Lessons for plus size riders

[OhMoreDrama]

I used to ride as a kid and I'm really missing it now - my boys go riding and I'd love to join them!

I'm just under 18st but tall with it - 5'10!! I used to be a lot slimmer but stated on anti anxiety meds and they made me put on loads of weight even though I was eating less.

Do you think any riding school could cater for me? I only really want to plod about and maybe hack out occasionally.

Please do not get on a horse. It’s not fair on the poor animal.

not what she asked.

I don’t give a fuck. The animal’s welfare is far more important than some woman’s desire to ride it.

Horrible. Are you always so rude? 😑

I weigh about 13 stone and I would never sit or ride on a horse. I am too heavy …

13 st and too heavy to ride... I've heard it all now. 13st is perfectly fine as long as you're in an appropriate horse.

You're right I was intemperate in what I said. I apologise to the OP. I understand that it can be really hard to lose weight. I am finally getting menopausal weight gain too and finding it not that easy to shift either after a lifetime of eating whatever I wanted. I guess I was a bit triggered about seeing really upset staff having heavier people argue with them about their right to horse trek regardless of the weight limits. I realise that the OP can ride and hopefully she can lose some weight and join her sons. The GP doesn't sound that supportive. Have you had your thyroid checked just in case you're low because on 1,300 calories a day (which is miserably low) you should be losing quite substantial amounts of weight.

Reading your replies op it is YOU who is being rude, very rude. . Telling people to fuck off including me. Facts are facts. If you have any love for horses you won't even attempt to ride until you have lost weight.

FWIW I think a number of people have been total twats to the OP.

They asked a question. Just a question and have been berated for 'even considering' riding. Since when is asking before you do something a crime?

They've had unsolicited advice about their medication and their diet and for the most part has answered patiently. I don't blame them for finally popping.

baffling why horse people have a reputation as being stuck up and rude. Such a head scratcher.

It isn’t completely out of your control. It can feel this way, especially if your mental health is not at its best.

In that case I would get your scales checked, or apply for a Nobel prize as you've discovered a way to create masa from nothing. TDEE at your weight is about 2,300 calories, and that's assuming no exercise. What you are claiming is a physical impossibility.

Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't an option. Ive been on several antidepressants and the two that work and don't have horrible side effects make me gain a lot of weight. I have seen a psychiatrist and they have said given what Ive tried and hat I've reacted to there are no other options. Have had and am having therapy lots of, yoga, meditation love it, still NEED the medication. Maybe you could try not putting the boot in when you really don't know anything about the OPs medical history and what she's been through in her life. If you think 'anxiety' is easy to treat then you really dont have a fucking clue.

@OhMoreDrama some very nasty people on this thread. Its one thing me and my friends who have chronic health issues and weight gain as a result of medication have all dealt with. People who don't have a clue like to be sanctimonious about it, of course they'd obviously cope so much better even though they've never experienced what you've gone through. No one here knows your medical history and what has been advised and trialed by the medical professionals treating you, if you feel your treatment could do with a review go and see them, if you know that's not an option ignore those who feel they miraculously know more about your treatment then you do. I know its hard and it can hurt but try to ignore the sanctimonious and nasty posters.

I know nothing about horses but just wanted to send a bit of love @OhMoreDrama
Mumsnet is notoriously completely weird and metal on weight. This is where the pro-anas have come to die after the demise of Pinterest or wherever they used to lurk. You could have posted “I’m 18st and I want to do (insert literally any activity here)” and you still would have got the “OMG that’s made me feel sick to my stomach” answers. It’s actually a real issue for MN but I guess hard to
tackle.
Please do just try and ignore them and take the helpful answers.

If you’re eating 1300 cals a day then it absolutely can’t be the sertraline causing weight gain- sertraline can impact appetite but it doesn’t have a metabolic effect. I’d say you definitely need medical support to identify why you’re so overweight at 1300 cal intake- you’ll be in huge calorie deficit and if alls well with thyroid/other medical factors weight should be coming off fast.

Sorry @OhMoreDrama this sounds really tough.
I aim for 15% including tack as my maximum as recommended by his vet so 11st is my limit on a medium build 15.3 (half native half TB).
When I hit that 11st I found the book "why we eat too much" really helpful to get back down to 10st, it's about weight set points and metabolism and not calorie counting. There's a thread on here on the weight loss boards. Best of luck with it, I know how important riding is for my own mental health x

I can't believe the poster who said people with 'anxiety' can just use breathing and yoga - how ignorant! I use both, but still need Citalopram. Unless you have experienced severe anxiety, you really have no idea how badly it can effect you.
OP, I hope you can lose enough weight to ride again. I would love to - I owned horses for many years - but arthritis has set in. I just have to watch my granddaughters now.

No horse is designed to carry a rider. So everyone feeling smug because they ride and weigh less than the OP, you're just lighter but that horse isn't built to carry you. So in theory you're bad just not as bad as the OP.

Conformation is what makes a horse more likely to cope with carrying a rider and breed gives you an idea of what to look for but is by no means the full picture. A short back, short cannons, good quality flat bone, strong hocks and a deep girth is the type of horse that would find it easiest to carry a rider. A 17hh horse ideally is avoided as I find the bigger they are the less chance it's well put together. Bigger is not generally better.

The frustrating thing about opinions is that everyone wants one even when they have no real clue or worse and a tiny clue.

So no the OP should not be jumping on the average horse as they are simply not well put together or conditioned properly to carry anyone. However there will be horses out there happy to carry her as she rides at a slow pace and it'll help with her weight loss.

Teversal Trekking again in Derbyshire has a weight limit of 22 stone. The owner is a super husband and wife team that hire out their horses for 2 hour accompanied hacks. They have a super well deserved reputation.

Are the meds increasing your appetite? If so, you can do something about your weight, as has as it is.

I wouldn't ride at that weight. I know someone who dieted hard to get to a weight that they could ride at and they're loving it now.

If you're too heavy and cause a horse pain, it won't be safe for either of you.

I'm with you op.

Been riding since I was a child, menopause hit along with medical issues and I've put on 5 stone. I've stopped riding because of the above reasons but I miss it so much.

A friend of mine who owns a riding school often says that rider fitness is far more important than weight. As fit/strong people carry their weight better and are less likely to bounce on a horses back and cause damage. She'd rather have a heavier fit person riding her horses than a lighter person who has no core or leg strength. It came off exactly the same conversation I'd had with her that you are having here in here.

You've come into the worst of the worst here, Mumsnet and equestrians

She's asked because she wasn't sure! No need for the personal attacks on here. I'd tell some of you to fuck off too! The fact she asked at all, shows concern for horses welfare. I had no idea either until I started looking into lessons, what horses can or couldn't carry.

What else can I do?

I already eat a healthy and calorie controlled diet.

I exercise at least four times a week - either swimming or walking briskly.

I do yard duties three times a week for a friend's retired cob which includes mucking out and poo picking.

I weigh everything I eat, don't drink fizzy drinks, don't really eat suger baring what's in my food. I don't snack between meals either.

The only thing that could change is the medication but I don't want to because it took a long time to get to a point where I feel mentally stable and where I'm not having horrible side effects.

“What else can I do?”

Two avenues:

If you are genuinely eating 1300 cals a day and exercising regularly then change your GP and insist they investigate why you are very overweight and not losing weight extremely quickly. Your health is at risk.

If you think you might be in denial about what you are eating and how much you are moving seek therapy to help you through the process of feeling accountable and making the right changes.