Re: Touchy subject rider weight

 Riding light is one thing, but if someone weighs 20 stone then they weigh twenty stone. The horse still has to carry it, it just might be slightly easier than if it was slinging all over the place. People are getting sensitive because weight (technically mass, but let's not go there!) is very emotive. To the posters getting all agitated - no one has said someone cannot ride if they are big, just that they should not ride horses that are clearly unsuitable for them.

Re: Touchy subject rider weight

 This topic is going to make a fascinating article on my website :D

Re: Touchy subject rider weight

I'd rather be 14 stone rather than 6 stone. If I were 6 stone, I'd be too underweight with my height being 5 ft 4

Re: Touchy subject rider weight

Rio186 said:

One thing that does get to me are the 'weight-carriers' being ridden by inexperienced riders when they are in reality just over-weight cobs.  You cannot get an over-weight, under-worked cob and expect it to easily be able to manage a +16st man.  They often have enough weight of their own on their joints.

 

I think its much better to get a fit horse with very well developed back muscle (perferably a short back)... confirmation matters, but not so much if the horse has very little back muscle, and making a horse obese does NOT make it a weight-carrier!!!! ...

 

I have had my rant!  No offence meant to anyone.

This is verty true, you get the law of diminishing returns at work.  Elephants cannot jump in the air because bone is only as strong as bone whether it be a Shetland or a Shire. (hippopotomusses are different as they have solid bones with no marrow cavity)  IF you have a fit, strong up to weight 14hh Icelandic, he can happily carry 15 stone. However an overweight 16hh unfit warmblood will struggle.