Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the hypothetical scenario of a horse using human feet instead of hooves and the impact this change would have on the horse's kicking power. Participants explore the concept of "kicking power" and its implications in terms of strength, anatomy, and comparisons to human martial arts techniques.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants suggest that horses have significant power in their glutes, but question how much power would be lost if they had human feet instead of hooves, with one estimating a 30% loss.
- Another participant proposes comparing the strongest horse kick to the strongest human martial arts kick to gauge the difference in kicking power, noting that the strongest human kick is near the limit of the human foot's capability.
- A participant emphasizes the need to define "kicking power" clearly to facilitate meaningful discussion.
- One contributor argues that while horses are powerful, their hooves play a crucial role in their kicking ability, suggesting that the tool (hooves vs. human feet) significantly affects the outcome.
- Another participant elaborates on the anatomy of the hoof, explaining that it is not directly attached to the bone and has a pad of load-spreading tissue, which may influence the kicking power.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the extent of power loss and the importance of defining kicking power. There is no consensus on the percentage of power loss or the implications of using human feet instead of hooves.
Contextual Notes
The discussion lacks a clear definition of "kicking power," which may affect the analysis. Additionally, assumptions about the anatomical differences between hooves and human feet are not fully explored.