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You're right, Frank--it isn't only heavyweights who have this problem.  I've seen some pretty tired featherweights flopping all over their poor horses and causing considerable stress, too.  Kind of like Bruce's water bucket analogy...

 

Heidi

In a message dated 7/30/2006 3:28:05 PM Mountain Standard Time, heidi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

The HW riders only have a noticeable disadvantage if the horse has to carry them anaerobically--something that rarely happens in our sport, but could happen in a sprint to the finish, theoretically. 

Heidi,

 

As you know, it isn't that the HW riders only have a "noticeable disadvantage if the horse has to carry them anaerobically--"

 

It's the UN-noticeable disadvantage which the horse has to deal with that will eventually tell the truth of the toil.

 

The STRESS factor that a horse has to deal with when dealing with the stress of hauling a TIRED, HEAVYWEIGHT rider whose, all of sudden, poor riding has come to affect the manner in which the trail is negotiated REALLY becomes more than "theory".

 

When dealing with moving weight down the trail, physics, more pointedly ENERGY, i.e., mechanical energy, kinetic energy, gravitational energy, elastic energy, the TRANSFER of energy, etc. comes into play.  More energy is required to MOVE heavier weight forward than lighter. 

 

That said, we heavyweights just have to deal with it, and find some way to compensate for it...whether it is getting more fit, running a great deal of the trail, whatever.

 

It IS what makes ENDURANCE RIDING such a fun way to pass this life.

 

Frank

 

 

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