What Do YOU Think Is Too Big?

[UnaB]

After having scanned most (not all) of the "am I too fat?" thread I thought it would be interested to see what people think is too big, just right or whatever.. There seemed to be some very differing views on the other thread.

Im a larger rider, im happy to admit it. I struggle with my weight and lose the battle more often than not I have 2 lovely horses, one is my 18 year old connemara who was my competition pony when I was about 5stone lighter And the other, my young friesian who I bought as I feel I am too heavy to do more than an occassional hack and the like on the connie so I wanted something to bring on for the future.

I will make it clear that neither horse has any trouble carrying me at all, no signs of pain or discomfort and both get a back check every 6 months as part of their 'MOT'

But, I think im too big on this one.. He is still very willing and VERY forward going, but he is getting older now and im very conscious of that fact with me being a bit on the heavy side.

And about right on this one (though, of course, it would only be to the horses benefit for me to lose some pounds, im not blind to that fact )

Id love to know other peoples ideas, if you want to be brave and post your pics that would be great or otherwise feel free to comment on mine, im pretty thick skinned I thought it might be an interesting thread anyway...


ETA: connie is 14.2 if you squish him down a bit D) and friesian is a good 16.2. Im 5'6 and havent weighed myself but im definately the wrong side of 12 stone....!

 

[Jesstickle]

Personally if they were my horses I wouldn't have a problem with you riding either of them.

I'm little on my horses probably. I'm no lightweight but BH is built like a tank and is 15.3 so he's probably too big for me rather than the other way round! You can see me on him in my siggy so no need for a picture

Nitty is going to turn out about the same height. Pictures of her in PG if anyone cares to look. I'll be backing her. Whilst I'd rather be a bit lighter to start her I most likely won't be and I'm sure she'll cope

 

[rowy]

I think it depends on the horse. My very vey fine, 18 year old tb can carry me easily (5ft6 and 8.5 stone) but looks to struggle to possibly do more than hack with my mum who is about 10 stone. She does have quite a dippy back from having foals from when she was older. people have told us ideally she should carry not much more than 9 stone.

your pony doesn't seem to have too much problem carrying you in the photos and as long as you continue to get pony back checked and ask opinion of vet maybe then carry on riding him.

 

[UnaB]

Personally if they were my horses I wouldn't have a problem with you riding either of them.

I'm little on my horses probably. I'm no lightweight but BH is built like a tank and is 15.3 so he's probably too big for me rather than the other way round! You can see me on him in my siggy so no need for a picture

Nitty is going to turn out about the same height. Pictures of her in PG if anyone cares to look. I'll be backing her. Whilst I'd rather be a bit lighter to start her I most likely won't be and I'm sure she'll cope

I backed Una last year and it was a concern of mine about being too heavy, but I can honestly say she hasnt flinched at all with my hefty self on board Right from day 1 she showed no sign of not being happy to be ridden, not even a tail swish! I think Nitty will be fine

 

[mulledwhine]

I would err on the side of caution with pony, but you look just fine on the bigger boy

 

[miss_c]

More than anything on your Connie I would say you look tall - not a problem imo if you're well balanced which you appear to be!

I also know I am a 'large' rider (I'm 5'4" and heavier than most people think), and have recently lost 2 stone, with a few more to go if I'm perfectly honest. However I don't think the welsh one has a problem carrying me - this is after I lost 1 stone.

She's 15hh, 7 years old, Welsh Sec D (good old fashioned chunky one!).

One of the reasons behind my losing weight is that I want to be able to ride Titchy when she's backed, and at the moment I feel I am way too heavy to do so. Got another 6 months or so to shift the rest of the weight!

 

[UnaB]

I think it depends on the horse. My very vey fine, 18 year old tb can carry me easily (5ft6 and 8.5 stone) but looks to struggle to possibly do more than hack with my mum who is about 10 stone. She does have quite a dippy back from having foals from when she was older. people have told us ideally she should carry not much more than 9 stone.

your pony doesn't seem to have too much problem carrying you in the photos and as long as you continue to get pony back checked and ask opinion of vet maybe then carry on riding him.

Oh yes, I will carry on hacking him as he looks forward to that, I just dont over do it with him

 

[UnaB]

More than anything on your Connie I would say you look tall - not a problem imo if you're well balanced which you appear to be!

I also know I am a 'large' rider (I'm 5'4" and heavier than most people think), and have recently lost 2 stone, with a few more to go if I'm perfectly honest. However I don't think the welsh one has a problem carrying me - this is after I lost 1 stone.

She's 15hh, 7 years old, Welsh Sec D (good old fashioned chunky one!).

One of the reasons behind my losing weight is that I want to be able to ride Titchy when she's backed, and at the moment I feel I am way too heavy to do so. Got another 6 months or so to shift the rest of the weight!

