04-25-2017, 10:59 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Maximum speed for riding a 'horse'...
Hypothetically, one could have a robot horse, and at high TLs it could potentially run much faster than a living horse. What I'm wondering is what the maximum speed of a horse, robotic or other, at full gallop, that a human could reasonably hope to ride and stay safely on, for more than a few moments. Which would be the bigger issue, the speed or the 'ride'?
(Assuming a normal, unaugmented human in good physical shape and a skilled rider, that is.)
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04-26-2017, 12:02 AM | #2 |
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: 100 hurricane swamp
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Re: Maximum speed for riding a 'horse'...
This depends entirely on the saddle and whether the robo-horse is designed for a rider at those speeds.
Theoretically? With the proper saddle and designed horse, almost any speed. The ride, which is why I'm caveating it with "properly designed horse". One designed for a smooth ride at all speeds makes it extremely easy to remain seated. At that point it becomes wind resistance that will pull a rider from the horse (or inertia if the horse can handle hard turns at high speeds). With a smooth ride and well designed saddle (one more like a full backed seat) and a rider could stay on at some really high speeds. Baring the two above? Not sure. |
04-26-2017, 12:04 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Portsmouth, VA, USA
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Re: Maximum speed for riding a 'horse'...
i wrote an article in #3/95 Pyramid: Overland Adventures called "Low-Tech Transportation" that may be of some help. (Designer's notes here.)
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04-26-2017, 02:32 AM | #4 |
Night Watchman
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cambridge, UK
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Re: Maximum speed for riding a 'horse'...
At this point, it becomes rather like a motorcycle. Eye protection is the first requirement as speed increases, followed by thoroughly windproof clothing, and then some kind of windshield.
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04-26-2017, 05:17 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Re: Maximum speed for riding a 'horse'...
Are you sure? There are some mechanical limits based in leg geometry and gravity after all. I suppose in principle you can add a jet engine or something to add additional thrust over what you can apply to the ground through the legs and extend the length of each bound that way, but at some point you have something that is more aircraft than a horse.
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04-26-2017, 11:19 AM | #6 | |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Berkeley, CA
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Re: Maximum speed for riding a 'horse'...
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04-26-2017, 01:20 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Re: Maximum speed for riding a 'horse'...
Horses have gaits: walk, trot (some horses pace instead), canter, gallop. Standardbreds race at the trot or pace. A 50 mph trot might be quite ridable.
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