There are many myths that have been going around with regards to saddlery and the use thereof. In this series of posts, I endeavour to show most of them are without foundations and can, in some cases, be the opposite of the actual facts.
Pictured right is author Kay Hastilow, Master Saddler and Master Saddle Fitter.
The Elephant In The Room...
This is a very sensitive topic and one that I have been avoiding as it’s easy to give offence, but it is so important to our horse’s welfare that it must be addressed. I am talking, of course, about rider weight and its influence on the horse’s wellbeing, ability to perform the tasks we ask of him and yes – saddle fitting.
Many horse owners work so hard to keep their horses, often rising at silly o’clock to go and see to the needs of their beloved neddy, work long hours to earn enough to keep him then do the morning run in reverse, possibly managing to get a bit of time to ride somewhere in that schedule. Husbands and occasionally children tend to come second, their needs often being shaped around those of the horse. I applaud you all for your dedication and sheer work ethic – certainly you don’t very often see such horses in anything other than superb condition and they rarely want for anything.
Somewhere in this maelstrom of horse/ work/ horse/ family will be several cups of coffee, usually cappuccino or latte and probably sandwiches, filled rolls, pastries, burgers with fries, crisps and the like. Rarely does such a person eat a sensible breakfast, lunch or dinner; in fact sitting down to a meal tends to be a bit of a luxury. It’s more grazing and having a car full of nibbles to keep you going. Then of course there are the shows and events – more burgers and chips. Not often a ‘healthy option’ and honestly, who wants a salad after all of the exertions of competing? A note here. I am speaking about myself as much as anyone else as I certainly had a stash of comfort food in the truck and was often thrilled to see a McDonalds on the horizon, so this certainly isn’t preaching on my part. Just telling it as it is.
Almost without exception my larger clients have been the loveliest people. Kind, generous and fantastic horse people. Many of them have had a terrific eye for a horse and bought the most beautiful animals who live the life of Riley – except that the riders are too heavy to ride them without unwanted side effects. We see this particularly with the saddle fitting, when the initial fit is, let’s say a standard wide fit saddle on a flattish tree. Three months down the line there is a dip starting to appear under the centre of the saddle and they have gone down to a M/W or M fitting. After a year this is a considerable dip to which the flatter treed saddle no longer conforms. A new, dippier treed saddle is needed and this time it’s essential for it to have dropped, thoroughbred panels and longer tree points, as the muscles behind the shoulders are beginning to atrophy. After a couple of years, say, the horse’s top line has totally gone. No muscle and a very dipped back, and possibly or probably having issues with soundness and loss of performance. Owner upset. Saddle fitter upset as we hate to see this type of thing, and I doubt if the horse is very happy about it either. Now let me be clear, we are talking GOOD riders here. Well balanced and secure – as one said to me when I complimented her on her riding and balance “if I didn’t have good balance I would be on the deck all the time as I’m so top heavy!” These are good horsemen who work their horses on the lunge and long reins with schooling aids to try to build top line. Feed them well, massage and groom, visits from the physio, in fact they do everything to try and improve their horses except for the one thing that will really help – lose weight!
Those that know me will tell you that tact and diplomacy are not my strong suits (you noticed!) and yet I do try to carefully have that conversation. You know the type of thing. “Perhaps you are a little heavier than is ideal for him? Perhaps we need a larger saddle. Have you considered a weight reduction programme?” See, that’s not a very tactful way to go about it I know, but no one yet has given me a suitable approach to this topic. If I ask “Well, what would you say?” the critics run for the hills, not wanting to touch this subject with a barge pole. It is just forbidden to mention it. And yet? If these people see a horse being abused by someone they will be on social media in a twinkling, roundly condemning such abuse – recently a respected trainer was vilified for sitting on a dead horse. Wrong? An error of judgment? Yes, but for sure the horse didn’t suffer by this action. None the less we know that asking the horse to carry an overweight rider is causing him harm and discomfort and will ultimately cause such damage to him that he could either need months of rehabilitation or worse, be totally broken. Why is this different? Physical abuse and excess rider weight both cause discomfort and distress to the horse, but nobody will say a word about weight for fear of being called judgemental – mentioning rider weight is just NOT ALLOWED! However, if our heavier riders were to lose some weight a large number of our saddle fitting problems would disappear overnight. In truth, they aren’t really ‘saddle fitting’ problems at all, just excess rider weight problems.
