The issue that I have with
the 30 day dead horse rule is NOT about research or education.
If my horse died after a ride and I and my at home vet decided that it was
remotely possibly endurance related I would be more than happy to volunteer
any and all information to help out. I am very concerned about the
death of horses, and the reasons for it. Or any horse discomfort. What I have
issue with is making it a rule, something that riders have to sign away rights
to privacy or face penalty. How can you hope to keep track or
enforce? If you hear a rumor that my horse died and you call me up
and ask and I tell you that it is not dead, what are you going to do about it?
Sit on the highway with binocs and watch for buzzards over my ranch? Get a court
order and a back hoe to dig looking for bodies. Who will pay for all
this documentation,enforcement,record transferring? I mean what are you
going to do about it? There is nothing you can do. So why make
a rule that is completely unenforceable, and what I feel is really not in
what used to be spirit of this sport. People that want to volunteer
info, and help out will do so. I think it is perfectly reasonable to set a
policy of riders submitting extended information post ride on a voluntary
basis. I feel that making it a rule will only add to the pain and
suffering that a person goes thru in loosing a horse, regardless of the reason,
and human nature being what it is, create even more desire for secrecy. So
please no more rules, especially one so unenforceable.
Annie G.
Anne George Saddlery www.vtc.net/~ageorge
