woah! no offence intended! - as i started off my post i did say i didnt think 16 stone was too heavy!!!! i think its great you work out and keep yourself fit - i weigh 10 1/2 stone and people think i weigh only 8 1/2 but like you i am muscular rather than fat - all that mucking out i do i guess!!!!!!

my bit about animal welfare relates to someones earlier post about horses in the past carrying knights in armour and in films two people riding at at time etc (sorry should have specified that better) that got up my nose cos im sure back in the medieval times and when we are talking about blockbuster films looking good - i doubt horse welfare is at the top of the list - and just cos it has happened in the past and by filmmakers doesnt make it ok - ive just read similar threads before when people say everyone should ride no matter how heavy they are and that bugs me cos i dont think everyone should ride - some people are too heavy - you however are not!

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