Ridecamp: Re: [RC] RC: Vetting procedures

I agree with you and that is why I carry my own stethoscope, a decent one not 
a cheapie.  That's why I don't present my horse for a pulse until I have 
determined she is down, and why I do watch my farrier and ask a million 
questions EVERY time my mare is shod, and keep her old shoes to compare from 
one shoeing to the next.  I feel I do know my horse pretty well, 

BUT:  

I am not a vet, and until I have had personal experience with a particular 
situation, may not recognize a problem in the making.  

I may be slightly dehydrated, caught up in the fever of the pace, or for some 
other reason not thinking as straight as usual.  I once forgot about 22 miles 
of a 30 mile LD WHILE I WAS DOING IT.  We don't know why.

Sometimes it is only after having a problem and looking back on some of the 
really small signs that I didn't actually realize at the time were symptoms 
of the problem can I see the pattern.  Why do I save my horse's shoes from 
one shoeing to the next?  Because she had a problem brewing, that when I 
looked back on it, should have recognized because her hind feet changed shape 
over the course of one shoeing.  

So, yes, everyone should know their own horse, and Yes the rider is 
ultimately responsible for their own horse,

BUT we pay the vets the big bucks because they have way more experience and 
education at recognizing subtle indications that there may be a problem than 
most of us.  I am still polling for others' opinions.  

jeri

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
 Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
 Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=