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RE: [RC] rider weight studies, part 1 - Mike Sherrell

This would not be the first time Deb Bennett sounded more expert than she really was.
 

Regards,

Mike Sherrell
Grizzly Analytical
707 887 2919; fax 707 887 9834
www.grizzlyanalytical.com

-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Kristen A Fisher
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 6:35 PM
To: suendavid@xxxxxxx; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [RC] rider weight studies, part 1

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?
 
Kristen
 


From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Susan E. Garlinghouse, DVM
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 4:37 PM
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [RC] rider weight studies, part 1

The conclusion that is drawn in the study is that all other things being equal (as far as those parameters which could be quantitatively measured), a horse and rider team carrying heavier total weight is at a disadvantage over a horse/rider team carrying less weight, REGARDLESS of how the weight is divided between horse and rider (within reason).  Example, a 1200 lb horse carrying a 200 lb rider, carrying less than 17% of his body weight, is still at a biomechanical disadvantage over a 900 horse carrying the same rider, even though the smaller horse is carrying over 22% of his body weight.


Replies
RE: [RC] rider weight studies, part 1, Kristen A Fisher