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

Roger - you want reponses - I'll respond to the specific items that you
stated you would change:

RR>>1. CRI at all rides at all Vet Checks  NOT AT THE FINISH.

I think that the more information we have about our horses' condition, the
better off we are. I support having CRI's at all Vet Checks - the vets that
do it regularly don't take any longer to evaluate the horse than those that
don't. They just incorporate it into the trot-out phase of the evaluation.
But, it must be done consistently and correctly for it to be valuable. And I
don't think that a funky CRI should be a reason to pull a horse if
everything else looks ok, though it can be used to caution and educate the
rider, and as part of the continuing evaluation during the course of the
ride. I see no problem in doing a CRI at the finish, (though I'm not sure I
would support it as a requirement) - it's more information about your horse.
This is good thing.

But - I don't support making it a rule to perform a CRI at every check.
There are many parameters that the vets use - mucous membranes, jugular and
capillary refill, etc. They are usually checkboxes on the vet card - and
recommended in the vet handbook. This should be enough, have a checkbox,
recommend that CRI's be done, rely on education to encourage vets to use it
(and make sure they know how to do it correctly) - there is no need to make
a new rule to cover this.

RR>>2. NO chasing hazing of horses by anyone at the VC to obtain a trot.
Crops for unruly horses only, NOT to make a horse trot.

This isn't a big issue to me - often it really is a matter of training and
technique. I would not recommend pulling a horse or denying completion
simply because it is not willing to trot out w/o hazing. I don't agree with
this.

3. Fix COMPLETION PULSE to 64 for 50 miles and up (NO more lower 60 pulse
for completion).

No - I disagree (and do agree with Bob Morris on this) - ambient conditions
should determine pulse criteria.

4. Completion time at finish LEFT as is at one hour - incudes pulse recovery
and vet out process. (NOT the 30 minute pulse recovery I have seen at a few
rides)

Agree.

5. More then ONE VC on 50 milers and above. Some standard on the
number of VC per mileage and conditions- yes within reason- may not apply to
ALL
rides.

No - I don't agree with this. As a ride manager I think that flexibility in
loop length is important, and as a rider who has done many multiday miles
which usually have only one vet check with loops of 20-30 miles in length, I
have not seen a problem in horse health or performance, and can see no
reason to change these rides.

I think there are very significant regional differences in our sport - some
regions have more entries per ride, and more competition. Some have a few
who race, but more who just ride for the fun and scenery. Some have heat and
humidity, some don't. It's pretty tough to ask rides and ride managers in
the mellow regions to change their way of doing things, for the sake of
rides and riders in regions which have more challenging conditions and a
higher level of competition. Better to adjust each ride according to the
challenges that it offers.

Steph


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