Does the Rider’s Weight Influence a Horse’s?Performance?

The equestrian sport or horseback riding in general has travelled through centuries to embrace the ever-evolving culture. From the means of combat to the thrilling sport of today, the practice has taken on newer forms. However, lasting through it all, the sport today highly focuses on the bond between human and equine athletes. Be it horse racing across a mile track or jumping over a complex design course, the horses and humans primarily anchor for steadiness.

For a performance worthy of contests, both horses and riders are obliged to undergo intense training. While skills and coordination mark the highlight of these sessions, they aren’t all the factors considered. A rider’s weight being in correspondence to that of the horse is often a matter to look at and very necessarily so.

The effect of rider’s weight

Horses are some of the most majestic creatures that the world has to offer. An average racing horse is measured at about 16 hands (64 inches, or 163 cm), weighing nearly 1000 pounds or 450 kgs. While these equines adorn the qualities of magnificent build and ever-so-gentle features, they do not remain invincible. Having to carry a weight larger than the limit could adversely affect the performance of a horse.

Strain, restriction in movement, endurance, and balance are some of the factors that weight impacts upon during performances. A study, headed by Sue Dyson, showcased the effects of varying designations describing the performances of a horse. The report stated, ‘horses with low-grade lameness when ridden by a lightweight rider tended to show more obvious lameness when mounted with a heavier rider.’ It further reported that it proves ideal to fit bigger riders with bigger horses; better the weight distribution, better the horse comfort. A live example of this is interestingly in practice in the industry.

The practice of Handicap horse racing

In handicap racing horses are allotted different weights during the races. The authorities analyze the past performances of the horses to fairly assign weights for the athletes. A horse with a better past carries heavier weights while slower equines go with lower mounts. The practice is put forth in order to equalize the chances of the competitors. The purpose ultimately stands to state that the weight a horse carries affects the speed at which it will gallop. This pushes to the goal of having the athletes finish in a straight line.

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The very concept of handicap racing supports the idea of weight affecting a horse’s performance. While one may argue about the negatively affecting distribution, the board has been rather considerate. Learning the effects of the designation, the horse racing industry stands to impose rider restrictions in the community.

Rider weight regulations

In a general dissertation, it is said that a horse can tolerate about 20% of its body weight. However, coming to regulatory bodies, the authorities take into consideration various factors of stature, skills, and experience to decide the restrictions imposed. As per the UK guidelines, a rider is limited to 10% of the equine’s weight while the USA pushes it to 20%. So, if a horse weighs 450 kg, the rider stops at about 67. As for the Australian horse racing community, the number shoots back up to 20%.

While these countries may have regularized the 20% remark, it doesn’t seem to be an ideal situation. According to enthusiasts, the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour indicates that ‘anything over 15% puts the horse health at risk’. Thus, maintaining a strict monitoring of the set rules deemed necessary for the equine well-being; protecting them from not just minor inconveniences but major hazards.

Knowing when to stop

Very often, horses find themselves on the brink of abuse and negligence due to an authority’s actions. While most of these stem from unkind treatment, a wrongful input of weight -often overlooked- adds on to the list. A study reports that a horse carrying 15-20% of its weight for about 45 minutes showed ‘minimal signs of stress.’ Further, having heavy-weight riders on the arch posed an even greater threat. Early arthritis, joint issues, back issues, laminitis, and behavioral issues including bucking are reported to overtake the equines; as per a study conducted by Dr Hayley Randle.

A study by US Polo suggests that heavier weights can act as an obstacle for both the rider and the equine. It states that the weight restricts the movements of the horses. The underlying condition for the same is embraced by the role of an equine’s spine. The study reads, ‘A horse?s spine is integral to their locomotion.’ The suggestion further affects the horse’s moves, performance, and well-being with proper or improper loading.

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