It's Nov and Billybob DewWart needs 150 points to seal the MW region
first place. He goes to the Bo Diddley Memorial 25/50 endurance ride
with the sole purpose of winning - which he does. Then shortly after he
has completed his horse, Smitley, starts to feel bad and old Billybob
pit crew chief reminds Billybob of "Angies Rule," and Billbob says
OMYGASH if I have him treated we'll lose everything - my claim to fame
and fortune will be dashed to the ground and smashed into bits by this
rule.
So old Billybob decides to forego staying for the after ride
entertainment ( a free Bo Diddley concert ) and to take the horse home
- it's only and hour dirve - and call his vet out. On the way home he
calls his vet and has him meet Billybob at his home and tells him the
problem.
But alas - since time is critical in giving emergency care - by the
time Billybob gets home poor sold Smitley is on deaths downward sprial,
a sprial from which he never recovers. Three hours later Billyboy is
laying his beloved Smitley to rest in a big hole in the ground in his
pasture.
Billybob is kicking himself - "if only I'd gone to the vet at the ride
- this would not have happened."
Any rule has unintended consequences. I feel the unintended
consequences from Angie's Rule could be an absolute desaster to some
poor horse that needs the care but someone's ego or just plain bad
judgement gets in the way.
We should be in this to help the horse not to further endanger the
horses.
Truman
terre wrote:
most if not all of these could be prevented by adopting
Angie's brilliant idea of a few days ago--that a rider whose horse
requires serious treatment (IV therapy, etc) lose all points
for
that season and accrues mileage only. ("requires" and
"serious" to be determined by the ride vet).
