ridecamp@endurance.net: [endurance] Pulling exhausted riders

[endurance] Pulling exhausted riders

Wendy Milner (wendy@nsmdserv.cnd.hp.com)
Mon, 27 Nov 95 15:31:05 MST

> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> The one who needed medical treatment was a rider who was saving his
> horse and ran instead of rode. He came in exhausted at one vet check
> and was informed he would be pulled if he didn't start riding.
> 13 of 17 on the 50 finished. 25 of 31 finished the 25 mile course.
> Everyone got home safely.
> ========================================================================
>
> Interesting point. What have other ride managers or vets done
> about HUMANS who are not doing well ? Our first year we
> treated two for heat conditions. Riders start out in long
> underwear at 5 am and collapse at 2 pm in the heat.
>

I've only had occasion to see one other situation where a rider was
pulled. This was during the Race of Champions a few years back.
The rider came into a vet check coughing blood. He had pulminary
adema (blood in the lungs). He insisted on continueing. When the
vets wouldn't let him, he asked that some one else ride his horse
to finish. Ride management vetoed that. He was taken down to base
camp and then on to the hospital. Base came was at about 6,000 feet.

I have seen rides where the rider pulled themselves.

I think that management has to consider whether or not the injury to
the rider will cause permanent harm. A rider with a broken rib can
continue, if carefully. A rider who has heat exhaustion, if he were to
continue could die. The rider might not know just how bad off they
are. Pain can be endured. But life threatening illness can't.

--
Wendy


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