Re: The great drug debate

["Cathy Sabe" <csabe@servicepaper.com>]

There are not many posts I feel need a response as much as this one.  This
is my first year in endurance, and my trainer always made sure that I
understood that my horse comes FIRST, whether it meant spending extra time
at water stops, pulling at 25 miles due to a minor injury, or sitting out a
race to extend our healing time.  My Arab mare gives me 110%, and would go
on no matter what amount of pain she was in.  I feel it is a rider's
responsibility to compete only when the animal is fully competent to do so,
which can be a real downer when we set aggressive goals for ourselves.  I
sat out several races but I felt better knowing she was allowed to heal
fully before each ride.
Cathy.
-----Original Message-----
From: softride <softride@cdsnet.net>
To: Ed Hauser <sisufarm@mmmpcc.org>
Cc: ridecamp <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 1998 3:00 PM
Subject: Re: The great drug debate


>It really seems to me that a lot of people out there are so wanting to
>do rides that injuries to the horse/mule/donkey are totally
>over-looked.  Drugs are not given because the RIDER has a ride in 2
>weeks that they want to go on.    Would you really want to go out and do
>a 100 or 50 or 25 or, or, or,  with an eye infection  or any other
>injury??
>
>These are animals,   they do what we ask of them,   shouldn't we put our
>desires on hold till the animal is really healed that we didn't have to
>beat the clock to see if they are off the drugs before the ride.   And
>then maybe the drug tests should also count the rider??    How many of
>you out there can go on any distance rides with no drugs????
>
>And I personally know of people that got their Tevis Buckle, and they
>were 5 minutes over the time.  I will not name those names because of
>the mentality of people of today that would probably demand that they
>lose that buckle.    But trace the records back and you will find them.
>Just like I did after they didn't want to give my husband a buckle for
>being 2 minutes after the time because he helped a man with a broken
>arm.   He now has that buckle.
>
>Try thinking more about the animal that you expect to carry you over the
>distance mileage before you with hold drugs that will make their
>(animal) recovery a little more comfortable.
>
>And yes I know I'm trying to sell products to the horse/mule/donkey
>world,  but before you flame me try thinking about the animals before
>you get out the fire.
>
>Rebecca--Underwood Enterprizes--1-541-826-9668--Oregon
>Home of the Treeless Saddle and other quality horse/mule/donkey and pet
>products