On a recent trip to a horseback riding ranch, TikTok influencer Remi Bader was publicly embarrassed and mistreated due to her weight.
The woman, who has over 2 million followers on her account, called out the ranch for its unclear policies and treatment of her when making her leave the property.
“Shoutout to Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk for making me leave because I weigh over 240,” Bader wrote in the overlay on her TikTok video.
She went on in the caption of the video that this was her first time experiencing a weight-limit issue and that she has ridden horses before with no problem. Bader ended the caption by asking the ranch to post signs for future plus-size guests.
Bader of course isn’t asking for unsafe treatment of horses who can’t hold her weight, but rather that the ranch makes its policies clear for anyone who would spend time and money to get to the ranch only to be turned away, and to treat people of all sizes with respect.
A teenage employee of the business, @Broudy.Keogh, whom the TikTok influencer claims is the owner’s son, responded to her TikTok with a video of his own showing horses behind him and calling her a “fat b-tch.”
The ranch was quick to respond to the teenager’s statements, issuing an apology on their Facebook page, saying, “It has come to our attention that a TikTok video was posted regarding the ranch and a teenage employee posted a response that in no way represents nor is aligned with the views that the owners of the ranch hold. We would like to apologize to anyone who this offended and we do not condone or agree with any part of that employee’s video.”
Bader made a statement to People about the experience, telling them, “I’d never want to take down or make a small business look bad unless I TRULY felt it was necessary. I posted for a reason and that’s not because of me being denied to ride the horses. I get it, some places have weight requirements and I’d never want to hurt the horses, but it was the way I was spoken to and laughed at by the owner and the way I was treated overall.”
“What I experienced in person was only supported later by the owner’s son’s video, who made very clear that they did not want me there because of my weight and that is truly disappointing.”