"No, I did NOT
see any early signs-guess I'm not that tuned in or telepathic. I had a
horse that was eating EVERYTHING in sight at each hold and every time I stopped
along the trail (his normal behavior), Drinking at every opportunity (his normal
behavior) and behaving like his normal self on the trail (mellow but
willing). Pooping at each pile we passed (he's a stallion), and peeing
whenever I did (and I drink coffee even during rides). I KNEW I had a
tired horse, but he did NOT feel excessively tired. However, if I had
KNOWN that I passed within 1 mile of the vet check before I went out towards
Shag Nasty (unreadable map) I would have pulled. However, the first ODD
thing that happened on that trail was that my horse asked to speed up...just
as the temperature started cooling down. I assumed he was
smelling the horses ahead. There were NO signs of colic 17 miles before it
happened, the last time that Ramy had seen him. My vet card says ALL OK
for every hold before that. Eating, Drinking, Peeing and Pooping were all
normal."
I believe that this is the Big Horn
rider who spent the night on the mountain and whose horse coliced. This is
the horse/rider that Ramy is talking about. Please correct me if I am
wrong. I got a tad confused with Faustina posting and then Paula Brown talking
about someone named Lucky. I 'think" Lucky and Faustina are one in the same
person.
So, I suppose had things not turned out
OK for this horse (thank goodness they did) that Ramy would have said to her
friend Faustina, "There's nothing I or anyone else can do to save
your horse, I'm just gonna have to kill it." What comforting words.
If any vet that I have taken my animals to for euthanasia had used that
terminology with me you can bet your sweet a--- that I wouldn't be using that
vet anymore. And, considering how abruptly this colic seemed to occur for this
horse, why is it such a leap of faith to imagine that happening to the other,
not so fortunate horses? Ramy would imply that someone actually killed these
horses and her insensitivity to these riders is heartless. On this subject she
chooses to use inflammatory and accusatory language. Sure glad she's not
my vet or my friend.
Thank you Diane, for 'defending' my
offense at this terminology. We will all have to wait and see what the HWC
determines and if there is any definitive cause/effect that can be addressed in
the future.
On another note, I agree with Cindy in
that I do not believe that this trail was long. I have looked at the maps over
and over again (Forest Service maps) and just can't see that it's
long.
As we all know, not all 100 mile rides
are equal. It appears that this alternate route was much more difficult than
anyone anticipated. The additional climbing and rocky terrain hampered
travel. Obviously, this will have to be evaluated by ride management in
the future. But, this may be the only option to maintain the
integrity of the distance of the trail (if they cannot regain the use of the
Adelaide trail through the Wilderness) and if they want to continue sanctioning
the 100 mile distance. But, my bottom line is I do not believe that this year's
trail was long, just considerably more difficult.
There are opponents of this historic
trail and there are supporters. It seems highly unlikely that either group will
convince the other. The tragedy of losing two wonderful horses is haunting, but
hopefully all of us that love our horses will learn something in the
end.
Lauren Double 8 Ranch Cody,
WY "You don't throw a whole life away just 'cause it's banged up a
little."
