OK, it's in this month's issue of Endurance News, page 47, under the
heading "Workshop." The first thing that struck me, after reviewing the
Vet Report covering the 7 horse deaths at endurance rides in the ride year
of 2002 was the following sentence that was attached to each and every
one: "No specific management or veterinary circumstances have been
identified that may have prevented this fatality."
I'm not sure if that line should be part of the Vet Report. Sounds
like covering your ass to me and it's hard to swallow. Even if it's true,
in all 7 cases, I do think more time, thought, and effort in finding out the
exact cause of death should be given before we use this catch all phrase.
Hopefully, the Horse Welfare Committee, and, yes, I realize it's early in the
game to ask them to make changes today, but, for tomorrow, I do believe we need
something more credible.
Of the 7, three of the horse fatalities resulted because of accidents: two,
from a broken leg; and one, a broken neck, resulting from a fall. The
other 4 appear to be from over riding, although the very brief report does not
really come out and say that exactly. Colic like symptoms, horse not
drinking, ruptured stomach are the causes of death in those cases.
When you read these cases (and make sure you get out those special
bifocals, if you're my age, to read the very small print) it should make
you aware of just how dangerous the sport of endurance is. As much as I
love this sport, and I do, the thought of something tragic like this happening
to your horse has to stick in your mind every minute of your ride. I've
come as close as anyone should have to when it comes to this experience, and,
it's not something you'll ever forget. My experience taught me a couple of
things: 1) Make darn sure this is the right horse for the
sport. As much as you may love to ride him you may find out, down the
road/trail, that he's not the right candidate for endurance. 2) Training
for the sport is so important! Do not neglect this in any way. If
your guy is not ready, don't take him to an endurance ride. Train more
till you know he is ready. 3) Do not be afraid to pull your horse at
a ride on your own. Nobody, and I mean nobody, knows your horse as well as
you do. If this is not the case, if for some reason you don't know him
this well, than, quite frankly, you should wait until you do. 4)
EAting and drinking: If the horse is not doing this either pull him or
take an incredible time at the vet check until he does both! And, even
then, consider pulling.
To finish is to win, but, to leave the ride with a horse that is healthy is
truly the name of the game. Anything else makes the horse a victim and you
the abuser. Sounds harsh, I know, but, if you ever have the misfortune to
go down the road named Horse Exhaustion no words can make things any
worse.
To be honest, I really would like to see more horses on IV bags at some
rides. Sounds crazy, I know, but consider the following: For
prevention, for hydration, for the LIFE of the horse it's a darn good
idea. After 50 miles or 100 my guess is every one of those horses who
finish are dehydrated. 100 percent, and they don't recover until 48
to 72 hours later. If your horse is off at a ride, and, it's because of
dehydration, I'd rather see a horse on a bag, than on it's way to a
clinic. We need to get rid of this negative stereotype that we've put on
this preventive treatment. The sport is extreme; to prevent an equine
death it might not be such a bad thing considering the alternative.
I really do hope we do better in reporting equine deaths at endurance
rides. Actually, my hope is we don't have any, but, that's probably a
dream and not reality. I will say, to Jim Holland, Laura Hayes, and anyone
else who is proactive on the Horse Welfare Committee (Jim, I know you're not on
the Committee, but, you should be); I want to be a part of this. Something
is missing here and we need to get things rolling. Hopefully, we're on the
right track but I know WE CAN DO BETTER. We owe this to the horses, of
that there is no doubt.
