Rider getting too heavy to ride-help?

[Emilia]

Snowfox, you might be interested to check Dr. Deb Bennett’s articles on conformation and what horses can or cannot carry. You can direct your student there, too, as a part of her equestrian education.

She had a great series in Equus a couple of years ago (2009), but I think you can find it online, too. She has a webpage.

She seems rather abrasive, but her work on equine theory is very good.

Btw., large horses, such as drafts, being suitable for heavy riders is a myth. They are hardly suitable for riding at all. A pony with a stocky build would fare better.

I was taught by old cavalry guys in Europe (my first teachers)- you want to ride, you keep trim and fit! I know, in US, people see it differently.

[Dressagelvr]

Most barns I know have a 200 lb limit for their school horses…regardless of whether the person is male or female and also regardless of height.

When it is a blanket rule, people don’t take it personally and the horses don’t have to suffer.

[mjs8]

We go by the general guide of 1/6 to 1/5 of the horse’s body weight (this is the upper limit), and then we take into consideration the following:
*Does the horse have a long or short back?
*Is the rider well balanced, or a rank novice who spends the hour leaning to one side and twisting trying to post?
Regardless of the rider’s weight fitting into the upper limits, if the horse is long through the back and if the rider is quite off-balance, it’s a no go. And we do require all of our riders to fill out paperwork that includes their height and weight.
Safety first - for the horse and for the people!

[arlosmine]

I have school horses too. They are my teaching partners, and I listen to them. If you feel that your horse is uncomfortable with this rider, be your partner’s advocate and intervene. Set a weight limit and stick to it.

I have a 14.2 hand, 1,000 lb Hanoverian X Haflinger cross. He is worth his weight in gold. I can put five year olds on him, and I have a 175 weight limit for him with adult beginners. If the rider is advanced, it doesn’t matter as much. I wouldn’t let anyone make him grumpy of unhappy…I couldn’t live with myself.

Happy, sound school horses who are respected will love their jobs, and are worth protecting. It doesn’t matter what ratio is “supposed” to work. You know your horse.

[Snowfox]

I know I’m on the smaller sizes but if you go by the 5lbs for every inch above 5 foot + or - 10% my normal weight would be 144lb–176lbs for 6 foot tall. I know that is a really lose guide so I don’t think my weight is really low. The 135 was but I haven’t weighed that in a decade!

[QUOTE=JBD;7299998]
You do know that your weight is very low for your height, don’t you? Back in my lean mean days I was around 125 and am 5’6". And that looks really thin on me. Much below that looks emaciated I’m currently 145 and trying to lose a few.

However if your horse is truly soured by this rider then you need to deal with it. FWIW many of my trainers horses try to move away when he is mounting. And he does weigh more than most of his amateurs but i think it’s something he does unconsciously that makes them move. And his horses do not act sour under saddle although I’m sure they appreciate a lighter rider sometimes.[/QUOTE]

[JB]

The rider didn’t suddenly gain 50lb from one lesson to the next - it was creeping up while she was taking lessons, yes? So, “never had to carry that much weight” doesn’t make a lot sense.

I absolutely agree with checking the saddle you use for this horse/rider combo. it may never have been a great fitting saddle to begin with, but at some point, the rider’s weight made it a big issue and it became more than the horse could bear.

I wouldn’t just jump to blaming the rider’s weight. That said, the horse may have some issue that precludes him from being able to comfortably carry that much on his back, no matter what.

[spotteddrafter]

I am 5’9" and currently weigh 238#. I am on my way on the weight loss thing (21# down so far) but it takes time and dedication. I also own a draft cross - a 1200# Percheron x Paint mare. She has never, not once, exhibited any signs or symptoms of pain or difficulty in carrying me. Now, I’ve been riding since I was 6 (am 35 now) and so have really good balance and soft hands. However, I still weigh what I weigh. For a time I also owned an OTTB, 16.1hh and pretty solidly built. Solid enough that my saddle actually fit him, except that he had shark fin withers and so when I sat on him in my saddle, it did hurt him. Changed saddles (with the help of a saddle fitter) and we never looked back. This was when I still was over 250, and he never even flinched once I got on (after the new saddle was in).

