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Big riders mean big horses on Western trails

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  • Big riders mean big horses on Western trails

    Big riders mean big horses on Western trails
    By KEITH RIDLER, Associated Press
    Updated 9:26 am, Thursday, April 24, 2014

    BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Wranglers in the West who have for decades cashed in on the allure of getting on a horse and setting out on an open trail say they have had to add bigger horses to their stables to help carry larger tourists over the rugged terrain.

    The ranches say they are using draft horses, the diesels of the horse world, in ever greater numbers to make sure they don't lose out on income from potential customers of any size who come out to get closer to the West of yesteryear.

    "Even though a person might be overweight, or, you know, heavier than the average American, it's kind of nice we can provide a situation where they can ride with their family," said wrangler T. James "Doc" Humphrey.

    Humphrey's 10-gallon hat, goatee, black vest and spurs are a tourist favorite at Sombrero Ranches, east of Rocky Mountain National Park, where they have 20 draft horses, including Belgians and Percherons, and 25 draft horses mixes.

    Ranch operators say they began adding the bigger horses in the 1990s, but the pace has picked up in recent years. Over the last 20 years, obesity has increased to more than a third of adults and about 17 percent of children age 2 to 19, according to federal statistics.

    "I think it's wonderful that these people are looking to accommodate people of larger body size," said Peggy Howell, spokeswoman for the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, adding that more businesses should become "size savvy."

    "People of larger body size enjoy athletic activities just as much as people with what's considered normal body size," she said.

    Draft horses fell out of favor as machines took over pulling farm equipment in the mid-20th century, said Elaine Beardsley of the Ohio-based Percheron Horse Association of America. Registered Percherons reached a low of 86 in 1953, and are now at 1,000.

    The bigger horses have allowed outfitters to eliminate weight limits.

    "I felt bad about telling people they're too big to ride," said Russ Little of Dry Ridge Outfitters, which offers rides at Harriman State Park in Idaho. Eight of the 45 horses he has are part Percherons. He said a 225-pound weight limit these days would cost him $6,000 a season.

    At Chico Hot Springs in Montana, Heidi Saile of Rockin' HK Outfitters said she and her husband, Kipp, removed the stable's 225-pound limit last year when they took over from different outfitters. She said the limit would cost her $4,000 in lost revenue.

    "Little horses just aren't sturdy enough to hold up in a dude operation in the Rocky Mountains," Kipp Saile said, noting that about 15 of their 60 horses were Percheron mixes, the largest weighing 1,800 pounds.

    At Sombrero in Estes Park, Colo., general manager Bryan "Kansas" Seck said they began making the transition to draft horses years ago because of rugged mountainous terrain and strength to carry a rider for longer periods of time.

    But the larger horses also allowed them to eliminate their weight limit. The heaviest rider Seck ever put on a horse was 399 pounds.

    "As long as you can get on a horse, you can ride," he said.

    Laura Ewing of Baltimore noted that the horses back East are small and she was somewhat concerned when she arrived at Sombrero to go on a ride with her 6-year-old son, Alex.

    "Because I'm a little heavier I rode a larger horse," Ewing said. "I was a little bit concerned at first, but when I saw the size of the horses that they have here, they're pretty hardy horses ... They're not ponies."

    Another rider, who weighed 240 pounds, rode 1,800-pound Bam Bam, a brown Belgian draft horse with furry legs and a size 5 horseshoes — the smaller, traditional quarter-horses of about 1,000 pounds wear a 0 to 1. They rode up the trails dotted with elk, deer and chipmunks and breathtaking views of Longs Peak.
    I noticed this about 7 years ago. There was suddenly a lot more interest in American Creams and Shires and mixes of draft and light draft breeds.

    It makes sense. I do wonder how the riders fair with the increased width. Most novice riders experience saddle-soreness because they aren't used to turning their legs out. You need to stretch a bit more with a light draft horse.

    SF Gate
    "Alexa, slaughter the fatted calf."

