Safe To Ride?

My brother said today that he wanted to ride our to older horses. I do not agree with it, but I want to hear what you all think aswell. Jake is a 20 something quarter pony/icelandic cross. He is lame in 1 front foot, grounds to be retired correct?? He was never a good riding horse with his temperment, so my brother would be fighting him the whole time. Elroy is our other horse. He is a 34 yr old ottb. He is underweight, his ribs are covered but his back and and tail bone are promenent. He canters around his pasture sometimes but I still don't think he should have to carry like, 215 lbs(50 lb saddle, plus my bro). What do you all think about riding them? Especially when it is still high 80's, low 90s in the evening.
Thanks,
Tcg

Eh....I probably wouldn't. I would let a light rider for walks on the OTTB, but I wouldn't let your bro ride a lame horse nor an underweight horse in that condition.
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Why would you even consider letting someone ride a lame horse?? That's being very irresponsible. Maybe some short, light handwalks on the OTTB, but, personally, I wouldn't. It's your choice, though.
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Oh, beleive me, I wasn't considering it! I just wanted to be sure I wasn't overreacting. I just don't know how I'm going to keep him off them :(. He won't lisen to me. All he said was that this rodeo cowboy said it would be fine to ride them so he thinks it is okay. I even suggested exercising horses for people, he jsut ignored me :(. Ugh!

^^ I understand. People like that infuriate me.
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O and here is a picture of the ottb so you guys can see his body condition, from about May or so. He is alot better than he was this winter, but he's a hard keeper so though we are doing the best we can, he is still thin.

He could deffinately be much, much worse. Like I said earlier, I don't think LIGHT, SHORT, handwalks would hurt. Is he sound, completely? What I see is not so much "skinny", just old.
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Umm, he had a foot injury a few months back but I think he is okay. I have no problem with, say, my little sister taking short walks on him with me leading him but my brother would be cantering him on the trails and practicing roping.

If your brother is so interested in roping, he should lease himself a roping horse and see what riding horses is all about.

Neither one would be suitable for what your brother thinks he wants to do. Slow walking trail would probably be fine on the OTTB, but again-ride a lame horse? Is there noone-like mom and-dad who can somewhat put the reins on your brother so to speak?