Re: RC: AERC and charges

[SandyDSA@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/1/01 7:04:46 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
LSimoni197@aol.com writes:


> "No new rider should join AERC, or do our rides."
>
> I am so sorry any horse ever dies, yet all horses will die.
> Most of us do our best to keep our horses heathly and sound, yet even in 
> pasture and stalls illness, injury and death occur.  Why, or how do you 
> think 
> they can be totally avoided on a ride?

Goodness, this train of thought is frightening to me. Yes, horses die - but 
generally NOT at the hands of their owners/guardians who are responsible for 
KEEPING the from dying. Even profound ignorance can be somewhat forgiven, 
since far too many HORSE owners are terribly ignorant, let alone those 
purporting to be skilled enough to ride 50 or more miles; but to indicate 
that it is not unusual for a horse to die at a ride is just downright, 
head-shaking wrong. Sorry, but horses should NOT die at rides - yes, some do, 
but this should NEVER be considered normal, acceptable or (perish the 
thought) part of the game. No indeed - when we have a profusion of 
information, attendant vets and RMS, medical emergency help available, WHY OH 
WHY would ANY rider not avail him or herself of those things in order to save 
his partner's LIFE?????No - sorry - absolutely NO excuse in the world will 
satisfy THIS rider, who wouldn't DREAM of refusing help for my partner in 
this event - a trailer ride, medical intervention, etc - this is just 
downright foolish. These people shouldn't have pets of any kind - or most 
probably children, either.
s