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The ride veterinarians are SUPPOSED to have instructions
about how to use
the pull codes, since they are the ones responsible for
assigning them. One
of the biggest breakdowns in the system is
educating ride vets about why
they are used and how to properly assign
them. Since the original intent of
the system was to have information
gathered by ride veterinarians for the
veterinary committee, I'm not sure
that the application and explanation was
ever disseminated through other
sources. Too bad, as ride veterinarians
have not been equally diligent
in getting their paperwork done, or in
understanding what the paperwork is
for.
It is funny that you should say that Heidi,
because all it takes to be an AERC vet is to pay their dues. What, if any
education is required by the vets? Just the handbook??
How much time does AERC or the vet committee
take to make sure the vets understand all that is required? Including the
paperwork? What do they do to ensure consistency and accuracy? I am not
complaining, just asking.
As to your question why else would someone
pull if their horse wasn't questionable or unless they couldn't ride another
step? Or whoever asked that!
Well, I have pulled because the ride sucked,
because it was happy hour, and once because I just felt like it. I have
pulled from a ride and not even been listed as a starter. (I was way more than
1/2 way through) I know a few times I didn't even vet out at the end because the
lines were miles long and it was too freaken' hot to wait around. I was listed
as metabolic once and just pulled another time. At one ride, Wendy and I were
listed as pulls and we WEREN'T! Boy, that was aggravating.
I can think of two times when I didn't think I was
going to get a completion because my horse was off. But I did. That is why
I don't understand the "grades" of lameness. A lame horse, is a lame horse, but
you can still get a completion, if it is not THAT lame. Is it a gimp, a limp, a
bob? I don't know.
When vet checks are inconsistent, (not just the
vets, us riders can mess things up to) then how accurate is the information
going to be anyway?
Not complaining, just asking.
Lisa Salas, The Odd
fArm
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