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RE: [RC] Weight Divisions - heidi

Bruce, I don't think ANYONE has ever tried to say that weight makes no difference.  But let's look at the science.  The basic formula that was valid clear back when I was in vet school (sometime in the last century) was that weight makes about 1/20th the difference to aerobic work that it does to anaerobic work.  So it takes 20 lbs on an endurance horse to have the same net effect as 1 lb on a race horse.  And given the other variables at rides, that just doesn't add up to a whole lot.
 
Never mind the fact that there is no rule in this sport (and I hope to heck there never is) that says that the horse has to carry the whole weight the entire distance.  I can't begin to count the times that big, long-legged guys like you have gotten off and run part of the course, where my poor unfortunate horse has to carry my fat butt every step of the way--so where's the equality in that?
 
Like my mama always said:  Life isn't fair.  Deal with it.
 
Heidi



I feel that the weight divisions are a good idea, if only to
recognize the extra effort that horses carrying more weight put forth.
It's all physics, folks. I know there are those who think there is no
difference to the horse, but there is. Every track around the country
knows that a few pounds can equalize the speed of different horses once
around a track. I don't know anybody pulling a horse trailer with a Geo
Metro.There's no riding lawn mowers winning tractor pulls. They don't
use miniature horses in log pulling contests.  I don't know of a
lightweight or featherweight rider who has actually put enough extra
weight on their horse to match my 235 lbs with tack and go head to head
with some heavyweights. You can't beat physics, even in biomechanics.
It takes more energy to move more weight over a given distance,
whatever the speed. Whether that work is done by man, machine or mule.
Dr Q, career heavyweight.


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