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Kes
Platinum Member
 England
1819 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 1:04:03 PM
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After getting Kes I was told by someone at the same yard as me that as a young horse just backed he wouldn't be very strong, this I agreed with. She then told me then he shouldn't really carry more than 8 1/2 stone. This leaves me very much in a difficult situation as I am 9 stone, but I had read that Arabs were weight carriers??? So am I too heavy for him? Kes is Egyptian bred and more of a fine show horse build than a more solid Crabbet for example. If I am too heavy for him can anyone suggest ways of building up his back strength? The person who told me he shouldn't carry more than 8 1/2 stone says I should use a Pessoa to train him in a better outline, therefore strengthening his back muscles. I am not one of the people who like using training aids, I wouldn't say I am totally against them but I prefer to school horses with a good instructor as appose to lunging in a set outline. As a consequence to these comments I don't ride him for very long, I still haven't spent more than 30 minutes in one go on him. Please can I have people's honest comments as to his weight carrying ability and my weight, ty.
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Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 1:21:01 PM
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How old is Kes? When Lily was four I didn't ride her very much - no more than an hour at a time, she is 15.3hh, and slow maturing. I weigh between 10 and 10.5 stone (depending on how much chocolate I consume  ). She is now six, and her back is fine (it's been checked out), she did up to 20 miles at endurance as a five year old (I still weighed the same) with no problems, but has had a very quiet year this year after she threw a splint in the field this spring. Will be bringing her back to fitness after Christmas. At nine stone I can't see that you are too heavy to sit on him for 30 minutes at a time, unless he is particularly underdeveloped. Eight and a half stone sounds like a very arbitrary figure to me.
A couple of old threads on the subject:-
http://www.arabianlines.com/forum1/topic_new.asp?TOPIC_ID=40705
http://www.arabianlines.com/forum1/topic_new.asp?TOPIC_ID=38271
http://www.arabianlines.com/forum1/topic_new.asp?TOPIC_ID=35373 |
  Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
Edited by - Callisto on 01 Sep 2011 1:22:09 PM |
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misterei
Silver Member
United Kingdom
455 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 1:22:06 PM
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I weight about 13 (and the rest) stone, and all of mine can carry me. They vary in height between 14' 3 & 15' 3 (hands not feet - just can't find a symbol for hands except this one ). The younger ones were only backed as four year olds, and the others at three. As for building up their strength, we put them over trotting poles, walk them up hills, and generally use simple, unstressful exercise to build them up at the back. We also use a pessoa sometimes, to help them come into an outline, but once they find it, they find the outline improves their balance as well.
I should add ours are Russian (one Russian/German/Polish/Polish and one Crabbet/Russian), but they are all strong. We had a straight Egyptian who was able to carry a lot more than 9 stone. It can depend on how you ride, as being heavy in the saddle is not necessarily about weight, can be technique, not suggesting anything about your riding, can't be worse than mine.
If he is young, just take him gently, build him up over a few weeks, maybe try and ride most days to give him more strength and the odd day off to chill. It can be about the mental attitude as well as the physical build. |
Here they are
Emira......Mazie...Fharida.....Shahi......Mazie.....Saffee..Malika...Emira
More at www.purespiritarabians.com |
Edited by - misterei on 01 Sep 2011 1:24:21 PM |
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angelarab
Platinum Member
Wales
2876 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 1:30:50 PM
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| Baz is 14.3 slow maturing 5 year old i am 5'3 and just under 10 stone and no one has told me that i am too heavy for him the list includes respected Arab people my riding instructor and Judge..we are taking things slowly work wise, lots of hill hacks and supling school work..so you sound super to me |
 "Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."
www.northwalesarab.co.uk |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 1:30:56 PM
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| Kes is just 6 and was backed in April this year so he hasn't done anything except with me apart from be a show horse. I would say I was a very light, considerate rider in that I don't land heavily or bounce around on the horse's back, I already ride long due to a dressage saddle so probably take more weight in my legs that my seat. I do try and ride alternate days anyway to give him a learning day followed by a play day. Thanks for tips so far |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 1:39:49 PM
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If you ride long I am sure you put more weight on your seat than your legs. Somebody tell me if I have the mechanics wrong. However, it doesn't really matter as what you need to aim for is a three point seat letting your weight go equally onto your bum and top of your thighs. Also 9 stone isn't heavy. I am sure if you ride in a balanced manner and don't overdo it he should be fine.
