Home Current News News Archive Shop/Advertise Ridecamp Classified Events Learn/AERC
Endurance.Net Home Ridecamp Archives
ridecamp@endurance.net
[Archives Index]   [Date Index]   [Thread Index]   [Author Index]   [Subject Index]

Fw: [RC] Lucky day - Dot Wiggins

Thank goodness for luck in this case!!  Everyone came out ok.  It doesn't
always turn out this well.

More than once, in fact several times I personally know of,  horses, and
riders, have drowned because they got a foot thru a rein (or a tie down)
while in the water.
One of the saddest was a youngster, 8, and his horse, were both lost in a
pond while father and others watched, unable to help, when the horse put his
head down and stepped into the closed rein.  The struggle took them into
deeper water and the horse could not recover.
Swimming horses reach high with front feet and it's easy to catch a rein.
Anyone going into or crossing anything much over knee deep should keep this
in mind.  Unsnap one side of the reins,  be careful of halter ties, unhook
tie downs, running martingales, anything that may catch.
And I like all our nylon, biothane, bridles, reins, etc., but it doesn't
break when we need it to.
It's hard, and dangerous, to help when a struggling horse's head is under
water.

Watch that rein even when getting a drink in a small pond or stream.
Disaster can strike easily.




----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Austin" <caustin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 10:17 AM
Subject: [RC] Of incredible strength, courage and friendship




back to the cool waters of Blue Sink. As we first entered it was
refreshing as described above. You don't go far from the edge before you
are swimming(less than 4 feet). Paula soon found out that Rock wasn't
much of a swimmer and headed back to the shore as did Beth, Jeff and
myself. Jeff and I thought we'd go back in 'cause our guys did enjoy the
cooling waters. Within seconds tragedy was about to rear its ugly head
as Gus started to SINK! 1150 pounds of thrashing, panicking horse in the
water! The only thing I was able to do was scream his name and stay out
of his path. It was like a bad scene in a tearjerking movie! This was
not happening! Forward thrush, backwards flip...what is happening?!
Still I continue to scream his name, then the worst vision any horse
owner could possibly witness...he laid his head down and down he went
with the bubbles signaling the end. BUT...in an incredible instance
SPlASH to the top was this incredible animal with all his strength as he
must have pushed himself from the bottom to the top and started to
shore. In the greatest feat I had witnessed so far this mighty animal
never gave up. Our friends were crying with relief (not Jeff, he was
quite composed) from what they witnessed. It was then they had told me
his leg got hung up in the reins which I didn't see. Readers, I have
scissor snap reins and I am hear to tell you that angels unsnapped that
rein so he could free himself and head to shore.You won't ever get me to
think otherwise. I have thanked God 100 times that day and night. I
hugged that horses neck like a long lost lover and in my book, he is my
HERO. Just as we thought there was no turning back he showed us the
determination, strength and courage to finish the ride.





=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

http://www.endurance.net/ads/seabiscuit.html

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=