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[RC] Abuse - Bruce Weary DCI truly understand everyone's tortured feelings over the what this horse endured. And there is a certain amount of catharsis in expressing that we'd really like to see such-and-such happen to so-and-so, and that AERC is too soft, not doing it's job, not punishing enough, etc.,. I believe our degree of indignation is proportionate to our level of caring. But the solutions to these types of situations are complicated, and multifaceted. The AERC certainly doesn't "condone" abuse, as some have suggested here. And our decisions aren't driven by trying to avoid lawsuits, although they are a reality in our sport. We should be very careful about trying to "mind read" the thoughts of others, and ascribe motives where we have no first hand knowledge. The answer doesn't lie in the potential level of punishment awaiting an abuser, whether witting or unwitting. The problem, as I see it, lies in the fact that our sport is constantly attracting new riders, many of whom are completely inexperienced and run the risk of overriding a horse.The LD is the entry level experience for many newcomers, and despite the original intent of the LD, it has "morphed" into a racing venue that poses dangers to horses ridden by even experienced riders, and especially those newcomers afflicted by a mixture of ignorance and bravado. They aren't restricted from "going for the gold" until they have some savvy that makes them a safer rider. That is the state of affairs, and until we change that, there will be a few that squeak through, and a horse may be unwittingly abused or die. We can never overestimate the potential risks of true ignorance. We have to all take responsibility for this, and I don't think the answer lies solely in punishment after the fact that is severe enough to make us all feel good, and that we have somehow struck a blow for animal protection. We really haven't, as the abuse has already occurred. While sanctions, cencures, and punishment have their place, and I am all for the appropriate use of them, the argument that they will deter the next completely clueless rookie from doing the same thing again is weak. By definition, a rookie may have little no knowledge of the sport, it's inherent dangers, or what has happened before he showed up. "If we don't know our history, we are doomed to repeat it." An ounce of prevention is always worth the pound of "cure." We added nearly 1,000 new riders to our membership this year, and we are all challenged by how to keep the horses safe in the face of such an ongoing influx of new people. They need our help, guidance and experience. We need constructive ideas of how to safely indoctrinate these new riders so that they understand the rigors and risks of this sport *before* they override their horse.As a DAL, I am curious to hear what suggestions our members have regarding new measures that can help educate and prevent inadvertant abuse. Bruce Weary =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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