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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Did I fat shame her?

333 replies

melonspritz · 15/07/2023 14:05

Just posting to ask for some perspective

I’ve been accused of fat shaming someone but I honestly don’t think I did

im currently looking for a full loan for one of my horses (a 15hh Connemara). She was our showjumping horse but we are moving up to something bigger so was looking for a full loan home for her to do some general riding club things. She’s a great pony, bombproof and has taken us up the levels so we owe her a lot. I left an advert in the local tack shop and was contacted fairly quickly by a lot of people and had to weed through people that were unsuitable. I was contacted by someone who was looking for a mother daughter loan share for her and her young adult daughter. She was previously a very experienced rider but had taken some time out and was now back and riding at a riding school and her daughter had been riding for a while too. They were looking for something to hack, do small jumps and spoil with cuddles and attention etc. all sounded perfect. I sent them all the details about the horse and offered for them to come out and have a lesson on her to try her out. I double checked before this and asked specifically if there were anything else I should know that may make them unsuitable for her (by this I meant that they weren’t happy with the price or were actually more novicey than they were making out) and they said no she was exactly what they wanted and they were riding horses like her at the riding school

they came out and they were far,far too big for her. I knew as soon as I saw them the mum that she was too big, and I wasn’t certain about her daughter so had to awkwardly mention it and ask what weight she was as I will not go over the weight rules for my horse. Her daughter was way over it too. I had to politely and very awkwardly explain that it wasn’t suitable and I was really sorry. They went absolutely wild, saying I had fat shamed them and that I was a nasty cow and had made her daughter cry and I should have let them try her. They were furious and I had to ask them to leave the yard. I then received a string of abusive angry messages and voice notes which I’ve completely ignored but I feel really hurt and upset by it all. Then to top it off they went onto Facebook and absolutely tore into me for fat shaming them and being nasty. They’re still bloody messaging me today going wild about it all because apparently I discriminated against them because of their size and I fat shamed them

I’m not going to mention weights or numbers so as not to cause any offense but they were absolutely way over what was ok for my horse and ultimately she’s my priority. I wasn’t offensive as far as I can see but I had to be honest and I tried to be polite about it

I suppose I should have checked their weight before I came out but they said they were experienced riders so I assumed they would know they were far too big for a 15hh Connie. And they said they were riding similar horses at the riding school, I’ve since found out they’ve been riding Clydesdales and large cobs.

there’s nothing else really I can do other than move on and ignore it but it’s still incredibly hurtful to be slagged off on social media. I’ve just taken some time out to ignore it but it’s still really upset me and they’re still bloody messaging me calling me a nasty bitch and saying I fat shamed them. I don’t know how else I should have handled it though. Am I going crazy or did I do nothing wrong?!

AIBU?

OP posts:
Ohgollymolly · 17/07/2023 18:39

I think anyone who’s prepared to take on the loan of a horse should should be experienced enough to know that this breed of horse is more suited to a light weight rider. Some things just don’t need spelling out in the horse world. Your experience and knowledge come in to play here.

Trying to think of another situation to liken it to, but I can’t. If you imagine one of your interests, there must be rules within that, which do not need spelling out?

After 4 kids, I know I’m at my heaviest and I know I need to lost a stone or two to be able to ride anything but a tank!

Emotionalsupportviper · 17/07/2023 20:55

Wonderfulstuff · 16/07/2023 19:16

I love horsey thread because they're normally bat shit (i.e. what on earth does anyone do with their life if they don't own a stable of horses or DH won't allow my horse in the house) but this one seems entirely reasonable.

DH won't allow my horse in the house

LTB!

😂

Brighteyes2368 · 18/07/2023 04:16

YANBU
You did NOT fat shame anyone; you were making sure that your horse AND those crazy women stayed safe. I'm so glad you stood your ground and protected your horse.

Sounds like those women are NOT as experienced as they claim. Anyone who has extensive experience with riding horses (and even some who don't) KNOWS that weight limits are for the SAFETY of rider and horse.

VintageBlossomHill · 18/07/2023 10:31

@melonspritz I just noticed this post on Facebook from my local equestrian centre

Did I fat shame her?
JohnMcClaneswife · 18/07/2023 14:35

I don't think you are being unreasonable at all. Personally, I think they were banking on you being too intimidated to say anything about their weight, since everyone gets offended about EVERYTHING nowadays, it's at the point you cannot give any corrective criticism about anything, without being torn to shreds, even if it's in the person's best interest. People are getting heavier and losing years off their lifetime, because doctors are afraid to tell them they need to lose weight, or quit smoking, or biting their nails or a dozen other things.
Anyway, I think this mother-daughter duo were hoping you would be too intimidated to say anything and they would get their way, as they probably have, in dozens of other instances. You protected your horses, don't feel bad about that, or second-guess yourself. They are angry they didn't get their way and since they can't throw themselves on the floor and cry or hold their breath until they're blue, so they have their temper tantrums on social media.
If it makes you feel any better, people can see it's a case of sour grapes. I know it still hurts, them slinging mud at you, but they wind up having more on themselves.

Beowulfa · 18/07/2023 15:17

I coach RDA; every horse has a weight limit and we have to weigh riders at the start of each term. It's often a problem after the Christmas/Easter break. I wish parents/carers would weigh at home before setting off,so they don't get turned away, but they seem to hope we won't notice/care.....

Shoemadlady · 19/07/2023 10:17

The fact that you've beeen called a fat shaker and they're more worried about that than understanding the safety issues for the horse actually shows they're less experienced than they led you to believe. If they were experienced riders they would absolutely understand

Fretty · 24/07/2023 18:53

Hi OP,
I know precious little about horses and husbandry. But the way and what you wrote your post makes it evident that you do and you care deeply about your horse. If that is any consolation from a complete outsider, I am 100% with you. You have done nothing wrong, and good for you to not give in to their pressure. Please brush it off, block/ ignore and take it as a learning opportunity to spell out what the type/ size of the horse means. They might not be nasty people, but their ego was hurt, and they got on a high horse with it (pun intended:-D). If they are such experienced riders, they would see your reasoning, but it's easier and gets more attention to be the victim...
Hugs!

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