Rider weight debate

Five years on, show’s rider size policy is making change

Study aims to investigate links between excess rider weight and back pain in horses

“This will help create an understanding of the factors that create back pain, how significantly rider weight influences back pain, and how owners recognise the cause of the problem”

New rider age rule sparks debate in showing circles *H&H Plus*

‘It’s not fat-shaming, it’s horse welfare’: saddle fitter’s warning on damaging effects of excess rider weight

“These people are often good riders who do everything for their horses, except the one thing that would truly help them”

Olympic rider loses nearly five stone to return to the ring six years after retirement

Ludo said the “huge transformation” in his weight played its part in his motivation to ride again.

‘It’s given me my life’: rider loses two stone to get back in the saddle

‘If I didn’t ride, I’d fall to pieces; it brings the spark out in me like nothing else ever does’

Great Yorkshire Show sticks to its guns on rider weight despite ‘fat police’ comments

‘It’s nothing to do with being fat. We want everyone to ride, but on the right horse or pony’

Royal Windsor Horse Show introduces rider rules for mini ponies

The committee of Royal Windsor Horse Show said it was felt the show could be open to accusation of poor horse welfare standards

Rider told she was too heavy to ride loses two stone to get back on board

‘It was heartbreaking to be told I shouldn’t be riding her at that weight’

'It's abuse': owner pledges not to ride again until she has lost three stone

‘You’re not suddenly two stone lighter just because you ride well’

Excess rider weight can cause back pain in horses

Heavier riders and unsuitable saddles can cause muscle tension and pain in horses according to a study by Dr Sue Dyson

Great Yorkshire Show: rider weight debate continues as several asked to dismount

Riders have been asked to dismount after being deemed 'too big' for their ponies

Heavy riders and high costs behind trekking centre’s closure

‘You can’t source big enough, safe enough, horses for these people’

The rider weight debate and why it’s not fat-shaming: H&H responds

H&H responds to the latest news on a big issue for the equestrian industry

Excess rider weight can cause lameness

Results of a landmark pilot study show the negative effect heavier riders can have on horse performance

Overweight rider has gastric bypass for the sake of her horse

A showing rider decided to have surgery to help her lose weight because she felt she was too heavy for her horse

Warning as well-meaning owners ‘make horses’ lives a misery’

Over-rugging and rider and horse obesity are among the issues affecting horses in this country, World Horse Welfare has warned

Riders’ and horses’ weight a major ‘silent’ welfare issue

A leading charity says weight is one of the biggest welfare issues facing UK horses

Landmark study takes ‘first step’ in tackling rider weight

The research found rider weight has a ‘substantial temporary effect’ on horse movement and behaviour

Great Yorkshire Show asks ‘too heavy’ riders to dismount – again

The show was ‘disappointed’ 12 riders had to be asked to dismount, a year after it first took the action