I'm not, normally, into adding rules to anything, but, when it comes to
this issue I think it should be considered seriously by the BOD. I think
at the very least, if a horse dies at an AERC sanctioned endurance ride the
following should be mandatory:
1) Statement from the ride's Head Vet.
2) Statement from the Ride Manager
3) Statement from the Rider/Owner of the horse.
4) Statement from any riders who witnessed the death or circumstances
that may have contributed to it.
5) Review of all the above by an AERC Committee. All of the
above should be published in Endurance News in a similar fashion as we publish
the "Protest & Grievance Committee Findings."
I’m not suggesting it has to be exactly like the Protest & Grievance
Committee findings, but, I think it should be something that is required if it
happens at a ride. Otherwise, by doing nothing, we imply that some of the
issues discussed and reported concerning the protest & grievance committee
findings are more important than a horse that dies at a ride. This
should not be the case. Some of the things I've read under the
Protest & Grievance section seem kind of pale when compared to a horse
that dies. I.E. when the rider put water, via a hose, up his horse's butt
to help cool the horse off, internally, at a vet check (I never did
read the final decision of the committee on that one).
A horse that dies should, at the very minimum, require those involved to at
least explain what they saw and/or what actions were taken. If you don't
put the facts out there, rumors and innuendoes will rule the day.
And, others will speak for us when we do not. By taking this kind of
action we let the rest of the world know that nothing is more important to us
than the horse. If we don't do anything it gives the appearance we don't
care or that it's just part of the sport.
Someone once asked the question, "Who speaks for (represents) the
horses when things go wrong?" The answer to that question should be AERC,
the organization which sanctions the ride. I know it's a painful topic and
is the scariest thing about endurance riding. But, isn't the horse at
least worth asking some questions and getting those involved to make a statement
about it all? And, for us to put it all on the table for others to
read? If we don't give this issue the respect and recognition it deserves
we do a disservice to the horse and our organization. I think this sort of
action would help us to carry our heads high and be proud to be an endurance
rider even when this topic is discussed. When we lose a horse at an
endurance ride, we all suffer. Get those files out of the closet,
please. Change what we are now doing with this issue, because, quite
frankly, it isn't enough.
No matter how many rules, no matter how many autopsies, no
matter how many vet checks 2 mile from the finish, no matter how careful we
try to be, no matter how mean or tough our vets are, no matter how much we
riders and participants try to police others., horse deaths will probably
continue to occur. We are no different than even pleasure riders who
have been known to ride a horse to death from stupidity or just plain not
knowing better. No matter how many rules or restrictions we make there
will always be someone who will figure out a way to get around them.
Having been in and riding this sport for over 30 years, deaths are
fewer. Folks are wiser, folks tend to do their homework better. I
would not want to go back to the 70s and do what we did then. We have
come along way baby and we have a long way to go yet. Ultimately the
final decision of how that horse is ridden is up to the rider. Most of
us are in love with our animals and do the best we can. BUT you can't
outguess and prevent everything that is bound to happen. There are some
who don't care. I find that those folks don't last long. Most of
us are outspoken and tend to tell someone off when we see an abused horse that
is being pushed beyond its means. Newbies, you will get there too.
I think our sport tends ………
