horse incident at Oakland Hills

[Laney Humphrey <laneyh@mbay.net>]

Hi all,
    Before we leap to conclusions, let's have some facts. 
The rider/horse were camped right next to us and the horse was in full
view Sat. evening, night and Sun. morning.  It looked tired but that
really was about all.  The ride manager came over to check on the
horse early Sun. morning and we left about 9.  At that time the horse
was definitely standing on all 4s.  I can't say what happened after
that.
    I do know that ride management and park personnel
as well as vets and lots of other people spent a lot of time and energy
helping that horse.  They certainly richly deserve the rider's gratitude. 
I am in no position to say whether wrong was done to the horse by the rider
and/or whether he deserves "punishment" for his actions but if there is
no AERC mechanism for investigating alleged incidents of dangerous horsemanship
perhaps it is up to us as members to suggest to our Board that such a procedure
be developed.
Cheers, Laney