How heavy is light enough?

[Germgirl]

I used to ride, and my own horses etc. Rose ner enough every day from the age of 5-19. Then I stopped.
I've always been overweight but eventually it got waaaaay out of hand & I ended up at 25 stone.
Obviously that was far heavy to ride.
I'm now losing weight, as of this morning I weigh 17 stone 10.
And the thing is, I really really want to get back into riding, despite not going near a horse for the last nearly 25 years.
I know I'm still too fat but what would be a reasonable weight to start enquiring for lessons etc? 15 stone?
I live in SE London & as far as I can tell the only stables round here are for children so I'd have to go further afield, but I just wondered what you all thought I should get down to before I enquire?

[Germgirl]

I cannot type. I had my own horses and I rode near enough every day.

[britnay]

Some riding schools will have the weight limit on their website. It varies, usually 12-15 stone.
Remember, its not just about your weight, but also your general fitness, so make sure you are doing some good cardio so you will be fit enough! :D

[Booboostwo]

You'll be fine to ride now you just need the right horse. An ID cross, something with a bit of bone to it and you'll be fine. Remember also that the rider's balance as important as the weight and you are not a beginner so your weight won't affect the horse as much as if you were just learning and bouncing about all over the place.

[Germgirl]

Oh Boo I wish I could find someone who'd let me ride now. I'm determined to be riding by next summer.
I've looked at several riding schools within a 50 mile radius and they all have a 12-14 stone limit. I've emailed a couple & explained my situation but no one has got back to me
Also. How expensive are lessons now?!! Fifty quid plus for half an hour! Blimey!

[Booboostwo]

My DH started riding at this weight and it helped him lose weight as well which is a great plus. To be fair we lived in the countryside with more options and we still only found one RC that catered for larger adults. They had a lovely shire with a super sweet temperament.

Is there any chance you could get out of London? It would increase the overall cost though which I can appreciate is a serious consideration at that price for lessons!

This place has a limit of 16 stone
www.wildwoodsriding.co.uk/booking-lessons.asp

Hopefully you'll reach your target weight very soon and riding will help you further.

[Germgirl]

I could definitely get there. We're quite near M25 J4 so it's not that far away.
Wow, 16 stone. That definitely gives me something to aim for. Thank you so much!! :)

[Germgirl]

They've got some beautiful horses there Boo :)

[Samba1]

Hubs started learning to ride at 18stone but is 6ft2 and carries it well. He rode a super maxi cob to learn and has since dropped a stone. We recently went on holiday to the new forest and burley mannor riding stables take 17 stone on a super percheron. I'd recommend it for a long weekend away. It's a tad expensive at £35pph for hacks out but it's well worth it

[carabos]

My friend has just posted some pics on FB of her out drag hunting on her cob at the weekend. She is very fat. The vet arrived at the yard to attend her horse yesterday as I was leaving and I understand her horse is lame - again. She has been told previously fairly bluntly that the two things are connected and that she needs to give him a lighter load. Her response to that was to put him on a diet.

13 stone including the saddle is the limit for most horses IMO and that of a number of researchers - flame away.

[Biggles398]

Try Hurst green shires - J6 of M25
Not sure of their weight limit, but as their name suggests, all their horses are beautiful Shires!

[Buttercup443]

I used to ride at wild woods riding! Give Jen a call they are absolutely lovely!! No indoors school but great horses and lovely instructors.

[BloodyPlantagenets]

I had to give up lessons when I hit 14 stone. They actually had a 12 stone limit but because I'd been having lessons for a couple of years they let me carry on for a bit. In my case I've put on four stone due to medication so it's heartbreaking. I will go back when I'm off these meds and ten stone again .