Accidents happen - this was an experienced rider (who does NOT regularly
overide horses) - who hasn't made a bad judgement call?. How lucky, any of
us are, if we haven't ever had a problem or made a bad call at a ride. I
can't believe that I am reading about disiplinary action and blacklists!
This could happen to any of us - you don't have to be a front runner to
run into problems ( they are usually the ones that get noticed when there are
problems)!
How many riders hide sick horses behind trailers or leave rides early to
avoid seeing the "treatment vet" because of the stigma of having a sick
horse. This is a stigma that we, the competitors, have created in our sport
and I don't think it benefits our animals in the long run.
If you are one of the lucky ones that has never had a problem at a ride, put
yourself in that rider's shoes. We all live in a "glass house" if we compete
in this sport whether we ride in the front or in the back. Would you want to
be judged by one person's interpretation or opinion?
Kim