You see how I am thinking here?
For riders that care however, how can we find the correct weight that our horse can carry? Is there a formula that you can use? Not easy, that one. There was talk that a horse could carry 15% of its total bodyweight but all that happened with this was that people gave their horses more feed to increase their weight, often making the horse obese so that by using that formula they could carry the weight of that rider! The sums add up, but now we have an unhealthy horse having to carry their own excess weight as well as the heavy rider. Unintended consequences! It also doesn’t take into consideration the horse’s build, so a big boned cob can carry more than a fine thoroughbred although they might measure the same on a weight tape. We have tried to find a successful formula, but no one has managed it yet that I am aware of.
Dr Sue Dyson and her team did some preliminary research on this topic a couple of years ago. Three good riders, a lightweight, medium and heavyweight and they rode an assortment of horses over a couple of days. The research is there to look up if you wish so that you can see all of the protocols that were used. In every case I believe they had to stop the set programme that was supposed to be ridden when the heavy rider was on as the horses all showed negative reactions by Sue’s ethograms – his comfort and well-being were being compromised and in research work you must NOT continue with experiments that do this. This was a good rider with a short, ridden programme, so what is happening to our own horses if we are a bit, or perhaps more than a bit overweight?
This is not going to be a popular post as this topic is totally taboo, but someone has to start this conversation. Our horses want for nothing in care, feeding, matchy matchy wardrobes, more clothes than I have for certain but in so many cases the one thing that we could do to REALLY help our horses is ignored, not acknowledged, pushed to one side or denied, and that is to look at ourselves. I’m not going to suggest ways to lose weight, suggest that you do this or that form of exercise to slim and get a bit fitter. Lord knows, there’s more than enough information out there on this topic but I just ask you to take a quiet moment and look at yourself. Stand on the scales and decide for yourself if YOU are causing your horse discomfort or possibly injury.
Over to you!
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It is a brilliant post and echoes what I have been saying for years. xx
ReplyDeleteHello Kay,
ReplyDeleteAlthough I respect your opinion and your profession, I do not agree with your post for many reasons.
Let me begin by asking why did you feel the need to distinguish between your “larger clients” and the rest of them?
“Almost without exception my larger clients have been the loveliest of people “.
I will let you read that again.
What you are eluding to here, even if it is not intentional, is that you as a professional categorize the worth of your clients by their size. Would you make a comment saying that “the majority of my smaller clients are lovely”? Probably not.
One of the paragraphs that really stood out to me was this one: “These are good horsemen who work their horses on the lunge and long reins with schooling aids to try to build top line. Feed them well, massage and groom, visits from the physio, in fact they do everything to try and improve their horses except for the one thing that will really help – lose weight!”
This paragraph stung as, well, the paragraph before was talking about how we as “larger” riders often can’t keep a top line on our horses because of our weight and the only real thing we can do to change that is lose weight. I know riders who are smaller and are great riders but they also can’t keep a top line on their horse... Want to know why? Because it has less to do with the weight of the rider and more to do with how effective you ride and what your horse is being fed (as well as exercises, quality of hay, supplements etc...) Please find other sources to support your argument as well because the one study that you stated wouldn’t hold up scientifically (too small of a sample size (I just love how you elude to the fact that there are only 3 main body types) as well as the fact that there is no control group etc..)
