May I have your permission to print, copy, and distribut your message re.
weight carrying ability to my students and employees? I've never read it
put so well!
I have the hardest time trying to convince my staff that our two realtively
long backed, 17.2hh TBs are less capable of carrying our occasional 270
pound rider that is one of my stout, short coupled, 15.1 hh arabians. The
factor of torque when a horse is carrying a lot of weight high above the
ground also has to be considered when the trail will have twists, turns, and
verticle variations.
A few years ago, I won three 50s, placing 2nd & 4th on two others on a 12.2
hh Arab/Welsh cross who weighed 650 lbs dripping wet. Some people might
have thought I was asking too much of a "pony", but since I weighed in at
about 125 with tack, my little guy had it pretty easy! When I used him for
the championship Ride & Tie with a rider who weighed about 25 pounds more
than me, we placed higher than I ever have in that event at 3rd place womans
team. He also carried a 200 lb, 6' man out of the canyon into Michigan
Bluff on the Tevis trail one year (long story...)
I very much enjoy your postings, Kat. Thanks much.
Lari
Lari Shea http://www.horse-vacation.com
Ricochet Ridge Ranch Riding Vacations on the Mendocino Coast with
24201 North Highway One Lodging at Unique B&B Inns; International Riding
Fort Bragg, CA 95437 Akhal Teke and Russian Orlov/cross horses
707-964-7669ph/ 707-964-9669 fax At stud: RRR Stolichnaya & RRR Russia
1-888-TREK-RRR (888-873-5777)