horse weights?

[smokeit34]

new to horses normally stick to football but after a nice win have been having a wee punt on some races... just looking to understand weights more... which number is the weight and the weight of what? horse or and jockey? and also how does fall in weight and rise in weight usually affect a horse?? may seem daft questions but grateful for friendly answer :) :dude

[Gingertipster]

Re: horse weights? Smokeit, Everyone is a novice once. Ask all the questions you like. There is a Q and A section in the stickies you might find interesting. The weight is the weight carried by the horse (including jockey and saddle etc). You will typically see something like 8 11-7. Meaning an eight year old carrying 11 stones 7 pounds. More weight slows a horse down, less weight means it can go faster. In handicaps the handicapper who allots the weights tries to give each horse a weight that would enable all runners to finish in a line (dead heat). Good luck, and keep stakes small to start with.:ok