Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Green Horses/sour grapes

Good points, Angie.  Personally, while I haven't done endurance, I HAVE
worked cattle, and I can guarantee that when they decide to kick there isn't
any warning at all.  I've never been kicked by a horse, because I keep and
eye out for the warning signs.  A horse will generally tell us there's an
explosion coming, if we just take the time to watch for the warning signals.

I look at it this way--if someone is riding in a group (endurance, show
ring, riding trail, etc)--it is their responsibility to pay attention to
what other riders and horses tell them.  If they don't, and they end up
getting hurt because of it, the lion's share of responsibility for their
injury is theirs.  That's not to say there aren't any genuine
accidents...but people who take the "I'm exempt" avenue down the trail of
life generally end up finding out the hard way that they are NOT exempt.
Unfortunately, they rarely learn from their experiences, and generally also
are charter members in the "It's everyone else's fault but mine" club.

Rule of thumb--if you spend time around large animals, sooner or later
you're going to get hurt.  It's was the very first statement we heard in
Animal Science 101.  They're bigger than we are, and their brains are
smaller.  They don't reason, they simply react.  It's up to us to look out
for ourselves when we're around them.  When we don't, we get hurt when they
come unglued.

I love animals--horses, cattle, dogs, and for some bizarre reason I'm
beginning to enjoy being around sheep (aka wool-covered giant ping-pong
balls with legs and horns).  I've been bit, kicked, and butted.  It was my
fault every time.  I admit it, and I try to learn from each experience.  I'm
fortunate--I've been around animals for many years, and the worst injury
I've ever had was a broken toe.  In other words---my time is coming!  =)


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