Shush, tg610.  Way too many people here already... don't talk it up.

Except for the entire wardrope of layers you've gotta haul around with you.  I keep snow boots in my car for 9 months of the year!

Yeah, what I worry about is that if we all have to report our weight when we buy tickets (or at check-in) that they'll start organizing the seating chart to alternate fat folks with skinny folks.  So I'm pretty petite at 5'3" and 106 lbs. and I'm afraid that with "smart" seating or something, I'll get placed next to a ...more

Can you imagine?  That'd be like sitting on a propane tank!  Or like doing the splits!  :)

Ditto the gaited mule.  Some of those riding mules look amazing.  I've heard they're wicked smart though and can give the inexperienced rider a lot of trouble.

Recording vital signs during one exercise doesn't take into account the long-term effects though - the wear and tear on joints and tendons.

I agree that backyard breeders are a problem and often produce sub-par animals.  And I have seen several first-time horse buyers buy some pretty bad looking animals.  And I used to think that all saddles were the same until I bought a Tennesse Walker and couldn't figure out why he was uncomfortable with my Quarter Hors...more

15% makes a lot more sense to me than 10%.  I am 106 lbs. and my boy weighs around 900-950.  I'm pretty petite, but according to this study, I'd be too heavy for my own horse!  And I don't think that I am because he often forgets that he has a passenger.  :)  Yet, I noticed once this winter when we hit a really icy str...more

I'm pretty petite at 106 lbs. and I ride a smaller horse because of it.  My beast is around 900, maybe 950 lbs right now (porked out for the winter).  So I am 11% or 12% of his weight.  If this study is correct, then even I'm too heavy for him.  That 10% figure just doesn't seem right.