[RC] Reducing risks and deaths in endurance racing - Jessica Spoone-Raines
One thing to always keep in mind when looking at
percentages instead of actual numbers is that the ratio goes up a lot faster the
smaller the overall number. For instance you could have (God forbid!) 5
horses die doing 50's in one year, out of 5,000 that ran, thats 1/1000 or .1%.
Now lets say you have 1 horse die doing 100's out of 500 that ran, thats 1/500
or .2%. It looks like double the amount dying right? There is a much smaller
competetion base for the 100 mile races than for the other distances. Yes they
are harder on horse and rider and riskier but imo the people competing in them
(for the most part) are a lot smarter about how to get them and their horse
safely throught the race. They have a lot of time, effort, love and money
invested in their horse to get them to that level of competetion and they
naturally want that investment to be around the next 20 years. Another thing to
always look at it why the horse died. Was it something to do with the race and
the riding or simply and act of god type death. Sometimes no matter how careful
you are, sh** happens and theres nothing you could have done to stop it. On that
note,I have only had the opportunity to do ld's so far (hoping to start my first
50 this year) but my number 2 safeties in place are knowing my horse inside and
out, I know how everything on him should be normally and if somehting is
abnormal I figure out why quickly, and I always ride well within his limits, he
would run his heart out if I asked him to so I make sure I never get so
competative that I ask. I could never live with the guilt of hurting my
best friend.
Jessica Spoone-Raines
*my math may be rusty but I think I sitll got my
point across*
and Casino the qh/arab
*you want me to run how far someday? are you
nuts?*
and Dynasty the Morab
*I'll do it I'll do it! Oh wait I have to let you
sit in the saddle? Nevermind then!*
