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 Expert
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Location: Cocoa, Florida | So I have always been heavier, although I am only 5’3” I’m solidly built and have a bigger bust (lol) so I’m a bit top heavy but I have gained 20 lbs in the last two years (new relationship) and I’m very unhappy but am slowly working on getting back in shape. I’m 200 lbs give it take and I’m skinny at 150 but ideally I’d like to get back to 165-170 at least. Either way right now I feel like I’m to big for my mare, she’s 14.2 almost 14.3, she’s not a bulldog but she’s somewhat stocky. I’ve had her a year now and she’s only been in barrels a year and a half at most and I’m still only running 4D sometimes bottom of 3D. I don’t know if my weight is inhibiting her performance a lot or if I should buy something bigger that can carry me better. I’m torn because I reallllllly like this mare, she’s super athletic and has a motor and it has taken me all year to learn to sit up and stay with her because she’s so quick and catty. I know IM the problem, but as I’m almost 36 it’s not as easy to loose weight and time is a huge factor also.
I feel bad for my mare and I feel like I should get something bigger, someone told me the other day that I’m going to break her down faster bc I’m to heavy for her and that really hurt my confidence. I’ll try to share a pic. Please be honest!
Don’t know what to do
Click on links for pics
Edited by RnRJack 2018-04-09 9:47 AM
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 The One
Posts: 7998
  
Location: South Georgia | My weight fluctuates from 165 to 200. I'm at 195 right now, unfortunately. I prefer tall and big horses for this reason. Otherwise, I feel too big. I think the smaller horses are capable of handling it, but I just feel self-conscious. |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I think the general rule is 20% of your horses weight? The most important factor is if you ride balanced and quiet. I think weight does play a factor but not sure how much. Btw, you are so pretty:). |
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The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Also, I believe it was Ed Wright that said something to the effect of it doesnt matter your size, but how well you ride and how quiet you are in the saddle. Gosh I wish I could remember how he worded it. Someone posted it on here once after hearing it from him at a clinic. |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | rodeomom3 - 2018-04-09 9:48 AM
I think the general rule is 20% of your horses weight? The most important factor is if you ride balanced and quiet. I think weight does play a factor but not sure how much. Btw, you are so pretty:).
Aw thank you very much, I work very very hard to ride balanced, although I gained weight I’m still very strong in the core somehow lol!! This is a cutting bred mare that has taught me to sit up! I feel like she’s young and is going to get faster also.
It’s just always been struggle to stay slimmer |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | horsegirl - 2018-04-09 9:42 AM
My weight fluctuates from 165 to 200. I'm at 195 right now, unfortunately. I prefer tall and big horses for this reason. Otherwise, I feel too big. I think the smaller horses are capable of handling it, but I just feel self-conscious.
It makes me self conscious when someone tells me how small she is or that I’m going to break her down, and I’m not one to run their legs off |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | 14.2 is pretty small to me and if she is light framed thats really small, me I dont like riding a smaller horse I have always felt awkard on the smaller ones, they got to be at least 15 hands on up for me, but I'm taller and got long legs and weight between 155 to 163 at times.Since you say you feel bad for this mare carring you I think I would want a bigger horse. I would think your weight would be a bit inhibiting to her, I would want something build more heavier and more height. I hope this dont offend you but being honest even if you were asking me in person  |
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 Expert
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Location: mi | I agree with everyone else that said it depends on how you ride. A good balanced rider can make all the difference in the world. That being said if she has little spindley legs I would worry a touch. My last horse was about your mares size and I run on average during the summer months right around 160 lbs. I never ever felt like I was too big for her and usually in the spring when we started out I was closer to the 175-180 mark. She also never struggled. Ride your horse, enjoy each go, and ignore the haters.
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Your pictures dont work for me, theres alot of junk when I did click onto them.. I remember when you bought this horse I think, it was back in 2017 of April/May right? I remember shes a cute little mare..
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2018-04-09 10:09 AM
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| RnRJack - 2018-04-09 9:52 AM rodeomom3 - 2018-04-09 9:48 AM I think the general rule is 20% of your horses weight? The most important factor is if you ride balanced and quiet. I think weight does play a factor but not sure how much. Btw, you are so pretty:). Aw thank you very much, I work very very hard to ride balanced, although I gained weight I’m still very strong in the core somehow lol!! This is a cutting bred mare that has taught me to sit up! I feel like she’s young and is going to get faster also. It’s just always been struggle to stay slimmer
Edited by rodeomom3 2018-04-09 10:16 AM
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | horsegirl - 2018-04-09 9:49 AM Also, I believe it was Ed Wright that said something to the effect of it doesnt matter your size, but how well you ride and how quiet you are in the saddle. Gosh I wish I could remember how he worded it. Someone posted it on here once after hearing it from him at a clinic.
