[WetPaint]

Although I am new to this site... only been here a month or two...
I can see that one golden rule that all of our mothers taught us is severely lacking sometimes...

IF YOU CAN"T SAY SOMETHING NICE.... PLEASE SAY NOTHING AT ALL !!!
Now I am not saying that constructive criticism isnt allowed... but its all about how you say things that makes the difference.

Why would you find it necessary to insult people who are asking for our help... Do you think that yelling at someone for mistakes they make with their animals will actually incite a change in their care???

Sometimes in this realm of the internet, our meaning behind the typed words gets misunderstood, so please be careful of your wording and show everyone a much needed dose of HUMAN RESPECT.

Now.. if you are finding it difficult to be nice or at least treat everyone like you would like to be treated... then please come sit by me and I will be glad to help you calm your wording down to a decent understanding answer to whom ever needs our help on this site.

[Bailey-Boots]

I have removed some of the last posts due to bickering .. please try and keep this free from mud slinging Thanks guys

[Bailey-Boots]

Having read through the post I was just wondering if USA riding schools can take riders that are in the overweight (I just hate that word, sorry) category ? In the UK I would say that most of the riding schools have a 13stone limit (182lbs) When I worked at a riding school we did not take anyone over that weight. It was an English riding school though.

[ThisIsMe]

As I stated earlier..

Most riding schools insurance polices dont cover riders that are over a certain weight.

Not to mention the welfare for the horses that already have tough jobs.

[buddiebreeze]

i appologise cavalier i misread your post, i thought you meant 50lbs plus not kg, though i am not short off 50kg overweight seeing as i am 96kg, but i cant help but be defensive as most people would think 96kg on a fine 15hh horse was well over the limit and i want to prove that that is NOT neccesarily the case! my mare does just fine and i wish IGNORANT people would mind their own business! if we thought that we where hurting our horses OF COURSE we would STOP riding them...just cos we are FAT doesnt mean we dont care about them and put their health first...............ggggggrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! why do people have to comment on things that do NOT CONCERN THEM??? that is why so many overweight riders(myself included) are too embarrassed to ride in public! even though we know our horses are FINE with it!!!!!


if you dont know how it feels to be OVERWEIGHT do not make SILLY comments such as "i have no sympathy for those who have no self control"



and thanks to all that have said i look fine on my horse.......

[madvoice]

Just to say that not all of us larger riders are hiding in the shadows. In this pic I'm 85kgs and 170cm tall. That puts me in at 187lb and 5'7" for the imperial types. Pepper is 15.1hh and weighs around 500kgs (1100lb). She's also around 22 years old. Very thick boned and solidly built. Back when I still had Fry I'd often place higher than some of the slimmer riders purely on ability not size. I have read a lot of comments in this thread that have touched my heart and have been very mature and well thought. I have also read posts that have lowered my opinon of people who I thought would know better to say such things.

[horse_luvr83]

this is me and Crook, i have lost some weight since this pic. i think we are a fine team

[osage]

This is just for me personally..I have no idea about if it would harm a horse or not....
If I was 220lbs and under I would not feel soo bad riding a good sturdy horse...for me...until I get to that point I do not intend on riding at all.. just because I just don't FEEL comfortable or balanced...I feel like I am going to hurt the horse...and you have to admit no matter how fit a person is...if you are 250 lbs you are going to have a problem even getting ON the horse....so until that time I will just have to enjoy having my horses and not riding...if I never get to that point...well...I have horses that I take care of but everyone else rides..hmm...but that is just me...someone else who feels comfortable on a horse at or above that weight that is between you and your horse...(unless I get me a big draft..that's an idea)...
and like I said not to offend anyone...this is just how I feel for me...I have seen rather large people ride VERY well...but that is just it..they rode VERY WELL...and therein I think lies my problem. I don't want to hurt my horses while I am re- learning to ride...idk...I just love horses anyways...even if I don't ride right now..

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

Originally Posted by Bailey-Boots

Having read through the post I was just wondering if USA riding schools can take riders that are in the overweight (I just hate that word, sorry) category ? In the UK I would say that most of the riding schools have a 13stone limit (182lbs) When I worked at a riding school we did not take anyone over that weight. It was an English riding school though.

I've looked at some equine colleges and they say they have a weight limit but it all really depends how the rider holds themself on a horse.

I went to an equine college open house and one of the top h/j riders on their team was a pretty hefty guy...like well over the 200lbs mark, but he was doing the hunters well. So they do give you a chance.

I have a friend that is overweight, not bad, but you can tell. She rides great. She's awesome on horses, and she carries her self well on a horse so pretty much every horse(or pony) can carry her over a jump course no problem.

I was very hesitant to post on this thread...I do not look down on "overweight" people in the slightest...but I was afraid I would write something and someone would take it in the wrong way...I hope nothing like that happens with my post.

[Thrills]

I'll get brave and post my "hefty" rider photos!



I am 5ft5 and about 175lbs in these photos..the mare is about 15.1 HH



I have also to my knowledge never experienced any "overweight discrimination" at shows...I have always done very well...and the last time i was beat it was by a rider even "heftier" then I was...