Ridecamp: Re[2]: [RC] Pre-Ride VC Issues and a few others

More points on this issue.

Have the rides where strict pre-vetting both  east and west - used the
SAME criteria at All the vet checks AND THE FINISH.
In plain words would a horse that was not allowed to start due to an un-even gait
 or some other 'failed' criteria not based on the AERC
definition of lameness, be pulled at a VC or the finish?

A bobble or uneven gait that prevented a horse from starting should
also pull the horse at the finish.

Are we coming to a position that ANY gait abnormality that may be
seen  no matter how slight that  would prevent a horse from starting
would prevent a horse from finishing?  Or should it?

Are we accepting the Australian 'lamenesss' policy of ANY noted gait
variation from pure sound will get you pulled?
That is a  G1  will result in a pull. The ZERO tolerance of gait
abnormality is not what our rule says.
Even our completion criteria  allows for a degradation in parameters
 since the horse really is NOT going back out on the trail.

Lets try to present a pattern for evaluation. Without a video its
difficult to show this in words  but I will try.

Our lameness definition says a horse is lame and not fit to continue IF
he displays an abnormally of gait  actually aberration of gait - that is
consistently observable under all circumstances  that results in
pain or threatens  immediate athletic performance. All can read
6.2.1.4 on page 8 of our Rules.  I concur 100 percent with that
section.

So does a bobble here a toe drag there short stride in one direction,
 fall under this definition. I think not.  Does it apply equally to
the start as well as the finish?

Lets try this- you watch a horse trot it goes like this  on every
stride:

1 bob bob bob  head move 1/2 inch but noted
2. BOB BOB BOB head moves 3 inch sure is noted
3. KABOB KABOB KABOB head move the length of the neck  Well noted

ALL ARE DEAD LAME and should be eliminated.

What about
bob-trot trot trot trot bob trot trot.

Coming lame -maybe could be a club foot  - unbalanced shoe
Pull for that? I prefer to get the shoer to take a look, but may not
ELECT to pull,
Seems if we adopt that policy NO bob at all then we have only one
option - no horse with ANY display of a less then pure gait should start or complete.
Our current rules do not agree with that.
A vet could and should advise the rider there MAY be a problem -
undefined  and he may recommend the rider not start or pull, but at
this point in the evaluation the horse is still fit to continue under
the current rule defined above.

The rider has the choice and knows the horse. The vet advises the rider
of what he sees or thinks he sees, but if it is not consistent
within the definition of 6.2.1.4 the vet should NOT pull the horse.

The reason this rule was developed and accepted was to preclude the
type of actions and decisions we are now seeing at rides. NOT just
the OD.


IF the purpose of the gang group vetting was to establish a baseline
for all the vets to use at all the vet checks and the finish, then one
could assume once established  and based on the definition developed at the
ride vs the written definition (rule) the same criteria was applied
equally and consistently all day. Was  it?
 Did any horse with a 'slightly inconsistent gait earn completion?

We do not need a change in the rule just compliance.



Roger R



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