Kay, I am sorry, but, I have had an amazing saddle fitter who is also plus sized who has ensured that any of the horses I ride have an effective saddle that is fit to me as well as my horse in order to prevent the dip of the saddle you talk about. Maybe it is because she understands the importance of prolonged saddle fit or maybe it is because she herself is as you say “larger” so she understands how to fit for a different body type other than the “perfect equestrian body”. Regardless of the reason, she has never once made me feel as if I was any less of a horse owner or rider because of my size. In fact, I felt more comfortable with her than I had any other saddle fitter because she understood rather than judged.
Maybe if more saddle fitters understood the implications of the language they use their clients wouldn’t feel as if they were less. They wouldn’t be afraid to ask questions about the fit because they wouldn’t be afraid that the only answer that they would get would be “lose some weight” or “try eating healthier”.
Kay, please do not EVER ask one of your clients if they have “considered a weight reduction program” because you have no place in their life to be doing so. You are not a medical professional and you have no insight into their physical or mental health history. It is not your job.
I can tell you for certain that as a plus sized rider that there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about if I am too big to be riding or how I can lose weight. We don’t need you to remind us, because, Kay, it’s already on our mind and we are almost certain it is on yours as well.
By the way, we, the ones you call “larger riders” love it when you compare us to the largest animal in the animal kingdom...
We are not the elephants in the room, your ignorant use of fat shaming language is what you have brought to light in this article.
EVERY body is an equestrian body
Sincerely,
The elephant in the room who is breaking through the walls of Equestrian fat shaming
From your offended reply I guess you must be an overweight rider? Stop being so offended and deflecting blame onto Kay by blaming her for your guilty feelings. Re-read what Kay has written. She distinguished between 'larger clients' and the rest of them because she is talking to 'larger clients'. What else would you have her say? Fat clients? I'm sure you would have been VERY offended at that word. Kay is trying to be kind and diplomatic but because you feel she is talking to YOU personally and because you are overweight and obviously feel a tad guilty about it you attack HER!!! Your own saddle fitter sounds lovely.....but is she being kind to YOU rather than your horse because she too is in the same position of being overweight and is unable to mention your weight may be a factor for fear of sounding hypocritical? Kay has every right to mention, as kindly as she can, to a client that their weight may be a factor. She does not have to be a medical professional to see what is right in front of her eyes. After all YOU are not a medical professional (I presume?) but don't need them to tell you that you are overweight. 'Elephant in the room' is a term to describe something so obvious that its hard to miss....it is NOT meant as a derogatory word to describe an overweight person..........your offence at that expression says more about your guilt and determination to be 'offended' than anything. Sorry if I have offended you but I get so mad when someone reacts like you have to Kays article with a skewed version of it in their head because they are offended and feel they have been referred to personally when they quite clearly have not :(
Delete👏👏👏👏👏
DeleteLet me be clear the round of applause is for Smacl050, not this trash or some of the reply comments.
DeleteI wanted to ride again but I was FAT!! I was 75kg. I lost weight over about 6 months, and got down to 55kg, which I try to maintain, even though it’s DIFFICULT. THEN I bought a horse. I was fitter and more agile than I was at 75kg. Stop making excuses for being overweight, it’s NOT good for your horse. It takes self discipline to lose weight, it’s not easy, just step up and meet the challenge for your own sake and your horse’s.
Delete@S.E Murphy. To call a very good article "trash" is the height of rudeness and so sorry you are in disagreement with 'some of the reply comments' but that is your opinion and your right to express. Try being less rude about your responses though ;)
DeleteNo one can honestly argue that a horse isn't more comfortable with a competent light weight rider than a competent heavy weight rider. Simple. Not fat shaming, this is an animal welfare issue.
ReplyDeleteYes one can. A lighter rider can absolutely cause damage to the horses spine, mouth, and cause a host of other tipped domino physical issues if they do not have a balanced seat and soft hands. I’ve seen smaller riders ride horribly and cause physical damage to their horses, and heavy riders cause none with a better balanced seat and better overall riding skills..
DeleteLisaMo you haven't read Caro's comment properly.
DeleteShe was comparing competent LW vs competent HW riders.
Those issues you say an incompetent lighter rider can cause are multiplied in a heavier incompetent rider, so your point does not hold weight (pardon the pun!)
