Caring for your horse

[SandyDSA@aol.com]

HOW ABOUT A NEW DILEMMA?  - at Hog Wild, my daughter who was not riding but 
crewing for me (for a change:)!) ended up holding and caring for a horse that 
belonged to one of our local riders - a woman, rather heavy set with long 
hair. I know her face but not her name. My daughter took your horse's saddle 
off, sponged and scooped your horse cool, made sure he (she) drank again and 
again, fed your horse and ultimately spent about 45 minutes with YOUR HORSE - 
while you sat in a chair and complained about your own fatigue. You left your 
horse with reins hanging when you went to sit down, unattended and LOOSE! He 
obviously needed care but you left him anyway. My daughter made sure he got 
to the vet. I was disgusted. At Malibu the same thing happened only my 
daughter, who recognized you, was too busy with out own horses, hers included 
to repeat her care from Hog Wild. 

This isn't a ride management problem nor even a racing problem but a very 
fundamental "what the ^%&$ are you DOING???" problem.  

Okay - there is the story and here is the moral - if you don't want to care 
for your horse, DON'T RIDE! My daughter is still learning a lot about care 
and responsibility and her many questions about this irresponsible behavior 
could not easily be answered.  The QUESTION is - confronted with the same 
situation, what would the rest of you do? I am thinking about a course of 
action I would take but would like to hear from others. ANYONE??
s