Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Ridecamp wrote:
> I see a different AERC than you are describing, Truman, with your 
> misleading quote: "Oh, if your horse goes down - don't worry we'll 
> just plug him in to an IV."
>
> That is not the message being sent, nor it's intent, and you are well 
> aware of that. I see an AERC that says: "We care enough about your 
> horse that we certify our head vets. We have educational materials 
> galore, available on our website and in our Endurance News publication 
> regarding the safe conditioning and campaigning of the endurance 
> horse, as well as veterinary articles and newsletters addressing 
> common health concerns. We require our vets to inspect your horse 
> before, throughout and after every ride to assure his continuing 
> health and safety.
You really never know the message being sent till it is sent. Many of
the best intentions don't always get translated they way they are intended.

While a horse that needs treatment should get treatment - make no
mistake about that. I didn't see anywhere in there were the details of
the potential risk of treatments are discussed. There has been more than
one horse that has developed serious problems from an invasive procedure
administered by a vet.

Where does the article speak of the risk - except in passing and to
minimizes them. IMO this is sure the wrong message to send to new
riders. Sorry, while the above message might not been intended - I can
easily see a new rider drawing this conclusion. That's basically what
the FEI championships have become. He ran hard, put him on fluids to get
him rehydrated faster. That approach is now pervasive in human athletics
where a football player or basketball player will get fluids at
halftime. It happens in the pros and it happens in college. I sure don't
consider this trend a positive for our horses.

Back in the early '90's we had very good articles on conditioning,
veternary care, electrolyte biochemistry, etc. IMO these articles were
head a shoulders above most of what I have seen recently. I used to
really look forward to EN because there was some meat there. Today I
scan it and that's about it. And you are right you see a very different
AERC than I do. IMO the direction being taken these days is not the AERC
I joined in 1989. I also don't see the change being for the better.

Cheers,
Truman

--

“It doesn't matter how beautiful your theory is, it doesn't matter how
smart you are. If it doesn't agree with experiment, it's wrong” Richard
Feynman, Nobel Laureate in Physics



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