"Larger" Riders & Horse Health/Soundness

DesertBred · 03-23-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowgurly02

All the great big steer wrestlers/calf ropers I know (who are really the only huge men I know who ride) are very concerned about their horses. These animals are professional athletes and are taken very well care of. These men are more finicky about their horses than some barrel racers I know.

LOL, I meant they arent as concerned about their weight on the horse...I think most horse athletes, whether they are ropers, wrastlers or others are concerned about the well being and care of the horse. Maybe I didnt say that clearly enough.

MelissaH · 03-23-2006, 02:15 PM

I must throw in my two cents!

I sit here and read everyones post about being overweight. But I feel that the OP is talking about real overweight women. ME!

Sure many of you consider yourselves overweight at 150, 160 etc...but I would kill to be that "overweight". You are all a perfect weight! If you were me! I will be honest, painfully so. I am a 5'6" 240lb woman who just started riding a little over a year ago. I will not let my weight keep me from my dream. I have to admit that it is only now that I am really starting to concentrate on weight loss. I ride a 15.3 1/2 TWH who is built like a brick house. He is stocky and thick boned. I have worked my butt off at learning to ride, being balanced and being the best rider I can. I also have to say that I think I have done an awesome job. If some of you might remember, I was the one who almost came off 3 times in one day. All three times was a major spook that even my instructor thought I was coming off. Well I didn't. It was my learning and balance that kept me on. Picture in your head if you can a 240lb woman sticking like velcro to a horse that majorly spooks 3 times and don't come off. It was that balance that I worked so hard to get that kept me on. You read about them all the time. Heavy riders that have balance that are easier on the horse than skinny ones that don't. I would be proud to be one of those.

Female riders, my weight, are far and few between. I don't know why. Maybe they are too intimidated to try. I am not an english rider but i sure wouldn't want to squeeze my cellulited thighs into those tight little pants!

I want to lose weight to be a better rider, not because I care what other people think. I know of a couple of members on this board who are overweight like I am. I am proud that they stick with it and are so excited about learning and going on.

I

BklynCwgrl · 03-23-2006, 02:21 PM

Right On Melissa!

ThisIsMe · 03-23-2006, 03:02 PM

Regardless of how sound the horse may be with a heavier rider, it's the later years that really show the damage.

120lbs bouncing around in the saddle isnt going to do as much damage as 220lbs in the saddle, regardless of how well they're riding.

Very large riders tend to look sloppy, regardless of how well they ride. Call me rude, but it's extrememly hard for a judge to look at the horse when the rider has extra bits flopping around.....big chested riders included!

If you have problems losing weight, go see your doctor. Some dramatic lifestyle changes have to be made, or there's an underlying problem there somewhere.

I'm not a stick, I have to eat healthy and exercise so I dont gain weight. It's tough not being able to lose weight but where there's a will theres a way.
Your horse will be much sounder in the long run.

Lindsayanne · 03-23-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisIsMe

Very large riders tend to look sloppy, regardless of how well they ride. Call me rude, but it's extrememly hard for a judge to look at the horse when the rider has extra bits flopping around.....big chested riders included!

You're rude! Sorry all of us can't fit in your perfect horse show world and be pencil thin with no hint of femininity. Guess those of us without rail thin boy-chested figures will have to give up what we love...

Wow, you just totally changed my perspective of you. I'm so disappointed.

ThisIsMe · 03-23-2006, 03:11 PM

Showing is all about image and looks. It's a simple fact that some judges cant see past larger riders not looking tidy in the saddle.

You rarely see a larger eventer. Not only does the horse have to be fit, so does the rider. An unfit larger rider bouncing around is going to have bad effects on the horse and the ability for it do XC.

buddiebreeze · 03-23-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThisIsMe

Very large riders tend to look sloppy, regardless of how well they ride. Call me rude, but it's extrememly hard for a judge to look at the horse when the rider has extra bits flopping around.....big chested riders included!

yes, that is RUDE! certainly wouldnt want you as a judge.....................as for the big chested riders- are you sure you aint just envious?

Moonshine Zeus · 03-23-2006, 03:22 PM

Persoannly i will strive to stay the weight i am for my horses! ofcourse horses are capeble of carrying the weight i am capeble of carrying say 5 kilos i can but i am much more happy carrying 1 kilo@

buddiebreeze · 03-23-2006, 03:22 PM

you can be large AND fit you know! maybe YOU havent seen many large eventors, but you DO get them! i mean how many albino eventors do you see? NOT many im sure, but i know one- just because to find someone in a "category" is far and few between, doesnt effect how well they ride- who are you to make these sort of statement? its probabley because of people like you that you dont see so many LARGE eventors, shame on you girl!

Lou3 · 03-23-2006, 03:23 PM

Thisisme I think we've gone slightly off topic here. For the sake of keeping things "nice" lets stick to the original topic of soundness issues.
On this topic, 120lbs can do just as much damage as 220lbs if the rider lands wrong in the saddle. Although effects from this are more likely to be seen immediately and treated as an injury while it is true effects from asking a horse to carry too much weight will be seen gradually and usually treated as degeneration.
Also I would like to add that I am overweight and have reached world level in mounted games which requires a greater level of agility (although not necessarily fitness/balance etc) than any other competitive equine sport. My team placed 7th in the world in 2001 and in 2000 my partner and I placed 14th in the world pairs championships.
(and yes big chests are often a distraction to MALE judges - although I have found this to work in my favour rather than against me ... The one judge I think I can honestly say was biased AGAINST my larger bosums was a very flat chested elderly woman!)

