Re: RC: Re: Accident at ride this weekend in Montana...???

[DVeritas@aol.com]

In a message dated 20-Sep-99 17:13:39 Mountain Daylight Time, 
steenhof@cyberhighway.net writes:

>  They were
>  racing to the finish and it was difficult for them to stop their horses,
>  going full speed.

Terribly unfortunate accident. 
But, I don't care if there was an unexpected "obstacle", those riders should 
have MUCH better control of their horses in that particular environment.  
WHOA from a gallop is no different than having the ability to lift one's foot 
from the accelerator to the brake pedal.  It must be taught and retained.
    Or maybe next time the rider will be the one to pay the price for that 
particular lesson unlearned.
    We all jump up on our soapboxes and talk about HELMETS (and should), but 
some of us forget the basic training required to make horses safe to be 
around and to make the endurance environment safe for the horses to be around 
as well.
    Racing to the finish, even IF for first place, should only be attempted 
by trained riders, on trained horses.
    The damn sport is inherently dangerous enough as it is.

Frank.


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