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stuart
Silver Member
United Kingdom
335 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 1:44:14 PM
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Mine carry a lot more than maybe should (SE's)- but not as much as they can!!  + tack.
Phooey to what you have been told - they would never have evolved as they have over millenia in a predominantly male rider society if any of what you have been told were true!!
Ride and enjoy - don't give your weight another thought!! |
North Norfolk |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 2:21:48 PM
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| Hehe, thanks Stuart. I can stop starving myself now KFC mmmmmmmmm |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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pinkvboots
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 2:32:49 PM
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Agree with Stuart, many male show riders on the circuit and although they are of slight build must weigh in at 11 to 12 stone, so head down to KFC tonight and get munchin , and at 9 stone I would think most small ponies could carry you easily. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 2:33:21 PM
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| Actually, I remember being told that the maximum a donkey on the beach should carry is 8 stone. Now considering that the average donkey is about 11.2hh I think that gives you plenty of room to manoeuvre. You understand that I am not comparing Kes to a donkey |
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Suelin
Platinum Member
England
2514 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 2:38:30 PM
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| Ditto to Stuart. A shetland pony was supposed to be able to carry a man so I hardly think that you are too heavy for your Arab. It's total tosh. I weigh a good deal more than you do and my boy has no trouble at all carrying me about the countryside. |
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Nichole Waller
Gold Member
England
1168 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 2:38:52 PM
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Ozzy is 14.2hh and 6 years old. I'm 5'2" and weigh 9 1/5 stone.
BUT when i backed him at 4.5 years old i was 11 stone 
I was really worried i was too heavy for him but he never struggled to carry me. I got a friend to school him once a week who is about 7 1/5 stone and i rode him every other day hacking for no more than an hour.
So at 9 stone you are definitely not to heavy for him. Agree pole work and hills will help strengthen his back. |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 3:02:27 PM
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Thanks everyone, I do feel better knowing I am not squishing my horse. Um....seaside donkey?  hehe
Nichole, you are pretty much the same as me, Kes is also 14.2hh, I am 5'4" and 9 stone if I breath in enough :). Having looked at pics of myself on him I don't look huge, if anything stupid dangly legs. Oh God now I'm moaning about something else...... |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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kathleen
Platinum Member
England
1835 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 3:24:36 PM
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I breed and backed Alliya in she has never had a problem with me and i am 5 foot 8 before 2 x children i was 11 stone Alliya was 4-5 years old i am a stone more now and she is 12 years old now but it would still be no problem as long as i was not riding like a sack of spuds off balancing her
i think Alliya was 4 years old in this one she was 14.1-2 at the time
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http://www.jollyfryer.com/ Great British Fish & Chips
susan.oliver70@ntlworld.com
    
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Saby
New Member
10 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 3:56:55 PM
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As a general answer....Absolutly no problem if you are a balanced rider. My 14.3SE has me riding him for hours at a time doing Endurance rides, I do not see his size or my weight an issue. Even when we are both at 'competing fitness and doing 80km plus' I will still be a stone heavier than you!
My PB youngster that I have backed this year is 14.3 too and no complaints there either.
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arabian
Silver Member
England
270 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 4:08:07 PM
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| i read your post and thought oh god no hope for me then as im 12 stone and i ride a 15.1 having said that she is substantial and very crabbety build to look at but she has never struggled she is 8 yrs old however i am sure i would be too heavy for my 14.3 lad who although is 60 percent crabbet i dont know where he is hiding it as he looks more like a SE hummm me thinks will have to lose considerable amounts of weight to get on him still have a few lightweight friends that are fine on him so i agree with stuart forget your weight and enjoy your beautiful boy x |
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Callisto
Platinum Member
6905 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 4:11:29 PM
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| Our 14hh Arab used to carry 10 stone all day hunting, including hacking to the meet and up to ten miles home again afterwards, he lived to 30 and had clean legs and a sound back right up to the end. They are very tough these little horses. |
Zahkira (GR Amaretto x Taffetta)
Linda
East Sussex |
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justine
Gold Member
England
641 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 5:26:45 PM
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I think 12 stone is easy for an arab (14.2 - big)
If you look in the showring pro riders are anything from 6st to 12stone plus! if you ride correctly you will not stress your horse.
Think about how much your horse weighs and how strong he is!
