Weight limits and height

When I was a rerider, I was concerned about my weight on the horses I was riding at the time. Even though the barn had a weight limit that I exceeded, they said I was OK since they thought I had a decent seat. But then they allowed a woman who had to exceed 300 pounds on one of their mares for a trail ride, and it was clear the woman had never been on a horse before. When we turned to go up a side trail, the woman overbalanced, causing the saddle to slip, and crashed hard. That poor mare. So much for that BO’s judgment on who could ride her horses.

After a disastrous purchase of a horse, I found my seat wasn’t good enough for my standards due to my disability, and I quit riding again. A couple years later, I took up driving. My Hackney pony had no trouble hauling me around.

Rebecca

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I’m a fluffy gal. I’m also short and because of how I carry my weight I look heavier than I actually am. I also have some muscle under the blubber. I claim couch potato status especially after long stressful work days but as part of my lease with a private owner I carry feedbags and I walk on foot and trim trails that are uphill and downhill and more of a hike than a scenic park stroll lol. Point being I’m not a complete sack of blubber I’m just insulated for the winter. :joy:

Barn owner knows my weight and she’s been in the horse business her entire life. She puts me on small horses/ large ponies. Especially if it’s a new one who isn’t being a sweet angel. Or one of the old barn regulars who has a tendency to buck and no one else wants to ride the adorable little turd.

When I first started riding at the barn I was worried I was too heavy and discussed it with barn owner. My first few rides I was on a larger saintly horse until she got to know my riding and evaluate it with her own eyes. (For what it’s worth I’m at the upper limit of the small horse and large pony weight limit hence me being worried about being too much). Barn owner also enforces the weight limits for her barn horses. She’s directly told riders they were above Dobbins weight limit when the riders have asked for a specific horse.

The private owner I lease with also knows my weight etc. she’s seen me in the barn horses so she also knows how I ride. I usually ride one of her small horses. A sweet adorable mare who thinks bolting is the bees knees. :joy:

The only barn drama I’ve been in was other people and rail birds telling barn owner and private owner I’m way too fat and I’m going to hurt the pony. None of the ponies or horses I’ve ridden have shown signs of being in pain etc. That was a concern of mine after the railbirding especially with the private pony due to how much I ride her. Her owner, her vet and her farrier all told me I’m fine and pony is perfectly happy with me on her. Except when I shut down an attempted bolt.

As for my riding background- I’ve been riding since I was little. I was lucky a family friend owned horses and would frequently invite my grandfather and me to ride with him. in middle and highschool I took English lessons. Then life happened and I was out of riding until my late 20s I became a re rider. Back into lessons too- both under saddle and groundwork. I’d rate myself advanced beginner or intermediate and mediocre at best. I’m not an elegant or pretty or fancy rider. The only thing I’m somewhat decent at is quiet hands and somehow I have a fairly sticky seat. I’ve sat bucks and spooks and spins and sideways teleportations at a full gallop on the trails on dainty catty Arabians etc. (I’m not tooting my own horn. Theres many riders way better than me out there. My trainer also says I don’t suck as much as I think I do but I’ve seen videos and pictures of myself lol)

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There are many components to riding.

There is balance and sticky seat.

There is problem solving and horse sense. Also the ability to change horse behavior and train.

There is versatility, the ability to ride multiple horses and new horses.

There is courage

There is correct form.

There is tactful use of the aids.

Many riders have some of these, a really advanced or professional rider should have all of them.

But you (g) can look kinda crap on a horse (especially if you are overweight) yet also be a good effective tactful rider. There might be say juniors who have a naturally nice position but fewer problem solving abilities and no idea how to actually train and change a horse without constant adult input.

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Great quote, when it’s -40*c a person needs PLENTY of insulation.

Sigh….wish I could say that was my issue, but it’s not.

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At some point, weight is weight and the height of the person does not matter. It is too much weight for that horse not matter how well balanced.
My inclination would be to have a statement that, say, 220 it the top limit for my horses. If someone calls and says that they are 10 pounds over but is an experienced rider, I might be inclined to offer a brief test ride if I had a horse I thought could manage it. More likely to do that if it is a local who might return than if a tourist.
Trying to analyze their fitness and balance based on BMI or height is not something I would care to deal with.

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