[RC] rider weight studies, part 1 - Kristen A Fisher - sherman
My gear & I weigh in at 175. that’s
22% of my 14.1H, 800 pound horse. We did 2 50s this weekend, &
Sonny was stronger the 2nd day, not a bit worn out. We didn’t
get a completion on day 2, it’ll show up as a lameness pull, but he
completed fine, then became lame after getting cleaned up due to a new case
of scratches. I’ve read that Arabians and ponies can carry a higher
percentage of their weight easier than a larger horse and in my experience it’s
held true.
Possibly due to the tough but relatively slow pace
of Tevis, the results would not be the same at a faster ride or an easier
ride. Was Deb Bennett referring to any specific type of riding, such as
jumping or 3 day eventing. Maybe in those disciplines you do need to stay at or
below 20% to protect your horse, but certainly not for trail or endurance
riding..IMO.
Kathy
I finally had the
time to read these posts in detail and have a few
questions/speculations.
Would it be fair to
say that the parameters below for Tevis could be extrapolated to 50s or
even pleasure riding? Eg, if a horse/rider under a combined 1200# can finish a 100 mile
ride and be fit top= continue, wouldn't you say that in a 50 mile
ride or a pleasure ride, the same would be true? Just because of the
lesser exertion on the team.
If that is so, then
why do I keep hearing a LOT of people bandy about the 20% rider weight
"rule"? Even Deb Bennett recently stated in Equus Mar 2007 that "when the [rider weight] percentage rises to
20 extra care must be taken." She does go on to say that conformation
and bone structure also matter - but has IMO nonetheless perpetuated the 20%
rule/myth/whatever.
Maybe it's just one
of those old "rules of thumb" that people can't let go?