I tell you this because I would really suggest you look at your saddle fit on your horse. I have a strong suspicion that the rider’s weight is pressing the saddle down in such a way that it’s causing pain. It doesn’t mean that the horse can’t handle that weight, it means the saddle can’t. However, it is YOUR horse and really, you don’t need any reason to stop giving lessons to any person.

[ECarr]

I have a 14’2 TWH that I show heavily… I have ranged from 130-210 and he is fine!! Even at my highest weight we still won and looked good doing it. He is 15 and has no health problems or soreness… Just this year someone VERY heavy showed him and took first place out of a large group. I guess it depends on the horse and riders ability, etc.

[rugbygirl]

You know your horse best. A 6’ tall woman is an “outlier” body type. I know, I am very tall and have to be careful about what size/type of horse I ride…even when I am extremely lean. It’s not just the weight, but as a very tall beginner, you are often unaware of how badly you can unbalance the horse with an unstable upper body. Like a kid who is competing for one last year on a pony…it takes some skill in the saddle to compensate for being dimensionally incompatible. Beginners usually lack that skill.

I don’t expect a stable owner to put their horses at risk to accomodate me. Tell her the truth, as you see it, the horse is getting more sour as she puts on weight, and you don’t have another horse that can take her weight. It is what it is. Tell her she’d be welcome to continue riding with you on her own horse, or possibly on a leased horse, but that you no longer have a horse in your string that is suitable.

I wouldn’t expect her to be happy, and you will definitely lose a client…but if the horse can’t handle her, it can’t handle her. Better for both the client and the horse if she goes elsewhere and finds a horse that can handle her weight. She’s can’t be that overweight at 200lbs and 6’…so I am sure there are other stables in the area with suitable horses.

[rugbygirl]

A pony with a stocky build would fare better.

Not for someone 6’ tall. Sorry. Tall riders have a very hard time on short horses…and ponies are VERY short.

People need to ride horses that are suitable for their size and weight. A big, well-built, tall draft cross seems like a good place to start for a very tall rider. This one case isn’t really working out, and that’s fine…but to suggest a PONY in this case is pretty ignorant.

[CHT]

What do you want to have happen?

Do you want her to loose weight and keep her or do you want her to just go somewhere else?

If the latter, then I agree that Rugbygirl has the right approach: honesty.

IF the former, then give her some riding specific off horse exercises to do. Maybe dedicate a month of lessons (for everyone in your program) to working on fitness on and off the horse (such as have them to lots of “up up down” posting and two-point transitions). Help make fitness a goal for all your riders.

For that student, talk to her specifically about her size, and how, as Rugbygirl says, her height and weight make her more likely to throw a horse off balance, and how core strength is key. You need to help her find upper body balance.

Also agree you need to consider looking elsewhere to see why the horse is getting naughty to mount. Could be something in her technique that you need to address.

[columbus]

If the rider IS 200 lbs…

They are not too heavy to ride. That particular horse may not be comfortable for that rider…probably as much to do with their size AND uncoordinated beginner seat. Just because they are draft crosses doesn’t mean they are weight carriers…a weak loin or a back with weakness is not uncommon in draft crosses. I would try the rider on your other horses and see if there is a horse more able to carry…it is often smaller sturdy horses though traditional Arabians are known for carrying weight…so are Morgans and QHs. I had a little tank of a Welsh Cob I doubt would have problems. I was at 250 with my 15 hand Arabian…I had a strong core and an educated seat. Now my core is very weak and I am not riding and I would expect to spend a lot of time working at the posting trot. Frequently the issue is more with the riders weak core…they rock in the saddle…teaching them is your job. It is something the beginner can get by quickly with a good teacher. Stay away from sitting trot on the draft cross. PatO

[columbus]

Depends on what you call a pony. Most of the world is out riding on sub 15 hand horses and they do just fine. You learn to keep your shoulders back and stay in your heel…a 14 hand Welsh Cob is a lot of weight carrying horse even if you only see a pony. 14 hand Arabians won military tests over hundreds of miles in full gear. PatO

[amastrike]

I’d expect any average sized horse, especially a draft cross to be able to carry 200 pounds comfortably. I’m not doubting that your horse is having issues, but I would look to saddle fit and rider balance rather than pure rider weight. My 15.2-with-overdue-feet, crooked-legged mare had no problem with me when I weighed close to 250, but then my saddle fit and I was balanced and able to make her job as easy as possible.

