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RE: [RC] horse fatalities, 2002 - Steph Teeter

I'm going to jump into the fray here, because I happen to disagree - I think
the statement by the veterinary committee is acceptable.

Let's look at the statement again:
"No specific management or veterinary circumstances have been identified
that may have prevented
this fatality."

Why is this unnacceptable? Obviously 'something' caused these deaths -
dehydration, freak accident, dangerous section of trail, spooked horse in
camp... The veterinary committee is not trying to say that there was no
cause for the deaths. Only that they did not identify any SPECIFIC things
that management and veterinarians did or did not do that might have
contributed to the accidents: i.e. there is no obvious blame to be placed,
and no grounds for disciplinary action against ride management and
veterinarians.

I think the letter sent by the Vet committee to members was very clear in
defining this sport as an inherently dangerous, and physically difficult
sport, and that riders and owners need to be aware of this. And I strongly
su pport their letter - horses are big dumb fearful (but beautiful!)
animals, and we are asking them to perform incredible athletic feats, as
well as get through all of the trail/camp/vet/travel hazards that exist.

Both veterinarians and ride managers have an enormous responsibility - and
pretty much use AERC rules as their guidelines. I suspect there are many
cases where vets (and ride managers) have doubts or concerns about horses
but the rules of competition still have to be adhered to - it would not be
acceptable for a vet to pull a horse that met all AERC rules - veterinary
criteria. If (for example) a rider is pushing a horse harder than is
prudent, the only thing vets and RM's can do is give advice and warning -
this alone is not sufficient cause to disqualify a competitor.

It isn't simple - and I think it's a bit harsh to accuse the vet committee
of 'inane statements'.

Steph



-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Bob Morris
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 10:53 AM
To: walkergirl@xxxxxxxxxx; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [RC] horse fatalities, 2002


I believe that Howard's prime argument was about the
statement <<<"No specific management or veterinary
circumstances have been identified that may have prevented
this fatality.">>>

This is tantamount to stating that fatalities are inevitable
and we should just accept that they will occur.

In the real world, every accident has a proximate cause and
a possible preventative. In the case of a broken leg or fall
off the trail it could be nothing more than a more prudent
rate of travel.

I agree with Howard that the above statement has no place in
the analysis of endurance competition related fatalities. If
the vets cannot come up with a worthwhile comment then they
should refrain from such inane CYA statements.


Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID

-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of A.
Perez
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2003 10:37 AM
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [RC] horse fatalities, 2002


 Good post, Howeard.  I do find it interesting to note,
though,
that deaths due to metabolic failure are those you suggest
are
preventable, whereas death due to broken legs/necks from
falling
off the trail are an accepted hazard.  Are some trails just
too
risky for endurance races?  What exactly causes these
accidents
- are horses stumbling?  Spooking?  Being run off the trail?
Is
rider error at fault (failure to keep safe distance between
horses, failure to watch where they are going)?  Should
ride-managers be more careful in planning routes?  I ride
some
pretty hairy trails, and am no coward when it comes to
technical
riding, but I have never 'fallen off' a trail or seen anyone
else do so... it seems to me to be a pretty avoidable
hazard -
or is it?

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Replies
RE: [RC] horse fatalities, 2002, Bob Morris