Horse vs. 18 men in tug-of-war - GIF

[Jon]

Horse vs. 18 men in tug-of-war.

[Frank S]

No contest at all note hoe the horse powers off using both hind legs in short piston pumping thrusts until it senses lest resistance then just goes into a walk.
The humans although their total combined weight would probably be close to double the weight of the horse and technically should be capable of producing a combined power of 3 HP using the average human Hp expectancy of 1/6 hp per person are unable to coordinate anywhere near their full potential Partially because they were not trained to function as a unit. Had this been 18 of the workers who were used to drag the huge stone blocks the pyramids were constructed from they would have easily given the horse some stiff competition they may not have won but would have been able to hold their ground much longer.

[Jon]

Also, in contests like this, doesn't the horse have an advantage because it can more efficiently exert its energy? 4 legs vs 36 legs? A single controller vs. 18 different controllers? Or do tug-of-wars somehow have a balancing effect that would even that out?

[Frank S]

Also, in contests like this, doesn't the horse have an advantage because it can more efficiently exert its energy? 4 legs vs 36 legs? A single controller vs. 18 different controllers?

Absolutely.

[Jon]

I like how we get these guys in the same frame:

[Frank S]

I like how we get these guys in the same frame:

Yep that is a wiry bunch of tough hombre's any one of them could turn the tables on several dozen of those draft horses

[ranald]

Absolutely.

Also a Clydedale is a torque animal whereas besides what has previously been mentioned some of the guys were a little long in the tooth. I can not do what i did 5 to 10 years ago.
Yesterday I had my son help me carry my old generator (an Ausie 5 Kw genlite coupled with a 11hp honda) and he complained about the weight. I told him I used to carry it on my own & lift into the truck when I had no staff & he asked if it had wheels back then: it has two handles & not a frame for a reason= LOL.

[Rattlerjake]

And yet one man can control that same horse!

[Jon]

[Philip Davies]

I see he burnt his finger. But, never having seen this done, it is extraordinarily impressive. I remember, as a child, trying to lasso, following comic book depictions. That the rider’s pony can stand the shock is astonishing to me. Does the rope not part sometimes? I can imagine blindness as well as lost fingers!