Horses usually weigh about 1,000 pounds. And all of that weight must me supported by four hooves. It's amazing that their hooves can handle that kind of pressure.
But to add on to that, when you put a saddle and rider on that horse's back, it can add up to 200 extra pounds, depending on the rider and discipline. And their hooves can still handle it! It's really amazing.
But it gets too far when you add a 4 foot tall obstacle in front of the horse, and make him clear it.
Now, horses naturally carry 80% of their body weight on their front hooves. So when you have about 800 pounds on the front hooves, and the added weight of the rider, that's nearly all of the horse's weight all on his front legs.
So, when you ask him to clear the obstacle in front of him, he has to land. When he lands, 100% of his body weight is on his front, plus the rider's weight. It's not what the horse is built to deal with.
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This is what landing looks like close up.
And if 4ft wasn't enough...
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This horse is jumping about 7ft This is going to cause the horse misery in its later years.
And that brings me to my next reason.
Problem 4: Health issues
Landing like that for the entirety of the horse's life will take a toll on his physical health.
Things that are common in old jumping horses:
1.) Arthritis 2.) Permanent Lameness 3.) Irreversible hoof cracks 4.) Fetlock problems 5.) Sway back 6.) Popped ligaments (these can be treated)
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