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Re: [RC] Let em' race! - LOUISE BURTONWe have three ways of doing a finish line at our ride. We can race down the county road, we can race in a field, or we can race back down part of the trail.
People seem to forget what is our FIRST PRIORITY here. THE SAFETY OF THE HORSE.
Racing down the county road is NEVER an option at my rides because it allows more of a chance of injury to the horse, not only from the hard gravel footing, but the possibility of running into a TRUCK flying down the road. It is a very unsafe situation.
We prefer to finish in the field, BUT if it is muddy, that option is out. Why? Again SAFETY OF THE HORSE. We don't want them galloping in deep mud!
The horse's health should always be the first consideration. If the finish line does have to be somewhere unsafe to run, the ride manager should stress this. Most people in our region will do a "backwoods bargaining" (as Darolyn calls it) before the finish to determine the winner. I have had races in other places, lost a coin flip to Jim Baldwin, and won "paper, scissors, rock" against Kathy Crothers on a 100!
We want to finish with horses that are able to go again the next day!
Louise, mgr of Okmulgee Cougar Prowl and Movin On Up
Firedance Farms Arabians
Louise Burton
Firedance Farms Endurance Arabians http://pages.prodigy.net/firedancefarms
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