This equation allows you to approximate the acceleration it will take for a horse and rider to achieve the horse's top speed from a standstill. This is obviously just an equation used to generate a gross estimate and is used purely for conversation purposes.
You may enter your top speed estimate for a horse and rider or use the default value which comes from the vCalc constant: Top Speed of a Horse. You may also enter a duration for the time it will take to accelerate to a full gallop, or use the default estimate which is based on Penny's acceleration period (Penny is a competition Polo Pony).
This equation makes a number of assumptions, obviously, as the time will vary widely depending on the type of horse, the rider experience, the maximum speed of the horse, etc.
- This equation assumes the horse and rider are standing still before launching toward a full gallop.
- It assumes linear acceleration during the period when the horse is going from standing still to a full gallop, thus this is better described as estimating an "average" acceleration.
- It limits the maximum speed to the Top Speed of a Horse constant in vCalc, which is itself an estimate.
- The default duration for the acceleration period is set to an estimate based on specific competition Polo Pony named Penny.
- The default top speed of a horse is derived from a website showing top speeds for a number of animals (see Top Speed of a Horse). This equation assumes this maximum speed is achievable over the estimated acceleration period and that the rider has no impact on the maximum speed achievable by the horse. I know, that's a little optimistic.