weight and riding

I hear alot of people say they dont ride anymore because of their size. I am wondering what weight people feel is appropriate and inappropriate to ride. I am 399 pounds and I ride. I dont ride for more than about 20-30 min a day and I only ride my 12001b 16hh qh gelding or my fresian gelding, but I just dont understand why so many people give up and riding because of their size. I understand we are heavy that is why I dont ride for extending periods of time and I certainly wouldnt ride a small or out of shape horse. I am however looking forward to after my surgery and after my weight loss riding alot more . What do you guys think?? Carie

This is posted twice, I posted to the wrong place the first time. Sorry!! Carie, You are right it is all about balance and the use of your legs. If she wants to start riding English you might buy her a bareback pad and have her use that for awhile with out the leathers and irons. I would only do this if her balance is some what okay. If she has no balance what so ever do not use this method it will just encourage bad habits in beginner riders, such as holding on with the lower leg and perching forward, leaning on the hands, but it increases the risk to riders, with no stirrups to balance on or saddle to hold onto, to prevent the rider from slipping off. I think riding bareback is a reasonable teaching tool for intermediate and above riders who have already developed balance and proper position, but I would not recommend it for beginners Casual horseback riding is an activity which imposes few physical limitations on the rider and which can be enjoyed by almost anyone with an interest. Recreational riding at a novice level requires little more from a rider than very basic skills and the desire to share time with a horse. I think if you ride you should go with the 20% rule -- a 1000 lb horse can carry 200 pounds. Its more for safety issues not only for rider but also the horse. I hope this answers some of your questions. I live in Northern Cali and have had horses all of my 29years. I love them to death My uncle also teaches universal horsemanship ... check out his website if youd like at www.reisranch.com I hope to get to know all of you.

Hi, I don't ride mainly because of my back problems. I have degenerative disk disease and my darned legs quit working after about 5 minutes in a saddle. But I sure do remember the days I could ride without any problems. We have 6 beautiful horses that the kids and hubby ride, and I have "requested/ordered" that we get a cart for me to have one of the horses pull so I can get back into riding, just in a different way. I am so glad that you still ride, and we go with the 20% rule too, just how we have always thought, but I know there are some horses that can handle more or less depending on their build. A Fresian....oh, how beautiful. We have QH, App, POA and Paint. I love the variety! I have been trying to convince my husband that after next years foals are born, we need a draft horse....I have not convinced him yet....but I am working on it! Enjoy your rides, they are a great stress reliever!

Hi, I agree that being heavy shouldn't keep us from riding! I leased a big ole TN walker and then a big QH this past year before my surgery (I was 270 lbs). I figured the whole experience was great exercise--going out into fields, chasing the horse down, grooming, and then riding. I was TIRED afte3rwards, but felt very alive! The only problem I had was mounting. There was no way I could mount from the ground and swing my whole body up. The stables didn't have a mounting platform or platform. So I improvised by using the end of a picnic table. Usually I was alone and didn't mind this method, but would have been embarrassed if others were there. I'm not even sure if the owner of stables would have liked me using the table, but it was the only way up! Mags

Hi Maggie, I know what you mean about mounting. We put a 3 step stepladder in the trailer and trained the horses to walk up next to it. I am really looking forward to not needing it though. Carie

I personally can't weight to be able to SWING up on to my horse - that would be a big goal for me. I am pre op and 258lbs. My horses are quarter but not in great shape (my fault) and Just don't think its fair for me to climb on them. Now, if I had a big ole percheron or something I may reconsider, but until i am a bitte lighter i will refrain. Sara

First off Hi. Im new to the site and I just had my surgery on Aug 15th. But as to weight and riding I am only 22 but I have been horse crazy my whole life. I rode from the age of 3 till 15. When I got into High School and Track & Field ended up taking my free time. But I know part of it was I knew my weight was getting to be much. I was roughly 270-290 throughout HS. And most stables around here were all Arabian. Pretty as can be but far to short for my height and weight. So I havent really been on a horse since maybe my senior year, friend was having training issues that she knew I could correct. But anyways I bought my first horse in January 2004. A 16.1HH 1200lb Red Bay Thoroughbred Mare off the track but the catch with her is she is a rescue. When I got her she had severly pidgeon toed front feet (they still are just not as bad cause of a awsome farrier). Well when I bought her I weighed probably 350 but gained more. I always told myself I will not get on her till I loose the weight. Im not gonna make her go through discomfort because I want to ride. Plus she isnt lame now and I dont want her to become lame. Well when it comes to weight carriage I go by the 20-30% rule. Depending on breed, bone and weight of horse. In the case of my mare I give her a 15 percent rule. Normally I would base her on the 25% because of her big bone structure and very hardy nature but its thoes legs. 5 years on the track can cause serious wear on the legs especially ones that were never corrected. And thus I really never will ride her. I carry a very large bone structure and muscle mass on top of being obese. And I should always fall in the relm of weighing 210-230....less than that I would look very sickly. And I dont want my mare carring over 160 tops. I love her to pieces and want her around as long as possible. Luckily I got my eyes on a Percheron/TB cross I could get for free. And by the time I would be ready to ride it would be old enough to being training. But have to see how the chips fall. Sorry this was so long. Nicole

This last year, my horse has been my only source of activity. I truely believe that she has kept me alive. Just like a previous poster was saying, the going out into the pasture, grooming, tacking and then riding is a lot of work for me at 300lbs! But well worth it. I hate to think of where I would be were it not for riding. I am sure I am not the easiest to tote around, but my horse has never shown any behavior to indicate that it is a problem. She is 16.1h and probably about 1400-1500 lbs and very drafty. THICK bones. I am confident that she is OK. We have a very loving relationship and I would never do anything that I thought was harming her or making her seriously uncomfortable. By the way, I ride huntseat and use a four step stepladder to mount! (Or the tailgate of a truck, or a picnic table...etc... Lizzie

One reason is safety. My 17hh TB launched me off when I weighed 324lbs, breaking 3 rib*****turing a lung and winding up in the hospital for 5 days. I had been riding this horse for 7 years and at 17hh 1200 pounds he had no problem carrying me around as if I were as light as a feather. One while I was hauling my fat a$$ up on to him, a tractor came around the corner and scared him and he tossed me off. Now 5 years later, 127 pounds lost I am finally back in the saddle. Very tenatively at 1st as I had completly lost my confidence. I am glad to finally be riding again, and I'm suremy horse is happy for the 127 pounds off his load. ;)