  • #2
    Riding draft horses is indeed becoming more popular. The ride can be pretty rough if you're accustomed to a quarter horse or other saddle horse. But if you're doing it for weight, it's probably unnecessary. A quarterhorse can easily carry a 240-pound rider. Quarterhorses are a working breed. Cowboys are generally not jockey-sized. A well-muscled 6' 1" man can weigh over 225 without being the least bit obese. To the horse, it makes little or no difference if that 225+ pounds is on a 6'1" cowboy or a 5'4" woman. Now, my 6'4" nephew had to quit riding his thoroughbred when he was 12 and topped 6' for the first time, because his feet hung down below her knees, and if he put them in the stirrups, his knees were up under his chin. But that's a different issue.
    "Since the historic ruling, the Lovings have become icons for equality. Mildred released a statement on the 40th anniversary of the ruling in 2007: 'I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, Black or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.'." - Mildred Loving (Loving v. Virginia)

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Celeste Chalfonte View Post
      Riding draft horses is indeed becoming more popular. The ride can be pretty rough if you're accustomed to a quarter horse or other saddle horse. But if you're doing it for weight, it's probably unnecessary. A quarterhorse can easily carry a 240-pound rider. Quarterhorses are a working breed. Cowboys are generally not jockey-sized. A well-muscled 6' 1" man can weigh over 225 without being the least bit obese. To the horse, it makes little or no difference if that 225+ pounds is on a 6'1" cowboy or a 5'4" woman. Now, my 6'4" nephew had to quit riding his thoroughbred when he was 12 and topped 6' for the first time, because his feet hung down below her knees, and if he put them in the stirrups, his knees were up under his chin. But that's a different issue.
      I agree with the ride quality. I doubt most large, new riders even think of that. They are so jazzed to just be up on a horse that it doesn't matter.

      I watched my horse preferences change over the years. I rode Quarter Horses from age 3 through my 20s, then I switched to Rangers. I sold off the Rangers and went to normal Saddlebred and crosses. Now I'm looking at gaited mules.

      I rode an American Cream last summer for a few weeks. The horse was being trained for larger riders for a dude ranch operation (my niece boards and trains horses). I was impressed. The ride quality was jolting to me but the horse was extremely calm and biddable. I had no sense that something twitchy was ever going to happen. She says all those light drafts are like that. Sort of like the English Setter of the horse world.
      "Alexa, slaughter the fatted calf."

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by Gingersnap View Post
        I agree with the ride quality. I doubt most large, new riders even think of that. They are so jazzed to just be up on a horse that it doesn't matter.

        I watched my horse preferences change over the years. I rode Quarter Horses from age 3 through my 20s, then I switched to Rangers. I sold off the Rangers and went to normal Saddlebred and crosses. Now I'm looking at gaited mules.

        I rode an American Cream last summer for a few weeks. The horse was being trained for larger riders for a dude ranch operation (my niece boards and trains horses). I was impressed. The ride quality was jolting to me but the horse was extremely calm and biddable. I had no sense that something twitchy was ever going to happen. She says all those light drafts are like that. Sort of like the English Setter of the horse world.
        Hah! Must introduce her to my sister's Shire. Flightiest horse I ever met, and I grew up with a Chincoteague pony.
        "Since the historic ruling, the Lovings have become icons for equality. Mildred released a statement on the 40th anniversary of the ruling in 2007: 'I am proud that Richard’s and my name is on a court case that can help reinforce the love, the commitment, the fairness, and the family that so many people, Black or white, young or old, gay or straight, seek in life. I support the freedom to marry for all. That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about.'." - Mildred Loving (Loving v. Virginia)

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Celeste Chalfonte View Post
          Hah! Must introduce her to my sister's Shire. Flightiest horse I ever met, and I grew up with a Chincoteague pony.
          Really? Shires have become popular here among the "horse hobby" crowd. I've ridden a couple and they were very well mannered. Not my thing, really but I can see the appeal. They are sharp-looking for drafts.

          For the first time, I saw those Gypsy Ponies last summer. They were entered in some harness events. They were attractive but the one owner I spoke with said they were twitchy. I've had enough of that.
          "Alexa, slaughter the fatted calf."

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