Re: Weight Issue here we go again

[vanhove@unavco.ucar.edu (Teresa Van Hove)]

Here we go again,

Those of us who have been around have heard this discussion multiple times
already.  All of the old discussions are in the archives.  In general a 
1100 lb horse has to work harder to carry his own weight than a 700
lb horse - so he is working harder before you even put rider weight on.  
A compact but well built horse can carry weight easier than a tall lanky
one - my very heavy weight father rides a 14.3 hand QH mare - this mare is
the only horse we have with the short strong back plus heavy bone to handle
him (he does not race - just trail rides) If you really need to read all the
arguments why dont you try searching the archives - This list is very nice
in having all the old posts very accessible.   



Teresa


> 
> I am relatively new at all this and have wondered about the 165 lb. 
> weight requirement as well, particularly as I am planning to work up to 
> the Tevis.  It's not me that I am worried about though,--it's my "small" 
> horse.  I'm a fairly small person (105 lbs.) and she is a fairly small, 
> light horse (14.1 h, 700 lbs.?).  We're sized well together, kind of like 
>  I'd imagine a 210 lb. guy would be on a 15.2 hand horse. It doesn't seem 
> fair to me that more weight would need to be put on my mare in order to 
> compete.  Why can't the entire package (horse & rider and how they 
> fit or balance) be considered?  I have a friend who has a 13.3 hand 
> dynamo gelding. Is it fair that he has to carry 165 lbs to 
> compete--especially since a 16 h. horse can get by on carrying the same 
> weight?  I'm looking forward to folks opinions on this.
> 
> Mary & Mariah
> Grass Valley, CA
>