She certainly doesnt look to be struggling at all there!! Fab little horse

 

[AndiK]

I think that it is important to note, OP, that you have shown the consideration I think that was being asked for on the othe thread when you type about your connie - I echo what has been said by the others in that you look tall on the Connie but your fresian is gorgeous and (without being rude) a weight bearing breed

I am a skinny witch (5ft 8 and 9.5 stone) and trust me not all its cracked up to be

 

[skint1]

Personally, I don't think either of you look terrible on the horses shown. I think the problem with the other thread was that the poor horse was quite elderly for the work he was doing, but I didn't see the photos, only the vids of a child riding him.

 

[KazzOnAPiano]

I have a 13hh gypsy coblet. I am 5'7. My feet don't come past her belly though as she is so broad. She carries me no problem, but I do feel quite close to the floor, especially after sadly having to sell my 15.3hh, who I felt much more suited to in terms of size.
I know I was definitely too big on my 12.2hh Dartmoor though, as she was narrower and that bit smaller. However I had to ride her a few times when she came back from loan to keep her exercised and she certainly showed no sign of being unable to cope with me on her back.
All the people who have posted pictures on this thread are definitely well within their horses limits from what can be seen IMO.

 

[lexiedhb]

Can not answer the question posed as there are way way to many variables to consider.

Think everyone here looks fine on their chosen steeds though....


Actually I lied- you look way way to big on Genie.... send her to me AT ONCE!!!!

 

[CatStew]

OP, I dont think you look that big at all! As others have said, you look a bit tall for your connie, but you both look happy enough. You are obviously conscious of your weight, but look much more experienced then the personage from the other thread.

I'm not exactly light, I'm 5'9/5'10 ish, the last time I weighed myself (a good 6 months ago) I weighed about 13 stone. I've lost weight and gone down a dress size since then though. I'm a funny size at the mo, size 14 is too big, but size 12 is just a little bit too snug. I'll be happy when I am a size 12!

 

[AndiK]

I've lost weight and gone down a dress size since then though. I'm a funny size at the mo, size 14 is too big, but size 12 is just a little bit too snug. I'll be happy when I am a size 12!

LOL - I quit smoking 18 months ago and I am the opposite... I have put on weight and now not quite a 10 but 12 is a little too big..... Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Gonna have to diet me thinks as all of my clothes are a 10

 

[Holly Hocks]

Sorry to hijack, but I feel really big on my horse - too fat for her - she's a 16.1 TB. Do you think I look too big on her? Although this photo was taken when she first came out of racing last year, she is now in far better condition like the second photo, but I have no ridden photos of her recently....I am getting neurotic now about being too heavy for her! I don't want to start another thread, but I'm getting paranoid that I might be hurting her and my friends are all too nice to say anything to me!

 

[Jesstickle]

God lord HH. Not at all! I'm much fatter than you and I'm going to ride my TB.

They aren't made of glass!

 

[AndiK]

Sorry to hijack, but I feel really big on my horse - too fat for her - she's a 16.1 TB. Do you think I look too big on her? Although this photo was taken when she first came out of racing last year, she is now in far better condition like the second photo, but I have no ridden photos of her recently....I am getting neurotic now about being too heavy for her! I don't want to start another thread, but I'm getting paranoid that I might be hurting her and my friends are all too nice to say anything to me!

You have the same prob as me - LONG LEGS!

You look fine on her I will see if I can find a piccie of me on my boy so you can pick me a part xxx

 

[AndiK]

Me on my boy

And me on the 14hh welshie sec D that I loaned when I was 22-24

Braces for opinions

 

[kerilli]

HH you look absolutely fine on her.
there are so many variables, it depends hugely on the size, age, bone, and conformation of the horse, and the experience (balance, style, body control) of the rider. although, i think there should be a cut-off point at vaguely 20 stone ish for even a percheron or similar heavy horse to carry. they can pull a lot more than they should have to carry...
btw, anyone wanting to lose weight, have a good look at the Dukan diet, it's chuffing miraculous, really well-thought-out (written by a French doctor), makes perfect sense, I find it easy to do, and i'm so happy that i gave it a go.

 

[Pebbles]

OOh HH you silly mare - you're far from heavy!! Miss C well done for your weight loss, I just lost a stone in preparation for my new horse and pleased I did as got a smaller, safer one this time to rebuild my confidence so its paid off, ideally another 12 lbs to go, good luck with your next loss too. Everyone looks fine on their mounts, all horses well and enjoying their work by the looks of it and you all ride sympathetically and balanced which makes a big difference to the horse too.

 

[Charliepony]

The connie I agree with you, fine for just enjoying riding but a bit big for serious work, though he doesn't seem fussed. You could double in size and still be fine for that friesian Both gorgeous horses!

The only pictures of me riding are from when I was little!! I will have a look though!!

 

[UnaB]

Can not answer the question posed as there are way way to many variables to consider.

Of course, there is way more than just weight of rider and height of horse to look at. I just found it interesting to read the views on the other thread, some saying the rider looked fine, others horrified she was even riding it.

This thread wasn't intended to give a definitive answer on the 'how big?' debate, i was just interested to see how we all compare on what we think our horses can handle. I think this thread will show that many people underestimate their horses, whereas clearly some think they can cope with more than it is obvious (to others at least) they can.