Good post..
ReplyDeleteI realise weight can be an emotive topic, but there is not a right to ride horses at any weight. That's an incredibly narcissistic perspective.
If you love riding it should be the ultimate motivation to lose weight.
Is that because you think a whole world of judgment is not reason enough?
DeleteI think that believing fat people don’t loose weight because we don’t have enough motivation is a narcissistic mindset.
I do believe that horses and riders should be matched on multiple levels, I also believe that misconceptions about bodies and minds are the biggest barriers to improving the health and well-being of all riders.
Estelle, I disagree. If you want something enough (within reason) you have to take responsibility, be proactive and take the requisite steps.
DeleteIt is hard work and there may be psychological barriers. These can be overcome if it is a priority.
We have one life and body and should try to optimise the enjoyment we can get from both.
As a side note, my sister is a vet and notes that in many orthopaedic referrals of horses displaying mild lameness, where the horse and often owner are overweight- this should be addressed before referring (and may indeed resolve the issue)
Well done for being brave and raising the issue. Some people will always pick your words apart and look for things to find offensive. Clearly you are not fat shaming but trying to raise a welfare issue whilst being compassionate and understanding to riders who are too heavy for the horses they ride. Sometimes facts are facts, welfare is welfare and needs to be addressed. Well done
ReplyDeleteThis is a great article. Well done for dealing with this issue with concern and compassion- for rider and horse. Its not an easy topic to discuss. I work hard to keep my weight below 9 stone...not just for my horse. I'm in my 60s so can't eat as much as I would like. Its not easy but being overweight isn't easy either.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that lighter riders are usually easier for a horse to carry, but balance & rhythm , coupled with a saddle tree that adequately distributes the rider's weight can really mitigate the problem. The late Dick Clark was a rancher & cutting horse trainer who weighed 285 pounds. His ability as a rider , coupled with saddle trees which distribute weight adequately, made him a much lighter rider than most people half his weight. He rode cutting horse saddles built by the great saddle maker, Chuck Stormes , who built 28 saddles for Dick. Each one built to fit different backs. Chuck also builds his own trees. On one occasion Dick was checking cattle a few miles from home on a Montana ranch. His horse, Punk , slipped & broke his left hind pastern. The injury made walking impossible, but Dick was such a balanced rider that he was able to canter Punk on 3 legs in the opposite lead. After getting home, he fitted a cast to Punk's leg. After healing, he used him as a cutting horse for about 14 years. So balance , rhythm ,& a properly designed saddle can overcome lots of weight.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that lighter riders are usually easier for a horse to carry, but balance & rhythm , coupled with a saddle tree that adequately distributes the rider's weight can really mitigate the problem. The late Dick Clark was a rancher & cutting horse trainer who weighed 285 pounds. His ability as a rider , coupled with saddle trees which distribute weight adequately, made him a much lighter rider than most people half his weight. He rode cutting horse saddles built by the great saddle maker, Chuck Stormes , who built 28 saddles for Dick. Each one built to fit different backs. Chuck also builds his own trees. On one occasion Dick was checking cattle a few miles from home on a Montana ranch. His horse, Punk , slipped & broke his left hind pastern. The injury made walking impossible, but Dick was such a balanced rider that he was able to canter Punk on 3 legs in the opposite lead. After getting home, he fitted a cast to Punk's leg. After healing, he used him as a cutting horse for about 14 years. So balance , rhythm ,& a properly designed saddle can overcome lots of weight.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the person as to how they receive the hard message. I struggled to lose 3 stone to ride smaller ponies and still struggle to stay small (habits of a lifetime to beat) however if my vet or saddle fitter or even farrier as an expert told me to lose weight for welfare reasons I absolutely would get off and lose the weight. I trust the opinions of these people 100%.
ReplyDeleteI think your choice of title is... well it's going to get peoples backs up and that's never been an effective way to get people to listen to you.
