Re: weighting saddles

["Susan Garlinghouse" <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

It's not a topic that's been fully explored in endurance horses, but there
is published research that indicates that weight becomes less of a factor
the longer the distance is, simply because your energetics are different
between a sprinting thoroughbred utilizing primarily glucose and an
endurance horse utilizing primarily free fatty acids.  This is not to say
that weight doesn't have an effect, but it's a complex subject and you can't
easily say that because one horse is carrying a lighter rider, it has a
clear advantage.  The size and weight of the horse are also big factors, as
well as condition score of the horse, relative relationships of weights
between horse and rider, etc.

However, I agree that weight scoring as it stands is an inaccurate one and
could be improved (or should be eliminated).

Susan G


> Have to admit I think this is a worthy topic of discussion for the sport.
> Carrying more weight over distance just had to be a HUGE disadvantage.
If
> 'handicapping' a flat racer with 5 -10 # makes a difference over a mile,
what
> would happen to a strong running endurance horse carrying a HW, if he were
> ridden by someone 40 lbs lighter?   Our current system seems to
acknowledge
> that in the points, but not in the "wins"   I wonder if we should be
taking
> it into consideration more?  Has this been beat to death on RC previously?
> pat farmer
>
>
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