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[RC] [Guest] Adios - Ridecamp ModeratorLilean Nicolaison Lilean@xxxxxxxxxxxI was present at the PAC. I had the unfortunate position of being one of the last people to spend time with Adios before he died. The sight of that suffering horse has haunted me since. I feel that many of the horses were over ridden at the PAC. The terrain was difficult, the elevations were high, the temperatures were extreme. As a result, I saw approximately half of the horses pulled because of lameness or metabolic failures. In my opinion, many, many horses were in extreme danger of death due to metabolic failure. The vets and assistants treated and kept the IV's running on several horses all night long, with no break, virtually saving several horses' lives. I can only state, after being there, that the vets showed utmost responsibility, professionalism, respect and extreme care to the horses that were treated by them. At no point did I ever see anything but total integrity in handling of the horses by vets and staff. I will mention, however, that I do not feel that is the case with many of the riders. To ride to the extreme and bring your horse near death, then expect the vets to miraculously restore their health, and even life, is unrealistic. It is the SOLE responsibility of the riders to keep their horses within a healthy and safe level. Accidents can happen, but I just cannot believe that isolated "accidents" caused the severe metabolic failures that I witnessed. Whatever the FEI and AERC can do to tighten up standards to not only encourge but REQUIRE riders to use more responsible means in racing will have my total, uncompromised support. Lilean Nicolaison =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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