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  [RC] "mongol " derby - shermanTitle: MessageI think I didn't 
make it clear that it was information that I gleaned from our exchange student 
(he loves horses) about the traditional treatment of their race horses that 
makes me state without reservation that the horses will be at great 
risk.  He and I spent hours and hours riding and talking and comparing 
what we do and what they do. They love their horses, are so proud of them, 
love to ride, from the time they can get on and control a horse, and yet 
 with their limited knowledge and the way they are taught to care for the 
horses, especially the race horses, they constantly put them at risk. I 
don't think that the Mongolians will think the derby is going to be a 
problem, because they don't have the knowledge to make them think so. It's 
the promoter or participants that need to be made aware of the risk to the 
horses. It doesn't sound like the promoter has any interest other than 
collecting money, but if there are high profile participants, they may have some 
influence.  Could you even imagine galloping a horse for 15-30 miles in the 
heat after not allowing it to eat or drink for 24 hours?  
Kathy 
 
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