By:Jiahao (Alex) Chen

Famous TikToker Remi Bader was recently denied the opportunity to ride the horses at Deep Hollow Branch because she weighed over 240 pounds. Soon after the incident, an employee made a TikTok saying, “When you aren’t a fat _____, you can ride at Deep Hollow Branch.”

Although most people find fat-shaming horrible and rude, it is not uncommon, and over 40% of Americans suffer from teasing. Bader struggles with a condition that causes her obesity, a binge-eating disorder. To be defined as obese, you must have a body mass index of 30 or more. Remi has a BMI of over 38, thus making her obese.

Remi Bader made a TikTok (where she has over 2 million followers) that called Deep Hollow Branch out, saying, “[s]houtout to Deep Hollow Branch for making me leave because I weigh over 240 pounds.” She also asked the ranch to clearly tell the visitors that there was a weight limit.

Although Remi Bader was treated unfairly, the guidelines did say that the horse couldn’t move comfortably supporting more than 20% of its own body weight. Remi did say that she wasn’t speaking her voice to the public because of the fact she was denied that access to ride, saying, “I get it, some places have weight requirements.”

She claimed the reason she shared her experience was because of the way she was treated and how the employees spoke to her. She claims that the ranch didn’t want her there because of her weight, and she commented, “that’s very disappointing.” The ranch soon apologized for her experience, claiming they had nothing to do with the video that was deleted.

The reason why most obese people don’t engage in sports is because of past experiences, they don’t think they had the physical capabilities, and that they fear becoming a victim of fat-shaming. Being spoken to negatively can also impact on the person’s self-esteem, making them less sure about themselves, and lowering the willingness of participating in physical activities.