And clearly you have no faults :rolleyes: so only people who are very similar to you should be able to reproduce…
Wow.
Wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow
Why don’t we just forcibly sterilize everyone with an above normal (what the gov’t has decided this decade is “normal”) BMI.
I get the distinct impression that some of y’all are way too concerned about other people’s appearance. I can’t help but think that there must be something more interesting to think about.
I also find the definition of “obese” particularly interesting. The medical definition is much different than what the majority of y’all are are complaining about.
If any of y’all came up to me and told me I was too fat to ride my horse and I was abusing it - you’d get a fat lip for your efforts. Mind your own business.
Oh - and I’m not obese.
I think that we sometimes forget how young some of the people are on this BB. No true grown up would waste time making some of these childish comments. I see that the original posts have been removed, perhaps this is a sign of growth and impending maturity?
For definition of “obese” I’d say with heavy accumulations of fat to such an extent that they’re unfit. But if you want something more defined, then sort of greater than 2 stones above the “norm” height to weight upper end limit.
And all ruled out if over 30% BMI including experienced riders .
We use this guide when folks phone up for first lessons:
http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydie...htweightchart/
We ask height and weight but if its obvious when someone turns up that they’ve misled us or are unfit, then I just use my judgement - I don’t weigh folks though!
I have weight restrictions for all my horses and an upper weight restriction too and its lower for novices looking to commence riding (210lbs) than it is for experienced riders.
I’m quite fortunate in having some big horses suitable for novices so I can accommodate up to that limit.
If folks exceed the limits and are eager to learn, they’re pointed in the direction of the “Be fit to ride classes” that are run weekly.
With all of this stress on a horses legs/backs from a human adult that weighs 220 lbs, it is a wonder how the knights of the middle ages didn’t cripple their horses after every ride with their 70+ lb armor… :rolleyes:. Or maybe they all just weighed 140 lbs themselves …:lol:
There is no ‘one size fits all’ rule for riding… if you PAY ATTENTION to the horse, it will tell you…
Now 
Remember that it was post 15th century when heavily armoured knights came to the fore and in the main its a myth that men went on horseback to battle in heavy armour. Rather it was just a few nobility from medieval (predominently English) aristocracy went heavily protected in total body armour to see what was happening whilst their troops were at battle. For that job, totally different horses were used and in the main all huge great cold bloods - or as you call them “draft” horse breeds.
Indeed there’s evidence at Hadrians Wall - which is the border of England and Scotland ;)- that Roman troops were mounted on small Friesian horses between 14 and 15.2 hands in 150 AD. They were clad in light weight tempered leather and with minimal metal protection and NOT as I think you are picturing total metal armour. For those purposes NOT large horses and NOT heavy armour. And likewise at Flodden battlefield (1513) where the nobility was mounted in heavy armour - there’s evidence of BIG horses - you should see some of the tack and horseshoes that have come to surface!
But the mounted cavalry there were mounted on smaller horses and clad entirely differently.
And so you know this is what mounted cavalry typically wore. And not much different to a modern skull cap and body protector!
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/flodden_edge/armour.jpg)
So Thomas doesn’t like chubby people, good to know. fyi- overweight people can be fit. I know people who run marathons, mountain bike for hours, or who are aerobic instructors who don’t fit your BMI restrictions, I dare you to suggest they aren’t fit.
They just aren’t your preferred body type. So sad you are missing out on a huge group of wonderful, possibly talented riders for your horses because of your prejudices.
There is a wonderful exhibit of horse armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art until September. Some of the horses who wore this armor must have been enormous – I ride drafts and have been around a lot of breeds but none are big enough to wear some of this armor – one head piece in particular has eye openings which would be way below their eyes!
http://www.metmuseum.org/special/Armored_Horse_in_Europe/armored_more.htm
With the high level of ornamentation, this stuff was not for the impecunious.
[QUOTE=Ja Da Dee;2468157]
So Thomas doesn’t like chubby people, good to know. [/QUOTE] Wherever did you get such an idiotic idea?
a few nobility from medieval (predominently English) aristocracy went heavily protected in total body armour to see what was happening whilst their troops were at battle. For that job, totally different horses were used and in the main all huge great cold bloods - or as you call them “draft” horse breeds.
If you feel drafts can carry the weight of a person in armor, why can’t they carry the weight of a large adult?
