Choosing the "easy" vet?

[Rides 2 Far <rides2far@juno.com>]

>> just experienced an important race where the participants knew which
>vets to>> use to pass the vet check. it was a beauty contest, for all
intents >and>> purposes.

Wait a minute.  Think about it, if my horse *should* be pulled, the last
thing I want to do is have someone send him on down the trail.  I've got
lots of time and money, sweat and blood tied up in him and the last thing
I want to do is cause some damage.  What we *don't* want is to be pulled
for the wrong reason by a vet who is not knowledgable!

I show a definite preference for vets at rides, and it has nothing to do
with getting through the vet check.  I like to go to the vet whose
opinion I respect the most at the first check and then if they'll allow
me, I'll go to that vet every check (even if it means I have to wait
longer) because I think it makes my scores more accurate and helps me
judge how my horse is doing.  This vet's "B" may be another vet's "A" and
I want a steady grading scale.

I have had an experience where I had very little confidence in a
particular vet's opinion and given a chance, I will manage to get to
another one.  I also watch them check the horse's backs.  Some vets don't
know how to check a back properly and will hurt the horses (pinch
withers, use fingernails, etc).  This not only messes up your score at
this ride, but will make your horse duck other vets.  I had one vet check
my horse by *very quickly* zipping his fingernails down one side, withers
to loins, and back up the other side.  It's the only time Kaboot has ever
ducked, and he gave him a "B". I eased over to the head vet and told him
to watch the guy and maybe teach him how to check backs.  Ran into the
same vet later and I did some very fast talking to get into another line.

Angie

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