Re: RC: Norco injury

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 9/2/01 3:58:18 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
guest@endurance.net writes:


> .  Me, being the silly
> inexperienced novice (let's get that out of the way), am
> simply horrified to think that her mare (who lives next door to my horse)
> suffered without vet attention or at least a ride to
> the camp.  Is that typical of endurance rides?  Should I give
> up the idea of participating right now for fear my horse would
> be left to die?  Because if that is how emergency situations
> are handled and prioritized...count me out.  


I guess you have to take into account that you are riding a horse for 50/100 
whatever miles and you are not always going to be close to a rescue trailer 
or a veterinarian.  If you can't deal with that fact, then you definitely 
should stick to an arena.  Another thing to consider (as far as the horse 
nicking an artery and bleeding)....horses have lots of blood.  What might 
look like a scene from Silence of the Lambs is really not a life threatening 
amount of blood in a horse.  Apply pressure, wait for the bleeding to 
slow/stop then walk to the nearest help spot.  Believe me I know how scary it 
is....I had to walk/ride basically 14 miles to get my horse to a rescue 
trailer at this year's Tevis.  Do I blame the ride?  Nope.  Do I think I 
shouldn't have been out there?  Nope.  Stuff happens and I really think if I 
asked my horse "Do you wanna stick to the arena where its safe, or do you 
wanna hit the trail?"  He'd vote Trail every time (me too!).

Bottom line... its just about impossible to have vets/rescue trailers 
available within 1/2 mile of each and every possible accident location 
(horses being basically accidents waiting to happen and all).  If that idea 
bothers you enough, then no, you shouldn't give endurance a try.

Sylvia & Harca