If so, then why do you put a 210lb weight restriction on your own riders? Why not just get draft horses? Do you feel drafts are no longer suitable for riding for some reason?
In the US the average man weights 191 lbs according to our government (source). That is the average. It means many men are over 191 lbs, since 191 is just what it averages out to be. There are lots of close-to-average guys out there who are around 200-210. Your limitations would possibly ban them from riding. Is 210 a realistic number?
Have you looked at the cowboys riding out west? Many of them are over 210 easily. Add the extra weight of the big western saddle (could be 20-30lbs more than an English saddle). Add in the packs and other gear they bring along for a full day working on the horse… clearly this far exceeds 210 lbs. And those aren’t huge knight’s draft horses; they’re often breeds like the quarterhorse.
If a quarterhorse can carry a large man and work all day (and remain sound), why can’t lesson barns find lesson suitable horses for the large adults for only 1-3 hours worth of ring work?
Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that some people feel that heavy people have no right to the same exercise opportunities as thin people. 
MayS - just ignore it. They’re talking out their a**, pardon my crudeness.
I do respect the opinion of others - and in the case of lesson horses fully support the right of an owner to limit weight - it’s not my horse - it’s not my business.
The rest - well - that type of thinking has justified all sorts of discrimination. If someone doesn’t conform to whatever standard is in fashion or acceptable- they are kept apart and ridiculed. Currently - the folks in the crosshairs are the ones who are not very slender - for whatever reason.
In the end - what people are talking about isn’t fitness or health - they’re making value judgments based on a person’s appearance. “Obese” “Overweight” those are all very subjective words - except as used by medical professionals. When those words are used by laypeople - I find their perception of obesity or being overweight is overbroad. An average mature female with a pear shape might certainly be held up to public ridicule as “fat” - when she is perfectly healthy and within normal limits. So I take all this stuff with a grain of salt.
Personally - I’d rather folks just concentrated on healthy eating and staying active with lots of outdoor activities - which includes riding.
I think the term “obese” is being misused here.
A morbidly obese person would not be able to mount a horse much less ride one. I know; I have a morbidly obese relative (meaning she is over twice her normal BMI). A person who is just heavy can ride as well as any other person if they have coordination, balance and cardio strength. How they balance themselves is what affects their horse. I am not technically heavy (although in my premenopausal years I have put on an extra 20 lbs) and my “larger” best friend rides tons better than I do AND on any horse. So lets use the correct terms here. “Obesity” conjurs up the wrong image.
I agree - moonriverfarm.
Folks are tossing out the word “obese” like it’s anyone 5lbs above the middle of the range for their height.
I think some of us are comparing apples and oranges. There is a healthy, normal range for each height. Take 3 people - one on the low end, one in the middle, and one on the high end of that range.
None of them are “overweight” - and certainly not medically obese. Yet I have no doubt that the persons in the middle and high end would be held up to ridicule. I’d ask that people be specific.
People with true obesity - and I mean the obesity that dr’s are worried about - they’re not doing anything - much less riding a horse. And even there - there are people who are barely in the “obese” range - and those that are morbidly obese - and bedridden.
It’s nice that some posters aren’t eating white flour, or sugar, or eating lots of salads - all that is peachy keen. That’s healthy eating. But again - what folks are complaining about isn’t health. It’s appearance.
except most of the posters concerned about overweight riders are comparing a 5’3 150-180 lb person to a 6’ 220 lb person, the 6 footer being a good weight, and the 5’3 rider being obese. I’ve got a few extra pounds padding, but I am fit. I run 15 miles a week, and regularly gallop and jump my horse. I find it hilarous that people don’t think a 16+ hand warmblood can’t carry a 200 lb rider, stock horses have been carrying more than that for years … heck, tiny little Arab’s have too. I do agree that a horse with a sway back should probably have weight restrictions, as should animals with conformational issues … heck, some shouldn’t carry a rider at all.
This thread just shows again and again why so many women have eating disorders, society makes them ashamed of their bodies unless they are size 2 with implants so they have breasts.
I don’t think a 5’3" prson who weighs 150 lbs is obese…I was trying to compare two people of the same weight at vastly different heights for another poster who asked what the difference was between a 250 lb rider at one height and a 250 lb rider at a different height. Both masses will move and react differently.
