Re: RC: Re: Re: Walk the walk

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/29/99 9:08:48 AM Pacific Standard Time, 
Howard4567@aol.com writes:

<< Oh, but it will.  They might consider that maybe some riders actually know 
a 
 little about their horse, that standing in a long line at a vet check might 
 be the cause of the horse not "springing" out of the gate during a trot out 
 causing you and your horse to get pulled due to lameness, that it can be 
 dangerous as hell standing in that line with a whacko horse in front of your 
 face who should have a red ribbon on the tail.  That driving a thousand 
miles 
 to ride a horse 25 may cause one to become a bit irritable and actually have 
 the nerve to discuss the criteria if the vet decides to pull your horse at 
 the first vet check. >>

Howard, I am a riding vet, and yes, riding does help to drive those points 
home.  However, quality of vetting still depends on factors such as 
curiosity, ego, etc.--I've seen riding vets who STILL assume that even though 
they ride, their DVM degree is nonetheless the ticket to all knowledge, and 
I've also seen MANY vets who do not ride who have figured out all those 
things you mention, simply because they are reasonable, curious, intelligent 
people who recognize knowledge where they find it.  In my experience, the 
vast majority of our vets have been pretty good whether they ride or not, and 
the few bad apples stand out as nightmares.  The fact that the bad ones DO 
stand out sure illustrates that most are doing a good job.

I think it is great to encourage vets to ride, but let's face it--if all the 
good ones decide to become competitors, where does THAT leave you?

Heidi


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