Re: Why we use numbers

Jude Hall (hall@cc.denison.edu)
Thu, 23 Jan 1997 11:50:40 -0500 (EST)

I agree, and often, in my excitement of coming into a vetcheck, when
I'm supposed to call out my number, I have to look at my horses butt to
*remember* my number! ;*)

And, as Teddy Lancaster mentioned, the # are invaluable in matching
up a loose horse/rider. I've been to a number of rides where a
mishap occurred and the horse was on its own (and not calling out
it's number)....

Jude Hall
Ohio

>Horses are numbered because it is the most time efficient method of
>running a Vet Check. Probably the most important non- Vet person at the
>VC is the Timer. If the Timer had to write each persons name on the
>Timer Sheet, at some point it would become mass confusion due to the
>impossibility of getting all the names down correctly when 8 or 10,( or
>more) riders came in at the same time. Also, if the Timer is like me, at
>some point the writing becomes illegible, especially when "time" is a
>factor. Very often the Pulse takers and the Timer don't know the names
>of all the riders, but they sure know the numbers, and ther is no
>confusion putting a number down as compared to getting a name down, and
>what if you have 3 Cindy's or 5 Bills riding? One thing is for sure, you
>should not have more than one # 35 or # 3 or....got the picture?
>
>Randy
>
>