I don;t have any issues with what people weigh…a truly morbidly obese person would most likely not be riding anyways due to health, joint and balance issues. I don’t consider the BMI chart to be an accurate indicator of anyone’s body type since it fails to take into consideration way too many factors. My husband registers as obese on the BMI chart…bordering on morbidly obese. He’s not even close to being obese. I do tease him for wearing square pants though. :lol:
As long as the horse is conditioned well to carry whatevr weight they’re carrying and the conformation of the horse is suitable for the rider…then the shape of the weight isn’t a huge factor as long as the rider is balanced. The excess weight will eventually be a tad more tiring to the horse, but if it’s conditioned that shouldn’t be a problem. (just as when lifting weights, the more weight on the bar, the more of a workout it is)
It would seem to make the most sense if those who are competing would follow the same fitness program they have their animals on since they compete as halves of a team. Not saying the rider needs to conform to a body type or size, but if the rider is insisting on the horse being on a specialized nutrition program and fitness level then the rider should do the same to get the best match in fitness for the team.
Is anyone else besides me old enough to remember that Three Stooges episode where Moe, Larry, and Shep were all riding that grotesquely swaybacked gray?
Good thing Curly wasn’t around. :winkgrin:
I remember that…the old Little Rascals (back when the show was called Our Gang) also had a horse on it soooo swaybacked…I couldn’t believe the dip in that back. If I remember right, it was a fleabitten grey. Two or three of the kids would ride it and they had a rope ladder on it’s withers they’d unroll to get on or off the horse. :eek: I don’t think they used trick camera work and mirrors back then…maybe they did. If not, that was one of the most swayed horses I’ve ever seen. :yes:
[QUOTE=KSAQHA;2468445]
Is anyone else besides me old enough to remember that Three Stooges episode where Moe, Larry, and Shep were all riding that grotesquely swaybacked gray?
Good thing Curly wasn’t around. :winkgrin:[/QUOTE]
I’m a huge Stooges fan and I remember that episode and horse. But they did make one with Curly with that swaybacked horse.
By the way, my favorite Stooges line. (Set-up–A ventriloquist was talking through a horse and wanted the Stooges to buy that horse. So the ‘horse’ was speaking to Curly.
Curly: Are you talking to me?
Horse: Yeeeeeeeeessssssssss.
Curly: Are you a good horse?
Horse: I beat Filly Mignon in the Porter House Stakes.
[QUOTE=MayS;2468255]
If you feel drafts can carry the weight of a person in armor, why can’t they carry the weight of a large adult?:[/QUOTE]Did I say they couldn’t?
If so, then why do you put a 210lb weight restriction on your own riders?
Because I choose to look after the health and welfare of my horses and the safety of my customers and I follow the advice and guidance of my Insurers and the British Horse Society.
Why not just get draft horses?
Because I don’t want to
Do you feel drafts are no longer suitable for riding for some reason?
Has this got anything to do with anything?
In the US the average man weights 191 lbs according to our government
And your point is?
There are lots of close-to-average guys out there who are around 200-210. Your limitations would possibly ban them from riding. Is 210 a realistic number?
Yes it is indeed for novice riders
Have you looked at the cowboys riding out west?
Yes and I’ve gathered cattle in Oregon at my friends’ ranches.
Many of them are over 210 easily. Add the extra weight of the big western saddle (could be 20-30lbs more than an English saddle). Add in the packs and other gear they bring along for a full day working on the horse… clearly this far exceeds 210 lbs.
Not the ones I’ve seen but even so your point is?
If a quarterhorse can carry a large man and work all day (and remain sound), why can’t lesson barns find lesson suitable horses for the large adults for only 1-3 hours worth of ring work?
Because cowboys can ride and hence are balanced and know what they’re doing and they ride horses that are fit and up to the job that they do.
A learner is not in the same category.
Feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but it seems that some people feel that heavy people have no right to the same exercise opportunities as thin people.
For goodness sakes get over it! My priority is my horses and then its the health and safety of my customers.
Thomas… you’re totally my hero.
totally.
more and more every day.
I think a little horse is capable of carrying a larger rider. I also beleive some larger horses are not capable of the same thing. I’m equating this to how some small people are very, very strong (lets say…a gymnast), but some larger people can be weak. I think with proper conditioning, a smaller horse would have no problem carrying a larger rider.
