Encumbrance of a horse - Page 4

Anders · 07-13-2011, 02:07 PM

Over long distances we definitely win. Humans are exceptional long distance runners.

Novembermike · 07-13-2011, 02:17 PM

The character is way overweight. A realistic knight is probably closer to 180 lbs naked with ~45 lbs of armor on (remember, you probably don't need armor around the groin and inner legs, and a lot of your armor is going to be light or medium plate rather than the heavy stuff) and ~2.5 lb sword, maybe a 5 lb shield and a 6-7 lb lance. That gives you ~240 lbs for the horse to carry, which is a lot more reasonable. Add in ~70 lbs of armor for the horse and you're at about 300 lbs, which should be doable.

Basically, the character is overweight, his equipment is overweight and the armor is overweight.

acrosome · 07-16-2011, 10:55 AM

IIRC humans are endurance pack hunters. We eventually specialized into big game hunters who would run down antelope (or whatever) over very long distances, waiting for the prey to keel over. I'm talking about pursuits that last a week or so. We're not great sprinters, comparatively, but we've got the endurance and don't overheat as easily.

Danukian · 07-16-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acrosome

IIRC humans are endurance pack hunters. We eventually specialized into big game hunters who would run down antelope (or whatever) over very long distances, waiting for the prey to keel over. I'm talking about pursuits that last a week or so. We're not great sprinters, comparatively, but we've got the endurance and don't overheat as easily.

I recently saw a British documentary that compared Humans to wolves: just about the only 2 long-endurance pack hunters that are active by day, and a major factor in why scientists now (in the last 4 years) think wolves were domesticated almost as soon as fire was developed as a reliable tool.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asta Kask

Over long distances we definitely win. Humans are exceptional long distance runners.

To paraphrase Agent K "A person is {an exceptional long distance runner}. People are dumb, {lazy}, dangerous animals, and you know it". ;p

fredtheobviouspseudonym · 07-16-2011, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruno

I've ridden a misbegotten quarter horse-Clydesdale crossbreed. It's a lot like sitting on a very hard bicycle seat on an old bike with little or no suspension and hard tires, and driving over the worst potholes ever. It HURTS.

IIRC skeletal studies of people from old riding societies (Scythian, Mongol, etc.) show almost universal evidence of lower back problems.

07-13-2011, 02:07 PM	#31
Anders Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gothenburg, Sweden	Re: Encumbrance of a horse Over long distances we definitely win. Humans are exceptional long distance runners. __________________ “When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ...” Marcus Aurelius

07-13-2011, 02:17 PM	#32
Novembermike Join Date: Apr 2011	Re: Encumbrance of a horse The character is way overweight. A realistic knight is probably closer to 180 lbs naked with ~45 lbs of armor on (remember, you probably don't need armor around the groin and inner legs, and a lot of your armor is going to be light or medium plate rather than the heavy stuff) and ~2.5 lb sword, maybe a 5 lb shield and a 6-7 lb lance. That gives you ~240 lbs for the horse to carry, which is a lot more reasonable. Add in ~70 lbs of armor for the horse and you're at about 300 lbs, which should be doable. Basically, the character is overweight, his equipment is overweight and the armor is overweight.

07-16-2011, 10:55 AM	#33
acrosome Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: The Land of Enchantment	Re: Encumbrance of a horse IIRC humans are endurance pack hunters. We eventually specialized into big game hunters who would run down antelope (or whatever) over very long distances, waiting for the prey to keel over. I'm talking about pursuits that last a week or so. We're not great sprinters, comparatively, but we've got the endurance and don't overheat as easily.