Examining The Rider Weight Debate
Recently, the internet has shaken up the equestrian scene with a discourse on the weight of horseback riders. Although weight-related rules and regulations for riders have been in place for decades, it’s worth revisiting the discussion when major slights are put in the limelight.
One such incident making the rounds is the Deep Hollow Ranch’s treatment of Remi Bader, a popular TikToker and plus-size model. She took to the social media platform to call them out for denying her a horseback ride due to her weight. More than the undisclosed rule itself, their manner of speaking and attitude to her allegedly spurred her on to post it online.
Although it’s evident that all riders should be treated with respect, it does revitalize the debate on what regulations should be put on a rider’s weight.
Establishing a Healthy Weight
Much of the discourse goes into health, considering what state would be ideal for a person who wants to engage in an activity as physical as horsemanship. Although weight is not the only factor to consider for healthiness, it can affect a rider’s stamina, mobility, and comorbidities, which are critical factors to consider.
Body mass index (BMI) is the most common measure for determining a human’s healthy weight. This system has limitations, as it does not consider muscle and fat percentages, but it’s a good starting point. Most critically, it can help identify the difference between overweight and obese riders, as this crucial line bears implications for a rider’s health.
A slightly overweight rider may already be at risk for cardiovascular issues (an essential consideration for an intense activity like riding). However, this is not comparable to an obese rider, who would have more difficulty regulating blood sugar and avoiding inflammation. While riding itself would help alleviate these issues, the question now falls on whether the activity would be viable for the rider and their horse.
The Riding Experience for Equestrians and Horses
Weight can affect every aspect of the equestrian experience. From the moment you mount your horse, your balance and distribution of weight already come into play. There are situations where you may even have to mount off-side, which can prove trickier depending on your horse’s temperament.
Even if you have the skill to do so easily, you still need to consider your body’s limitations. Equestrian Kylie Standish shared her weight loss journey and its impact on her life and horseback riding. Motivated after giving birth prematurely, she lost 180 pounds and found that this weight loss improved her riding experience. Not only has she been able to ride longer, but it has made her a better partner for her horse.
It’s also a great example of how much a rider’s well-being directly affects their horse. Research conducted by Ohio University shows that the average adult light-riding horse is most comfortable carrying 20% of their body weight. This ideal ratio is vital when considering your horse’s long-term health.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, riding should be a wonderful experience all around. Diluting a person down to their body type alone is a disservice to them and the diverse equestrian community. Of course, it’s still important to think about the practical limitations that can impact both a rider and their horse.
The best experience always comes from a situation where one’s horse is protected for the long run, and the rider is most comfortable. It comes down to setting respectful boundaries beforehand and understanding their implications.