03-23-2006, 02:15 PM	#42
MelissaH Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2004 Location: SoCal Posts: 4,723 Images: 163 Blog Entries: 4	I must throw in my two cents! I sit here and read everyones post about being overweight. But I feel that the OP is talking about real overweight women. ME! Sure many of you consider yourselves overweight at 150, 160 etc...but I would kill to be that "overweight". You are all a perfect weight! If you were me! I will be honest, painfully so. I am a 5'6" 240lb woman who just started riding a little over a year ago. I will not let my weight keep me from my dream. I have to admit that it is only now that I am really starting to concentrate on weight loss. I ride a 15.3 1/2 TWH who is built like a brick house. He is stocky and thick boned. I have worked my butt off at learning to ride, being balanced and being the best rider I can. I also have to say that I think I have done an awesome job. If some of you might remember, I was the one who almost came off 3 times in one day. All three times was a major spook that even my instructor thought I was coming off. Well I didn't. It was my learning and balance that kept me on. Picture in your head if you can a 240lb woman sticking like velcro to a horse that majorly spooks 3 times and don't come off. It was that balance that I worked so hard to get that kept me on. You read about them all the time. Heavy riders that have balance that are easier on the horse than skinny ones that don't. I would be proud to be one of those. Female riders, my weight, are far and few between. I don't know why. Maybe they are too intimidated to try. I am not an english rider but i sure wouldn't want to squeeze my cellulited thighs into those tight little pants! I want to lose weight to be a better rider, not because I care what other people think. I know of a couple of members on this board who are overweight like I am. I am proud that they stick with it and are so excited about learning and going on. I __________________ So unless your normal riding route is a haven for wild tarps on the loose or domesticated tarps that someone has let off their leash, I'd give poor Dubie a break and let him have his one phobia.~Liz

03-23-2006, 02:21 PM	#43
BklynCwgrl Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: 85 miles northeast of Los Angeles Posts: 3,672 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 15	Right On Melissa! __________________ I am the FOUNDING MEMBER AND CEO of the FF club (FFFL) I miss you Rosie RobIn

03-23-2006, 03:22 PM	#48
Moonshine Zeus Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 3,221 Images: 73 Blog Entries: 2	Persoannly i will strive to stay the weight i am for my horses! ofcourse horses are capeble of carrying the weight i am capeble of carrying say 5 kilos i can but i am much more happy carrying 1 kilo@ __________________ God has given me 6 angels Zeus, Mystal, Lynx, Rocket, Rolo, Harry I LOVE YOU GUYS! RIP {Cat} Gone but not forgotten! R.I.P {Crunchie} One in a million, may you roam and look down on Julz and wait for her...

03-23-2006, 03:23 PM	#50
Lou3 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 7,097 Images: 30 Blog Entries: 1	Thisisme I think we've gone slightly off topic here. For the sake of keeping things "nice" lets stick to the original topic of soundness issues. On this topic, 120lbs can do just as much damage as 220lbs if the rider lands wrong in the saddle. Although effects from this are more likely to be seen immediately and treated as an injury while it is true effects from asking a horse to carry too much weight will be seen gradually and usually treated as degeneration. Also I would like to add that I am overweight and have reached world level in mounted games which requires a greater level of agility (although not necessarily fitness/balance etc) than any other competitive equine sport. My team placed 7th in the world in 2001 and in 2000 my partner and I placed 14th in the world pairs championships. (and yes big chests are often a distraction to MALE judges - although I have found this to work in my favour rather than against me ... The one judge I think I can honestly say was biased AGAINST my larger bosums was a very flat chested elderly woman!) __________________ Do not condemn another persons culture until you have lived a lifetime in their shoes. FFFL

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03-23-2006, 03:02 PM	#44
ThisIsMe Banned Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 2,456 Images: 118	Regardless of how sound the horse may be with a heavier rider, it's the later years that really show the damage. 120lbs bouncing around in the saddle isnt going to do as much damage as 220lbs in the saddle, regardless of how well they're riding. Very large riders tend to look sloppy, regardless of how well they ride. Call me rude, but it's extrememly hard for a judge to look at the horse when the rider has extra bits flopping around.....big chested riders included! If you have problems losing weight, go see your doctor. Some dramatic lifestyle changes have to be made, or there's an underlying problem there somewhere. I'm not a stick, I have to eat healthy and exercise so I dont gain weight. It's tough not being able to lose weight but where there's a will theres a way. Your horse will be much sounder in the long run.

03-23-2006, 03:11 PM	#46
ThisIsMe Banned Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 2,456 Images: 118	Showing is all about image and looks. It's a simple fact that some judges cant see past larger riders not looking tidy in the saddle. You rarely see a larger eventer. Not only does the horse have to be fit, so does the rider. An unfit larger rider bouncing around is going to have bad effects on the horse and the ability for it do XC.

03-23-2006, 03:22 PM	#49
buddiebreeze Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sunny Scotland (UK) Posts: 2,510 Images: 113	you can be large AND fit you know! maybe YOU havent seen many large eventors, but you DO get them! i mean how many albino eventors do you see? NOT many im sure, but i know one- just because to find someone in a "category" is far and few between, doesnt effect how well they ride- who are you to make these sort of statement? its probabley because of people like you that you dont see so many LARGE eventors, shame on you girl!