[RC] Meanwhile - Behind the scenes! - Connie Owens
This past Sat. I worked as a volunteer for one of my favorite rides,
Meanwhile Back at the Ranch Cleburne Tx. My mare went lame a few days before and
although recovering wasn't ready to take on this rocky ride, so I decided to
help out. This was my first time working a ride behind the scenes and boy, I
learned so, so, so much! Here are a few of my observations from my various roles
(pulse taker, vet scribe, BC vet scribe, crew for friends riding, BC score
number cruncher/checker, ect....):
The big difference in vet scores for a horse that's ready to continue and
one that's not (between loops and at the finish). Meanwhile is a very technical
ride with a lot of rocky hard trails and moderate climbs and people were riding
blazing times for this ride. I could really tell the difference in those horses
who were not recovering well and those horses who could handle it through great
conditioning and or conformation/breeding and careful management of good
horsemen/women. I saw a lot of tired and sore footed (tendon/suspensory) horses.
The horses that were "fit to continue" were remarkable and lovely. A nice
standard for me to see so I know what my horse should be like when we are in
rides and conditioning.
Ride managers have a lot of b. s. to contend with!! But yet keep a smile
going all day long!
The time keeper/scorer has absolute power!!! (Linda P., I knew you had a
hard job but now I really know!!)
Some riders are very lucky to have horses that take care of themselves
despite their person's lack of caretaking/pacing or riding skills.
There are wonderful riders out there who just ride the right way for their
horses (easy, correct pacing) and bring them in looking great!
Just being quiet and listening to riders talking about tips for elytes,
tack, cool downs, feeding and where to buy cheap diesel!
Horses that had low body condition scores had harder times recovering.
In plain english, if they start the ride looking too thin then they just
looked like he** when coming back into the vet.
I'm still a newbie (third season) and always learning. Big thank you
to Becky , rm, who showed me a lot, to lovely Kim R. & hubby Ted who
always make me and everyone feel so welcome on their ranch and to all
the other volunteers who helped me out as well. I think I was almost
as tired from volunteering as I would have been if I rode the ride!
If you can work behind the scenes at a ride, just do it! It's a pretty cool
feeling.....!
