Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Rider size

>> ... Without getting into a debate about the direction of
>>endurance, it is simply a trend and one we can watch and learn from. I
>> imagine the THEORY is: the taller the horse, the longer the stride so
>> given that two horse are equal in other criteria, the longer strided
>> horse has the edge.
>
> But that's just backwards.  That longer stride comes from longer legs.
> Longer legs means more leverage (hence more stress) on the bones,
> joints and connective tissue (tendons and such).  The horse must also
> use more energy to move those longer legs.  No, it's been my
> experience over many thousands of miles that, except on a flat easy
> trail, the shorter horse has the edge.

Joe is absolutely right that when one factors in all of the biomechanical
things that happen in making a horse taller, any advantage of a longer
stride is more than offset by the mechanical disadvantages involved. 
Furthermore, the point that so many miss is that the taller horses are so
rarely equal in other criteria.  Those few that are manage to persevere,
but they are a small minority.

>>We need not debate here-- time will tell.
>
> I'd say time has already told, very clearly, to those who will look.

Yes, the evidence is out there for any who care to look.  And it
apparently has been pretty evident for a long time, judging by what Albert
Harris had to say nearly 60 years ago.  Back then, horses were still a
primary mode of transportation and work for a great many, and the horsemen
in that era certainly had plenty of experience with which to judge.

> I don't know of anyone who wants to dictate what people can breed, buy
> or ride.  I will try to inform people who are about to make that
> choice.

So well put, Joe--I don't think any of us wants to dictate choices, but it
behooves the buyer to avail himself or herself of as many experienced and
educated viewpoints as possible.  One is also free to make the choice
between wanting to "feel good" (for whatever reason) on a taller horse, or
to play the odds to try to put together a winning team.  The former is not
wrong--but one should be honest about why it is that one makes the choices
one does.

Heidi



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