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RE: [RC] SF Pull Code? - heidi

     SF Pull Code?   

Okay...newbie question here.  What exactly is the SF pull code and what (or 
when) is it typically used?  I saw it in some ride results when I was 
researching times for 50 mile rides, but still don't really understand what 
it means? 


Others have explained, but the Surface Factor code is for lacerations,
abrasions, tack galls, etc. that don't produce lameness but are
sufficiently severe that it would not be in the horse's best interest
to continue on.  One of the most dramatic ones I ever saw was at the
Norco Riverdance ride, where a horse ran a sharp reed or blade of grass
into one of the veins on the inside of his forearm.  The horse wasn't
the least bit lame, but was going down the trail spewing blood, until
another rider pointed the problem out, since the rider couldn't see it
from in the saddle.  The would really did need sutures, which of course
required local anesthesia, etc.  So the horse clearly was not able to
continue.  But he wasn't in the least bit lame.

Same situation with saddle galls and girth galls--horse may need to quit
for today, but he isn't lame.

My question, though, is why we don't have a RO-SF category.  Someone
posted in an earlier discussion that they didn't see a need for this,
but if we apply the same logic to SF that was applied to L and M when
the RO-L and RO-M were added (ie the vet has passed the horse, but the
rider opts to stop anyway), then it is perfectly conceivable to have a
surface factor issue that the vet passes but that the rider decides to
opt out anyway.  I've seen riders pull for saddle rubs that have just
removed hair, for instance, and there is no actual "lesion" yet.  That
isn't a true RO pull--it really is a surface factor issue--but most
vets would not consider pulling a horse at such a point, so it is the
rider's choice.  Just a thought...

Heidi


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