ReplyDeleteI was a fat rider. I am not a fat rider any more because it isn't fair to ask a horse to carry that extra weight that *I* struggle to carry myself. I can't lose the weight now (wheelchair user, very limited mobility at all) so thats it, no more riding for me.
I also do not buy the 'well a fat rider who is better balanced but too heavy is better than a light rider who rides like a sack of spuds' argument.
Neither of those should be riding. Both of those will be damaging the horses they ride.
I think you just have to be honest 'the size of saddle this horse can take is not sufficient to spread the weight across his back to avoid muscle damage' or even 'I cannot fit a saddle to this horse that fits you AND him'.
You'll lose clients, and they will go elsewhere until either they realise they are the issue or they find someone who will fit a saddle and won't blame them... but it won't be on your conscience and sometimes, that is the best you can do.
I lost 20kgs because of my horses. I had a young horse and thought "I cannot ride as I like or be as fit and agile as I would prefer with this extra weight". It is a sensitive topic and no-one likes to be told they are too ^%$ to ride but it is a welfare issue for the horse. Read that last bit again "it is a welfare issue for the horse".
ReplyDeleteIt is very much the place of the saddle fitter to ask the question of weight. It has been shown that it is not always possible to fit a saddle to the horse and the rider. It is also the place of all other equine practitioners to include rider weight in their examination of the whole ridden horse. Time we stopped closing our eyes to this issue for fear of offending anyone. We are all, whether riders or practitioners, responsible for horse welfare.
ReplyDeleteIt is an emotive topic and as a larger person myself I am only too aware there can be complex medical and Physcological matters that effect weight. As a matter of horse welfare I do not ride my horse I am choosing to learn to drive and do some liberty work. Whilst referring to the single study as suggesting that is not conclusive (which I accept) I think it is fair to say that without empirical studies it is cleat from vets, simple anatomy and other horse wellness workers that excess weight carrying can have negative long (and short) term soundness impacts. It never occurred to me that a very common saying that very many of us have heard was actually a sly attempt to call larger people fat; that is trying to find a slight where none exists. As can be seen from responses what is a horse welfare matter can not be talked about in a reasonable way. A case of human sensitivity impacting horse welfare.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this great article. It's an important topic.
ReplyDeleteI think it's not just about fat riders, it's about any rider who is too heavy for the horse. Also about skinny riders like me, but at a size of almost 6 foot I weigh 64 kilos. Including all the equipment (cloth, helmet, shoes and the horses tack including a dressage saddle) I end up with 80 kilos! Too much for any small horse.
I recommend to take your scale to the yard and weigh yourself before you climb the horse. Don't forget the saddle and bridle.
I weighed 138 lbs. when my horse was diagnosed with kissing spine straight off track I lost 13 lbs while he was being rehabbed before getting on him. Horses didn’t choose to have a rider, we choose for them, the best we can do is make it as comfortable and easy for them as we can.
ReplyDeleteI weighed 138 lbs. when my horse was diagnosed with kissing spine straight off track I lost 13 lbs while he was being rehabbed before getting on him. Horses didn’t choose to have a rider, we choose for them, the best we can do is make it as comfortable and easy for them as we can.
ReplyDeleteI weighed 138 lbs. when my horse was diagnosed with kissing spine straight off track I lost 13 lbs while he was being rehabbed before getting on him. Horses didn’t choose to have a rider, we choose for them, the best we can do is make it as comfortable and easy for them as we can.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to chime in...I have noticed that their are a lot of middle aged women riding. I would go so far as to say they were the majority. What happens to women mid-life? Menopause. Hell I gained 50 pounds after menopause. The struggle is real. I see so many photos of older women with their horses, and the majority of them are overweight. This breaks my heart. I was able to lose 60 pounds by intermittent fasting and have kept it off for 4 years. Obesity is a hormonal imbalance and a middle-aged woman who is NOT overweight is a rarity. (Well at least in America). So if you are reading this and are overweight, try intermittent fasting- it really works!!!
ReplyDelete