This email arrived on my desk recently:
I am writing you to talk about something that breaks my heart in a million pieces. I have a nine year old Haflinger mare, Edie's Rose. She is a very frisky little girl! We do everything together: English, Western, jumping, barrels, trails, roads, parades. I love this horse more then words can express! I am confident on her after having over-sized horses my whole life. I like her walking beside me and not above me!
But there was a problem…
About two years ago when I was a senior in high school, I struggled with seizures. My parents took me out of school because they were so severe. There were days when I was all alone in an empty house waiting for the next seizure or the next doctor’s appointment.
All the medications made it very hard to maintain my weight.
My horse was my only friend.
I have gotten so much hate from people saying I am too big to ride my horse. I would get this about once or twice a week and would hunker down in the corner of her stall and cry my eyes out and tell her how sorry I am that I am so fat!
Writing this makes me cry. I don’t feel fat but I have been reminded weekly that I am too big to ride. She is 13.1 and 900 pounds. I am 5’5”, 173 pounds.
We are an unusual couple.
So, I was just wondering if you could write an article about how to tell if you’re too big to ride your horse. Honestly I don’t believe I am too big, because she would not let me on her.
But I doubt myself.
I just wish there was some way to get the message out to people about how big is too big, depending on breed and build. I am sure others have the same issues as me. It truly, truly sucks.
Signed,
Meagan Smith
Many thanks to Meagan for having the courage, humor, and tenacity to write and continue to ride.
I interviewed Meagan and learned how she has taken many measures and done research to make sure she wasn’t harming her horse:
-- Steve Akeley, a solid horseman who works as an equine dentist and farrier, checked out Edie's Rose on a recent visit. Akeley felt she was doing quite well and noted no soreness.
-- Meagan and her barn manager check over the horse regularly, especially by palpating along the spine for any back soreness. None has ever been noted.
-- Meagan was right when she said, “I don’t believe I am too big because she would not let me on her.” Said Dr. Rachel Flaherty, of Maine Equine Associates, “A horse will show it. You
can see it in their eyes.”
Other indications include a shortened stride and struggling with corners, uphills and downhills.
But even if a horse looks uncomfortable, it might not be attributable to a heavy rider, Flaherty told me. It could be a poor saddle fit, improper conditioning, or muscular/skeletal issues.
“Each animal is an individual,” said Flaherty.
Horse weight and rider weight need not be directly proportional. In other words, just because you weigh 200 pounds doesn’t mean you should be riding a Percheron.
To be sure, consult a veterinarian or horse professional.
Happy Riding, Meagan!
Thank you for being so considerate for your horse. Tell people, "when she complains, I'll let you know..."
Megan,
People often say damaging things without putting thought to them. Thank goodness for our equine friends. You are a sweetpea for being concerned enough to face this painful fear and find out for yourself if there was a real issue. Sounds to me like you are far more thoughtful than many young ladies your age and I am sure you have a much happier horse on every level. That is what matters :-)
Happy trails!!!
You look great on her Meagan and she has a beautiful soft eye and her ears are forward, she looks very happy to be your partner. Congrats to your special relationship and happy riding! You checked out your concerns so no need to listen to any negative comments!
Meagan, you say that you weigh 173 lbs, most men of average height would weigh more than that, and many tall women could as well. I'm 5'11" and weigh 165, and have ridden all my life. I have NEVER even considered that I would be too heavy for my QHs. How many men do we see riding cutting horses, which tend to be smaller in height and bone structure than other Quarter horses? I absolutely think that your concerns are unfounded, and I'm so sorry that other people have been making you feel this way. Whether or not your weight is a health issue is between you and your doctor, but you are not too heavy to ride!!
Meagan, there are too many folks both horsey and not who think they know everything. at 6'4" tall and almost 300lbs I went the big horse route and after Both knees were replaced I gained more weight. Nobody else in my family felt comfortable riding her and by the time I thought I was, she wasn't. We found her a great home and I'm on the hunt again and every time I find a stocky 15.h-15.2 my "friends" say I'll look like the fat guy on a moped. All I want to do is trail ride and not show. Thank you for having the guts to ask the question and you have changed the way I will chose my next ride.Best to you.
I have read somewhere, don't remember where, that a horse can carry 20% of its weight. Thus a 900lb horse can carry 180lbs. Megan is 173lbs so well under the formula. If they are both happy.....
Go to it Meagan and God Bless.
I think that your horse would tell you if you were too big, so try not to let mean people get you down. You sound like you have your mare's health and well-being first in your mind, so keep doing what your doing!!
I have seen you ride, this past week end and it is a shame that you would ride your horse on the beach like that. In my opion you are heavy for your horse, the saddle does no fit properely. Galloping the way you do is going to cause your horse some serios issues if it hasn't already. I feel very sad for your horse, please reconsider your riding and maybe get a larger horse.
I totally agree with the above comment. Poor horse.