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Lissie2

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Friend is desperate to try riding a horse. Normally I'd have no objection to taking a total novice out for a potter on lead rein. Thing is she is 17 stone. However horse is a very chunky 15.2 Crabbet Arab. What would you do? Would only take a total newbie out for a slow walk anyway but concerned about his back! I'm I being daft? Thanks!
 
A short slow walk probably wouldn't harm your horse. Personally I wouldn't subject my own horse to 17 stone and you are obviously not happy. I would just say that she needs to find a bigger horse to try riding. The thing is what if she really enjoys it and wants to make it a regular thing.
 
I would also say no way, the problem she has at her weight is that the normal route to try riding is a RS and most would not consider taking her either, she may find a trekking type of place will have something suitable, if she is a good friend maybe do some research in your area to see if there is anywhere and go for a short ride with her.
 
Lissie2 said:
I have no problem saying no...but she will want to know why �� Awks x
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Doesn't have to be awkward. Just say your horse has a 14 stone (or number you decide weight limit).

I have a few different people hacking my horses etc. And I am up front little horse has 12 stone weight limit, big horse 14 stone.
There is a little flexibility for short rides / experienced friends hopping on, but not a lot.

Having a weight limit for your horse, is no comment on what weight others are. It is just a fact.
 
Lissie2 said:
I have no problem saying no...but she will want to know why �� Awks x
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Just say your horse is too small for her - avoids any awkwardness. I woudnt get on anything under 16.2hh, unless it's a solid sort with decent bone, and I'm not 17 stone (although I am pretty hefty!).
 
Most riding schools near me have a 13 stone limit, which isn't much when it comes to male riders.
At 17 stone she is probably chronically obese
 
wingedhorse said:
Doesn't have to be awkward. Just say your horse has a 14 stone (or number you decide weight limit).

I have a few different people hacking my horses etc. And I am up front little horse has 12 stone weight limit, big horse 14 stone.
There is a little flexibility for short rides / experienced friends hopping on, but not a lot.

Having a weight limit for your horse, is no comment on what weight others are. It is just a fact.
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If she is genuinely keen to ride then you might be doing her the biggest favour of her life by saying no and motivating her to lose weight.
 
I wouldn't let someone that heavy on one of mine.
The other problem is if you say yes for one little ride then how do you say no after that to doing more and more?
 
nope nope nope. Sorry but i don't think it's fair on the horse. If you're not happy then I wouldn't let her ride. Unfortunately horse riding has a weight limit and she may struggle to find something to ride at that weight.

As LouisCat said, one little lead rein ride might not do any harm, but what if she enjoys it and wants another go? The more she does the more strain on the horse.
 
No chance in hell, and my horse is a 16hh Welsh Cob! Just say that your horse is too small for her - I agree it is an awkward conversation, just try to avoid the word 'weight' if at all possible.
 
I would definitely say no and tactfully give her the reason why. My mum wanted to sit on our little cob, but she is a wobbly RDA rider and we felt she was too heavy. We told her so (gently) and she has made it her mission to lose enough weight and had her first sit on Esme a couple of weeks ago :)
 
Like everyone says, no. If your horse was damaged by an unbalanced 17 stone rider, how would you feel? She knows she's overweight, you won't be telling her anything new if you say she's too heavy for the horse.

I'm not overweight but at 10 st I'm too heavy for a lightweight 13hh pony, and I'd be happy for the owner to tell me so. Simple fact, no way round it.
 
Agree with others who have posted. I would not let her ride my Cleveland Bays!!! There is a centre for trekking on Clydesdales, suggest she gives that a try for first time.
 
Definite no no. My RS has a 14st limit....and I wouldn't let anyone over 11st on mine. Just say that you'd love to see her get involved but there's a limit your horse can safely take.

There are a few (very few) places that will cater up to 17st so you could look around but they are very rare
 
I wouldn't have let someone who is 17 stone on any of mine: not the 14.2hh cob, not my old (reasonably substantial) 15.3hh Thoroughbred, and not my 16hh built-like-a-brick-you-know-what TB x Connie. She would simply be too heavy, and I would feel cruel expecting them to carry that amount of weight, especially in novice, inexperienced, bouncing around form.
If you don't want to use her weight as a reason, can you not say that your horse is unsuitable for novices? That way, you save any hurt feelings, but still have a valid reason for not letting her ride.
 
