Re: RC: Fwd: RC: Re: Re: Re: Getting Pulled

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/30/00 7:23:27 AM Pacific Daylight Time, DVeritas@aol.com 
writes:

<<   Each regional group of endurance riders KNOW why horses don't complete.
     The vets KNOW why horses don't complete. >>

Collectively--not always.  For instance, here in the NW we "know" that most 
pull for lameness.  In the SE, they "know" that most pull for metabolic.  But 
by getting more specific as to WHY (glad to see vet forms now coming out 
asking for what TYPES of lameness, metabolic problems, etc.) and starting to 
relate that information to terrain, weather, etc., hopefully we can help 
riders to better prepare, design trails to meet horses' needs, etc.  
(Example--we see metabolic pulls on Ride A under these conditions but not at 
Ride B--and because we compare the two, we find out that Ride A has a long 
stretch with little water followed by a big climb--might be alleviated if 
management hauls a water tank to a particular spot.)  Yes, the good vets and 
managers "understand" these things by experience, but it helps to educate 
others.

Heidi