Check your saddle fit. Look at how the rider rides. If the saddle is a good fit and the rider is balanced, and the horse still has trouble, then the rider truly is too heavy and you can go from there.

[RheinlandPfalzSaar]

I had a mare that hated heavy people riding her, she was just a princess and a lazy one!

[HorsePrerace]

[QUOTE=Snowfox;7299850]
I’m not sure about all that. I am 5’11 and 3/4 and weigh 145. Back in my lean mean showing days I kept it to 135. So I pretty much know normal height to weight ratios.
I have no desire to fat shame anyone. I just think there is a reasonable and safe weight to ask a horse to carry. And I am just trying to come up with a way to say it to her that will not make her feel bad or that I am judging her. I know how sensitive people are about weight.[/QUOTE]

Snowfox, I totally agree with you. I wouldn’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings but if the horse is hurting from her weight then I would say something…maybe to her parent (if she’s under 18). It is certainly not fair to the horse in this circumstance. Good luck.

[Jealoushe]

How can you be sure it’s not the riders riding skills that are upsetting the horse and not the riders weight? My friend is over 200lbs, very fit though, and rides a Perch/TB who is 16h and on the finer side and she does just fine.

[Snowfox]

I am sure it is a combination of the rider’s weight and the fact that she is a beginner. If I had a more advanced rider of the same weight I’m sure my mare would react differently, but the fact is she is a heavy beginner and the way she carries her weight on my horse makes my horse unhappy.
The saddle fits my horse great. It’s a 19in and the riders bum does over flow it a bit so it doesn’t fit the rider as well as it does the horse, which I understand is a problem. However I’m not really interested in buying a 24 in saddle (do they make those?)
Anyway, I have talked to her. I explained to her that at this point she is getting to heavy to ride my horse. I also invited her to work out with me and my niece who work out twice a week. We will see if she comes. I told her that nothing would make me happier then to get her back in the saddle. I also told her if she wanted to find another place to ride I would help her (She’s a struggling artist that I give a price break to because I like to support the arts, so I doubt she can afford anywhere else) Thanks for everyones input!

[amastrike]

[QUOTE=Snowfox;7305771]
I am sure it is a combination of the rider’s weight and the fact that she is a beginner. If I had a more advanced rider of the same weight I’m sure my mare would react differently, but the fact is she is a heavy beginner and the way she carries her weight on my horse makes my horse unhappy.
The saddle fits my horse great. It’s a 19in and the riders bum does over flow it a bit so it doesn’t fit the rider as well as it does the horse, which I understand is a problem. However I’m not really interested in buying a 24 in saddle (do they make those?)
Anyway, I have talked to her. I explained to her that at this point she is getting to heavy to ride my horse. I also invited her to work out with me and my niece who work out twice a week. We will see if she comes. I told her that nothing would make me happier then to get her back in the saddle. I also told her if she wanted to find another place to ride I would help her (She’s a struggling artist that I give a price break to because I like to support the arts, so I doubt she can afford anywhere else) Thanks for everyones input![/QUOTE]

I’d guess she’s a good bit more than 200lbs, then. Sounds like you handled the situation very tactfully :yes:. I hope she does work out with you and get into better shape so she can ride again.

[fire_911medic]

Sounds like you handled it very respectfully. That would put any of us in an awkward position for sure. I hope she does come to work out. If anything it will improve fitness. I would also suggest yoga to help make her more aware of her balance.

As for butt overflowing. Unfortunately some of us were blessed with ghetto booties (j lo butts) and despite being fairly fit still struggle with the fact we don’t fit the saddles well. It truly sucks. I ride in an 18 with a flatter seat which is not what I would like but what fits me and the horse well. I’d love to reduce my bum. Before you say anything I am 5’6 and weigh about 145 regularly run 5k races so I am far from a couch potato. I just have a bum. Any suggestions that actually work ? I’ve tried wall sits and leg lifts and your traditional stuff worked great for my legs not so great for my bum.