Ridecamp: [RC] re: Rogers post on vetting

I have to agree (from a different perspective) that I don't like this
AERC approach to ride vetting.  As a RM putting on a ride in a less
populated region my ride vets were all experienced horse vets, and with
some ride vetting experience but not a lot.  I'm sure the vets would
have been more comfortable if the AERC vet handbook gave more decisive
guidelines (I did think the 2001 update was better.)   

Unless AERC really wants to limit endurance to places where its already
established; I think it would be helpful to have more materials
available to the ride vets, instead of AERC just telling them that they
(the vets) know best.  The earlier vet book especially seemed to be
written not to step on any toes, rather than to provide useful
information on AERC vetting stds.

My take on the current AERC thinking is that new vets are expected to be
non head vet at rides where the head vet is a very experienced AERC ride
vet and to learn from the experienced ride vet and to attend the AERC
convenitions for extra ride vet instruction.  Well this just does not
work that well for much of the country.  Vets are busy, they cant just
attend a convention that is not helping with continued accredidation. 
And new vets learn the style of whatever experienced vet they work
under; this is no help  for making AERC vetting stds more uniform across
the country.

I think AERC could provide a big service to the community by 
developing a video on ride vetting.  Have a group of experienced
ride vets chronicle a series of vet examinations, and BC judgings
and explaining why they would or would not pull a horse; and score
it a certain way for BC.  AERC should face the reality that not 
every ride can afford to import a Barney Fleming or equiv. and
that many ride vets in the country cant afford the time it would take to 
travel to a big ride or to the convention.  AERC should make it easier
for vets that support the sport by  vetting 1 or 2 small rides a year
in their local areas to learn the AERC vetting standards in MHO.  

Teresa Van Hove
former RM, #M17417 

ps I sent this yesterday to Roger and ridecamp but had a typo in the
ridecamp addy

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