Ed Wright sold a lady I knew a little 14.2 hand mare the lady was way to big for her, she weight about 200 maybe a little more but that little mare struggle with this lady the whole time to where the mare fell at the second barrel every time the lady ran her, I felt so sorry for this mare. After a year she sold the mare to a friend of mine and they were a good team she still has this mare that is retired to this day..And that was a really long time ago, I was a bit shocked that Ed sold this little mare to this lady in the first place, the lady was not a balance rider she could hardy ride anything. |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | If pics won’t work here a video from dec/Jan I think
https://youtu.be/0azgwOWD1IQ
This was March
https://youtu.be/_ZAm4SVhITI
This was this past Friday night
https://youtu.be/u4DyLg9GGZw
Edited by RnRJack 2018-04-09 10:48 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | Your fine. Would losing some weight help your riding... absolutely. Mostly because you have the extra up top thats a bunch to hold back when you get set forward. I don't have that issue when I gain I am still a c cup. It shows up in my booty and my thighs. So some core work outs are going to be your friend. Strengthen the core and it will strengthen your whole body and help you stay centered which will help her use herself better. But she doesn't appear to be struggling to me. Enjoy your horse. |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas |
She is a nice little mare I like her, you ride her really nice, and the arena looks really nice/good ground, if you keep riding her please be choosey on the ground you run her on, with you riding her nice and good ground you two will be ok. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1520
Location: Illinois | I gained 70lbs and since then I can't get my horse out of the 4D. Went from occasionally sneaking in the 2D to being consistent 3D and now can't get close. My saddle + my weight is more than 20% of my horse's body weight. He's 15.2 and 1150lbs and I'm 5'7". Trying to get back down to the 140 I used to be. My 4 year old I'm starting deserves better than me being overweight flopping on her back like a monkey, so I'm making a change this year. Getting back to running & eating better. Plus when I gained weight my horse's chiropractic issues shot up, he needs worked on at least once a month now minimum and my guy is $200 each time. I used to get by every 2-2.5 months, so it's hit my checkbook hard too. You're best bet is just to try to ride as best you can, balanced and quiet & try to get the weight off. My gelding is big boned and sturdy, but I slow him down quite a bit being heavy. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I think you're fine! I've seen some pretty big girls ride nice and balanced and I've seen some small girls flop all over the place. I think you ride her nice! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | Think you look great!! Im 5'10 and pretty solid. My gelding is about 15 hand on a good day. Could i lose some weight yes, but does life get in the way sometimes yes. I just try and stay a balanced rider and he seems to have no troubles. I once had a chiro who worked on mostly english horses tell me i was to fat for my horse. I will always remember that. She was an anorexic woman who told me it would probably be better if my mom rode my horse (my moms 5'2 and 125lb) Since then ive always been ocd about his back, my tack and my riding. He has no troubles turning or running and i keep an eye on everything
Edited to add the woman who came out to chiro came out because he had hurt himself on a 2 day trailer ride and not because of me riding. Hes seen a chiro since and ive asked others and none have said I was too big for him
Edited by Racer4eva 2018-04-09 12:16 PM
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Veteran
Posts: 277
| I don't mean to be Debbie Downer but I do think it's unfair to make a smaller horse carry a big rider. You ride very well, but I do see her struggling on the backsides of her turns. |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | Your riding at this point isn't bad. But, think of how much better it can be if you were to strengthen your core and loose some weight.
I always think of Brenda Mays and how she was thicker for one NFR and then she made a change. And, it made a huge difference.
Losing weight now will only help you in the future, both in your riding and your overall well being.
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | I'm a bigger gal, 5'9 and my weight fluctuates between 190-195, my horse is about 15.2 hands. By some people's standards I shouldn't be barrel racing or riding a horse that small. But you know what? I don't give two sh*ts! Life is short, enjoy the cake and the horse because you're never promised tomorrow. Do what makes you happy!! If you feel like you could lose some pounds than do it. I can tell you that in the last year I lost about 50 and it changed the way I can ride dramatically (better balance). But don't stop riding your horse in the process, just go do your thing gal and have fun!! |
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