Everyone can ride - much to my surprise

Ok, maybe I'm out of line here as I am not a plus-size rider, but I have to tell you all that I used to be terribly prejudiced against plus-size riders. I could never understand how anyone that is overweight could possibly ride at all, much less ride properly or well.

Thankfully, I had a severe wake-up call a couple of years ago. I was attending a very small local fair and there was a well-turned out lady with a well-turned out horse and my bigotted thought was, "Well, they look good, for whatever that counts." When that pair went in the ring though, I just about fell on my face. They were amazing. I swear the lady was part and parcel of the horse. There was such amazing movement, connection and "tightness" in their action I was stunned. Blessedly so. I'm so glad that I saw what I did. It changed my outlook.

So, to any plus-sizer's that may think they can't do something because of size, skinny little me knows that it's just not so.

Thank you for the viewpoint from the "other side"

Thank you for posting

Thank you for wise words. Now...would you just convince the other riders who complain that I should be carrying the horse instead of the horse carrying me?

Thank you for your vote of confidence!

I TOTALLY agree with this observation. I have had a couple of plus sized students who were some of the softest riders I have taught. They had the lightest seat and softest hands. Weight does not have to interfere with the horse.

Wow, I'm glad I posted this. I did some thinking over it before I did; wasn't sure how everyone would take it. I'm also glad I apparently wrote it correctly and people have read it exactly how I hoped. :) It was an "ah-ha" moment for me. Or more like "aaaahhhh - wowwww".

Dee -- insight to others? Can't be done. They just have to be willing to have an open mind and open their eyes. Too many people in the horse-world are narrow-minded unfortunately. All you can do is walk away from those.

Some plus size riders I personally know are simply excellent (very quiet seat and soft hands). I do remember being very impressed with one bigger lady at the clinic, who had a long break in riding, but had such a deep/quiet seat I could just dream about.

Thank you!!! I'm 62 and 270 lbs...I have been told many times I have an awesome seat and soft hands...

Thank you for your insight! I appreciate hearing your experience! I am 6'0 and around 275lbs, and too have been told that I have a light seat and quiet hands, which is so important. A heavy rider who riders well will do much much less damage then a skinny rider who bounces all over the horses back, yanks on its mouth, etc.