For the life of me, I can't think of a single reason why a vet should
donate his time treating your horse. If my horse needs care at a ride,
whether I've pushed that horse too hard or he impaled himself on a
branch, or choked trying to eat that lovely wet grain too fast, that
horse is my responsibility. And my responsibility is to pay the vet who
takes care of him. We're really lucky when ride management is able to
provide enough vets to have one able to treat while the other(s)
continue vetting the ride. I presume that we, as the owner, always have
the choice of whether or not to treat in any case. I would simply pay
the bill and be grateful for the care.
Anita Burson