Thanks for everyone who's posted pictures, I personally think everyone looks just fine in the pictures you've posted on here

 

[blueneonrainbow]

Op you're about the same dimensions as me and I ride a variety of cobby things and think I'm fine riding them- they certainly seem to cope ok. In fact I rode them when I was 14 stone, now am just over 12 stone and the weight loss has done me and the horses the world of good so I'm aiming for another couple of stone ... Horse riding is perfect exercise as well! bigger people can ride, just satisfy yourself youre not under horsing yourself. Your friesian is stunning.

 

[Trinity Fox]

I recently looked in to this as i had a bit of an issue with an organisation that was allowing riders well in to 20 stone plus ride horses that were clearly not big enough their argument was that the horses didnt object.

This is not a valid argument horses are willing beasts and dont really have the capacity to make desicisions as to what can be doing them harm 20% of a fit horses bodyweight was a figure often used there hasnt been that much research done but there was a small study done to see if this was a realistic figure as it was believed it was set by the cavalry a long time ago and they found that above this weight horses had significantly increased heart rates laboured breathing increased lactic acid and suffered from muscle soreness for many days after so didnt think it was a good idea to go above this.

Rider ability fitness of horse etc were also facts to take in to consideration,width of cannon bone length of back and width of loin were the most important things in decicding on a weight carrying horse and the taller the horse becomes the weight carrying capacity starts to come down again.

I also never understand why people always refer back what horses and ponies used to be used for in the past horses were used as machines until they dropped, they used to sling work horses up because if they lay down were unable to get up and horses also broke the side bones in their legs being forced to pull massive weights they also used to put kids up chimneys i would like to think we have moved on, you also have to consider the farmers or adults that are referred to would not be the weight people are now we are all bigger heavier and even taller than we were in the past as we have unlimited food and junk food.

I do think it is becoming a real issue and for the first time in recent history that in some cases it is verging on cruelty, i do not think you need to be a skinny minnnie to ride just be sensible when choosing your mount and if you want to ride even though people can struggle with weight surely it is worth trying to keep your weight down.

Just because horses are willing to carry any weight doesnt mean they should have to and if you consider yourself a true horselover you wont expect them too.

And it is coming to the point where this needs to openly discussed without people being called bullies etc.

 

[Trinity Fox]

Forgot to say to op dont think you are to big for your horses the second horse could carry much bigger a rider than you. and you dont look as heavy as you are describing yourself i think it is when you start going in to excessive weight horses start struggling.

 

[miss_c]

Forgot to say to op dont think you are to big for your horses the second horse could carry much bigger a rider than you. and you dont look as heavy as you are describing yourself i think it is when you start going in to excessive weight horses start struggling.

Out of interest TF what do you class as excessive weight?

 

[9tails]

On the back of the "too big" thread, I was very conscious of how my mare acted this evening when we went for a hack round the farm. She is a 16.1 Gelderlander and I'm about 13 stone and 5ft 10. With my eyes firmly on her pricked forward ears and keenness to canter and leap the small logs in our path, I concluded that she's having no trouble carrying me. I would also like to lose a couple of stone, for my sake as well as hers.

 

[madeleine1]

hides behind pillow.

i rode this boy once or so a week for 4 or 5 month for 30 mins schooling as his owner was struggling but he made amazing progress and i let his little rider carry on. i know i was his upper weight limit but he didnt have any problems with me and id rather have ridden him then let him be moved on as they couldnt cope.

please be gentel and consider i dont ride him any more

also he was young and fit and im working on my weight

 

[Trinity Fox]

I can only say what i would put on my horses i would try to stick around the 20% mark if possible if a well balanced rider and a good stocky breed then probably a bit more, these figures come in at what i think is right and are what research shows is about right.

It also depends on workload what you expect the horse to do, the riders i had an issue with were mid twenty stone plus and were not riding weight carrying horses and when they mounted horses were dipping backs and bumping so not happy.

I keep a check on my weight because i ride and as i stated in previous thread my sister does battle with her weight but she really makes the effort to keep it down, i am not one of these people that thinks you need to be tiny to ride just to take everything in to consideration have good tack right horse and be honest with yourself and your horses capabilities.

Most horses i see are more than capable of carrying their riders and i am not one of the horses cant carry more than 12 stone brigade but there are some cases especially on sites like the curvy riders on facebook where riders on young horses are clearly too heavy and that is wrong the same as any other kind of mistreatment is surely.
And i am not a 7 stone spelk myslef

 

[Samantha008]

I dont know that all can be revealed just by looking at someone. Ima size 10-12-14 depending on where i shop (always a 10 on top, bottoms tend to differ) but i weigh 12 stone exactly.

Im only 5'8, and my weight has me as obese for my size. ( i think)

when people ask me to get on their skinny tbs, i politely decline and they always make a fuss saying i cant weigh over 10 stone. well i do...

I think you just have to use your brain. If you think youre too big for your horse, you probably are. Though not the OP or the girl on the lovely dark bay. Youre fine