Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Mad Science

Come back east and look at it. What I see is people are showing up with bigger
and bigger horses and going faster and faster on the same courses.  There
is also the issue of efficiency. Is a 1000 pound horse carrying 200 pounds
more efficient than an 800 pound horse carriying 200 pounds.  Where is the
knee of the efficiency curve hit. The system has to go non linear at some
poin.  Other wise I would really be better off getting a 500 pound pony.

If my experience is any indication I am much more efficient carrying a 40
pound pack than a 150 pounder no matter how strong carrying a 40 pound pack.
 

Truman

PS: Susan I would jerk your chain:-).  

Susan Garlinghouse wrote:
> > Hmmmmm...........so we HW riders would be better off to go find a 500
> > pound pony to ride:-)?
> >
> > Truman
> >     
>
> Of course not (and of course I also know you're also just yanking my chain,
> T), but there's a fair amount of field data to support a theory that a
> smaller, well-built horse will be able to adequately carry the weight of
> himself plus a HW rider with fewer problems, than a much bigger horse
> carrying a lighter rider-weight-ratio but more total mass.  The higher the
> total mass, the higher the likelihood of lameness. At least that was true at
> Tevis, heat dissipation issues may change things back east.  Dunno.  I doubt
> that particular factor will change much, if at all.
>
> susan g
>
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