Conference noted::equitation

    An old packers rule of thumb I learned at horse camp was 1/4 of the
    horses own weight is what he can carry. A one thousand pound horse
    therefore could carry a two hundred fifty pound rider comfortably.
    A 250 pound rider on a 800 pound arabian would be too much.
    

    
    How the rider uses weight can also be a factor also. 
    
    I am very heavy.  But I also ride a 16 3, 1350 lb horse.  I usually ride
    for several hours at a time.  She does not show any back pain.  (Or leg
    lameness.)
    
    I check her back and legs each time I ride and/or groom her because 
    I am concerned about this.  (I believe the horse having to carry that 
    extra weight is not good but I am not going to stop riding because I am 
    overweight.  I need the exercise.  And I need the mental relaxation.)
    
    I had a trainer who weighed about 160 who would make my mare's back 
    terribly sore after riding for just 30 minutes.  And she would be sore 
    for days (drop to her knees sore).
    
    There are a lot of smallish Arabs carrying large people on the
    competitive and endurance rides with a great deal of success.  It
    depends a lot on how balanced the rider is and how careful the rider is 
    making sure the horse is conditioned and cared for. 

    Now that we're on this subject, has anyone noticed how "thin" the
    breeches manufacturers think all riders are? Granted most riders are of
    a moderate weight, but for those riders who aren't (I unfortunately am
    part of that group), it's difficult to get breeches that fit. First I
    attempt to get them around my calves. If that works (most don't), I
    then get the thrill of seeing myself in these breeches. 
    
    I always thought I could go trick-or-treating in my breeches and scare
    people. Seriously though, breeches were not made with overweight people
    in mind. Has anyone tried the flared,pleated breeches. I'd like to try
    on a pair.
    Oh, well. At least my horse is in better shape than I am!
    			Cindy
    

    I have two pairs of pleated breeches, one for showing and one for
    knocking around in. They definately look better on those of us with
    heavier legs while we are on the ground, however, they don't look as
    good when we are on the horse. They are very comfortable though,
    especially if you purchase them in cotton.

    I would like to add to this note, not to confuse overweight with
    height.  When I was 11 years old, I had an 11.2hh Welsh Mountain Pony. 
    I looked very big on her because I had long legs.  Everyone used to say
    I was cruel riding her, but we used to win all the gymkana games and
    she was never lame and didn't used to have a sore back.  I was also
    light, but no one took this into consideration.
    
    I think it depends also on the type of horse/pony.  I must admit it
    does sound as if this women is too heavy for her horse though.
    
    Suzanne

    I was concerned about this when I used to ride the barn pony
    around where I boarded.  My horse is 1300 lbs 16 hds, and can carry
    my 155 lbs like I'm not even there.  The pony was I think about
    13 hands.  But she had no problems either.  She was a blocky type
    shetland cross.  It depends on the animal, I guess.
    
    Re-breeches : They look so good on a slender rider.  On me,
    however, I feel like the proverbial 10 pounds of manure stuffed
    into a 5 lb bag. :-)  At least the western pants aren't too bad!
    
    L-
    
    

re:  finding riding breeches for you all.  i have a friend who is heavy and she 
found a pair of breeches that fit her well and are comfortable and like rather
sharp (i think...).  these particular ones are black, very shiny, and super
stretchy (clearly for schooling only i would think.)  they have a full seat
though it may not be real leather (not great loss in my opinion.)  i can
find out the brand name if anyone is interested.  my friend absolutely loves
hers!  (i bet it has a fair amount of lycra in them?)

give 'em a try!
janet.

    
    My instructor offered to change the name of her farm to 
    
    Thunder Thigh Farm
    
    I'm slightly overweight but even if I wasn't I'd still have substantial
    thighs - built for power my Dad use to say (I do play a mean power
    forward on my basketball team). I finally broke down and spent money on
    a pair of Harry Hall's for showing. Excellent fit and comfort. I really
    get depressed when I put my other breeches on for practicing. The
    pleated ones were worse for me - all I did was flatten the pleats out.
    
    Now,  before you say "Sounds like you need a larger size" let me explain
    my waist is 12 inches smaller than my hips. Getting both to fit is
    impossible. And I don't want to even talk about trying to find a
    rat-chatcher that fits my shoulders - tried on every blouse that Dover
    had before finding one that was adequate.
    
    O well - my horse doesn't care
    
    Nancy
    

    I have a different problem along the sames lines.  I have a 14.3
    hand Morgan gelding, 12 years old, he had a semi-serious leg injury
    about two years ago.  He factured his lateral sesmoid in the left
    hind.  Anyway, the guy that I'm dating keeps pestering me to take
    him out in the mountains on a nice long romanitic trail ride.  I
    have no problem taking people out on rides, but I do insist that
    they ride my horse and I borrow one.  This guy is 6'4" and weighs
    about 225, I just can't see putting him on R.B.'s back.  If he were
    a stronger rider, I would probably consider it, but I feel that
    it is not worth the risk.  Even though in my younger years I used
    to ride double on him (when I was a teenager), and he never had
    a problem.