My vet once told me years ago an 8.5st poor rider is worse for your horse than a good 12st rider. They sit more lightly, an inexperienced rider will sit & feel heavier. At 17st so I wouldn't consider it either, but then I wouldn't consider it at 12st & inexperienced either but my horse has had back issues so I am extra careful.

Your horse will be muscled for the way you ride, a different heavier rider could put him out of kilter and then you'll have physio fees - I've been there and won't do it again!
 
I wouldn't let someone of 17st ride our 15.3 heavy cob!.....imagine if your horse started to have back problems afterwards.
 
Surprised anyone is asking this question, and I don't go along with how someone rides, 17 stone doesn't get heavier or lighter, it's still 17 stone, yes a better rider won't bounce around as much on the horses back, but it's still 17 stone on the horse.
 
Pedantic said:
Surprised anyone is asking this question, and I don't go along with how someone rides, 17 stone doesn't get heavier or lighter, it's still 17 stone, yes a better rider won't bounce around as much on the horses back, but it's still 17 stone on the horse.
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A really good rider will still weigh the same but can get the horse going correctly so it uses itself properly through it's back and is more balanced generally, so although the weight is the same the affect of carrying that weight will potentially be worse and more damaging with the novice than the experienced rider.

I still wouldn't put 17 stone on the arab regardless of how they ride.
 
About a month ago there was a tv program with davina Mcall ( can't remember name) but an extremely overweight man had to lose the weight and complete a challenge which was to race a shire horse at a race event- point being that the owner of the shire stables had a weight limit of 17 stone before they would allow him to ride.... And that's a hefty size horse!
 
be positive said:
A really good rider will still weigh the same but can get the horse going correctly so it uses itself properly through it's back and is more balanced generally, so although the weight is the same the affect of carrying that weight will potentially be worse and more damaging with the novice than the experienced rider.
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This, plus an experienced rider doesn't wobble about as much, meaning that there's less counterbalancing for the horse to do - at 17 stone, a proper wobble could make a horse stagger.

I wouldn't allow her on any of ours. She needs to lose weight if she wants to ride - though I would offer the chance to spend time grooming etc. if she were a good friend and wanted to be around horses.
 
be positive said:
I would also say no way, the problem she has at her weight is that the normal route to try riding is a RS and most would not consider taking her either, she may find a trekking type of place will have something suitable, if she is a good friend maybe do some research in your area to see if there is anywhere and go for a short ride with her.
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I haven't read all the replies so this may have already been said, but in the nicest way possible at this weight why should she feel entitled to find a horse that someone will let her ride. It's not their fault that she is so overweight so why should they be subjected to lugging her around. Yes some huntsmen maybe weigh up to this much but they are balanced, capable riders who will have a horse that is correctly schooled and muscled and is working properly.

My horse has a slightly sore lumbar region (he is under the vets for it) and I have been instructed to lean him up and to do long and low work. Now whilst he is 17.3hh chunky warmblood, I am under no illusion that my weight is not playing a part in it. I am 5 ft 7 and weigh 12.5 stone, I have already lost half a stone, and will get down to at least 11 if not 10... for his sake as much as my happiness.

Maybe you should suggest she use her want to horse ride as motivation, otherwise find another sport that she enjoys. (Some may feel this is harsh, but I am overweight myself and you have to realise the effect this can have)
 
Although i understand that crabbets have more than a regular arab, and all arabs are strong for their build, no way are they designed to carry that weight.
Even the trekking centre near me which has heavy horses doesn't take people that heavy.
Its a welfare issue and thats it.
Sorry but tell your friend that your horse woukd not handle that weight and you wouldnt want him injured. Advise that horse riding is a sport and requires a certain level of fitness and horses are living animals with feelings and unless you are prepared to lose weight then you shoudn't ride a horse, end of.
 
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