Sit like a sack of spuds, pound on his back and hopefully he will kick you off :-)
Seriously, my partner has sat on my horses, 16stones!!!!! yes he can ride! horses no probs at all. They prob dont want this each day but arabians do carry weight easily!
My nieces 12hh show ponies go to adult producers and are worked hard!
ps- stop worrying kes |
jbassindale |
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Sam Hunt
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
112 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 5:32:09 PM
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Kes, I've met you and (although I haven't seen you ride) seeing your size and build (she's NOT a big girl, is Kez!) then I honestly can't see you having a problem. It's not your weight that would potentially damage Kez, no - rather it would be doing too much, for too long, and too soon. But as you're building him up slowly and little by little,I'm confident he'll be fine.
(By the way, mine range from 14'2 to 15'3, Crabbet and SE, and I would happily let you ride any of them without any worries about your weight!) |
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sab2
Platinum Member
8467 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 5:39:05 PM
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Just to make you feel better Kes, this is a sec a stallion that came to me to be backed and ridden for a friend, now i know i look too big on him but he carries me no problems and he is only tiny,saying that i do not ride him for to long, i am 9stone at min, your Kes will be able to carry you no problems at all so please don,t think you are too heavy and enjoy your riding. |
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 6:46:30 PM
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I believe that early last century Arabs would do 100 miles carrying soldiers with full kit weighing 17 stone. Forerunner of sport of endurance riding? May not have figures exactly right as it is ages since I read this, and maybe this weight wouldn't give optimum performance, but 8.5 stone seems ridiculously light.
Garnet's half sister Rohey Evagline (both by Ferozeshah) is only 13.2hh and has been an extremely successful endurance horse with Tricia Hirst - not sure if endurance horses carry 11 or 11.5 stone?
Re pessoa - I use one but not too tight so it acts as suggestion and encouragement rather than forcing into outline. I used to use it just in trot as I felt it was rather restrictive in walk but Red has now learned to really stretch down into it in walk. |
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 6:49:16 PM
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| Should make it clear that I was talking about weight carried by mature and fit horses, but even a youngster should be able to carry more than 8.5 stone for 30 mins - Garnet certainly did! |
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hazelcat74
Silver Member
472 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 7:25:05 PM
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When I got my arab mare she was 5 and a half and not long broken. I weigh 9 stone and have never thought it was a problem, I am always being told how the horse is lucky as I weigh nothing  . Slowly building up their fitness and not overdoing it is more the thing to watch I would think Just enjoy yourself and I should think your horse would show signs if it was too much for him, which sounds very unlikely |
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lizshome
New Member
21 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 9:56:28 PM
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QUOTE:
I believe that early last century Arabs would do 100 miles carrying soldiers with full kit weighing 17 stone. Forerunner of sport of endurance riding? May not have figures exactly right as it is ages since I read this, and maybe this weight wouldn't give optimum performance, but 8.5 stone seems ridiculously light.
Garnet's half sister Rohey Evagline (both by Ferozeshah) is only 13.2hh and has been an extremely successful endurance horse with Tricia Hirst - not sure if endurance horses carry 11 or 11.5 stone?
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Indeed! Falaina bint Chatanz (14.2hh) has done (and won) multiple endurance rides up to and including 100miles (7 of these 100 mile rides). She carried me (8.5stone) PLUS additional weight pads to ensure we hit the required FEI weight of 75kg. She never batted an eyelid, and 'deadweight' is much tougher on a horse than liveweight.
They are tough. Just make sure they (and you) are balanced, and they are fit enough to carry the weight for the required duration.
Liz |
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Pauline
Platinum Member
England
3185 Posts |
Posted - 01 Sep 2011 : 11:32:42 PM
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| I would not worry. My little mare is 14hh and at the age of 21 she did the 160k class at the Golden Horse Shoe this year. She carries FEI weight which is 11st11lbs .two years ago she won the veteran marathon and will do the marathon again this year. |
Pauline Higgs
Equine & Human Holistic Therapist
www.thegentlestouch.co.cc
www.endurancegbmidsouth.co.uk
Berkshire / Hampshire Border |
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Kes
Platinum Member
England
1819 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2011 : 08:31:38 AM
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ok, very convinced now that I am not being awful to my little horse. I have taken on board people's comments though about level of fitness, duration of ride and rider balance so thanks everyone.
Sam Hunt - fruit basket coming your way |
Carole & Kes, West Sussex. |
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