Ridecamp: [RC] Vet checks

> I think the ones who *can* complain are those who have safe riding
> records.  I've never had to have a horse treated,

Oh good, then I can do lots of complaining.  My two horses have 11,150 
miles and have never been treated.

I've been thinking about the differences in the rides and how vet checks 
are managed.  At the Oregon 100 that I just did. Well, okay, I did the 50 
and then crewed for Rocky (my horse) and Calina (junior) on the 100.  They 
had 7 vet checks during the ride with 3:15 in hold times.  The pulse 
criteria was 60, even at the finish line.  In addition to the 3:15 hold 
times, there were three vet checks 'out' on the trail that did not have 
hold times taken out.  So the horses did get plenty of time to eat, and I 
knew that with all the vet checks (they never went very far between 
checks)  if something went wrong that they would get pulled.  I asked the 
vet to be extremely critical of my horse and pull or slow them down at the 
first sign of trouble.  This was Calina's 2nd 100 on this horse, and she's 
ridden him a lot.  Don't think I wasn't extremely nervous.

Then the 100 mile ride Rocky did before that, with me -- we also finished 
up in the front but it was a harder course. (tho, probably easier on the 
horse)  That 100 mile ride had 4 vet checks on it.  The first one at around 
25 miles, was a full vet check with a 20 or 30 minute hold, then a trot by 
at mile 43.  Our first long hold came at 50 miles (yes, really).  We had an 
hour then, went out for another 25 mile loop, had another hour hold at 75 
miles, and then did the last 25 miles (no vet checks during either of the 
25 mile loops).

No horses were treated on the 100 on either of those rides.  The riders on 
the 100 with less vet checks and holds took care of their horses and didn't 
need to have it mandated to them.  The stricter criteria used at the Oregon 
100 was necessary I believe, because the terrain warranted it.  Plus, many 
of the riders on that ride are interested in qualifying for Pan Am next 
year, and this was a ride that really lets you move out.   I really am not 
comfortable with MY horse going that fast, I think it's too big of a risk 
and it is never safe to race on a 100.  Now I know he can do it, that is 
good enough for me and we'll go back to happily plodding along and trying 
to get this horse to his 6,000th mile next month.  Maybe FEI or UAE needs 
to start a mileage program for their horses.  If there is no other goal but 
to win, horses will keep dying no matter how strict the vet control is.

I can say without a doubt that had I let Rocky race when he was younger or 
had less experience, I would not be riding him today.  What is more 
important, you have to ask yourself.  Placing well in a few rides for a 
season or two, or getting to ride the same horse for many years.  Would you 
trade one win or top ten for ten middle of the pack rides?  Or, is any 
number of rides on a horse worth trading to win a single ride?  If the 
horse is a really good horse they will only get better with each thousand 
miles they complete.  The sooner they get raced, the sooner their careers 
will likely be over.  There are so few exceptions.

Happy Trails,
Karen
in NV




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