Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Six horses died this year at AERC rides?

You're right, Christine, that we always need to strive to make all of our endeavors as safe for our horses as possible.  However, it is hard NOT to make comparisons when non-endurance riders interject statements (not this particular poster, obviously) about how they wouldn't want their horses to compete in such a dangerous or hazardous sport, when in reality, it is one with more safeguards in place than virtually any other.  Again, though, as you point out, it DOES behoove us to continually evaluate and update those safeguards.  What DID bother me a little about the post that started this actual thread, though, was that the poster was apparently unaware that AERC DOES request and keep information regarding fatalities, in an attempt to do exactly what she suggests--and I do think that is an important point worth reiterating.

 

Heidi

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Christine McLaughlin

To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 3:19 PM

Subject: Re: [RC] Six horses died this year at AERC rides?

I just have to interject here...I'm on a couple of boards & this kind of reply is when the conversations go awry. A defense isn't really necessary. Noone is attacking or pointing a finger at Endurance as a dangerous discipline per se. I think it's fine to compare the dangers of each discipline if you want to, but I think it IS reasonable to ask ourselves all the time, "How can I help make my favorite sport/discipline as safe as it possibly can be for my horse & me?". There is nothing wrong with looking very closely at possible flaws or changes that could be made.JMHO.

 Rides 2 Far wrote:

>>>I heard that six horses died this year during AERC sanctioned rides.

To put that in perspective, I was at the race track in Pompano Park
Florida one night and 4 horses died that night. The track was sloppy and
legs were just breaking. I don't even remember if they averaged 6 or 8
races a night...maybe 7 horses to a race...racing anywhere from 400 yards
to 6 furlongs. Compare our numbers and mileage to that.

Angie


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