Dead Horse at NASTR

["Linda Hedgpeth" <lth@thegrid.net>]

This is one thing that irks me about the whole deal.  The ride
was June 10.  The horse died June 11 at camp.  My post on June 19
was the first one about this incident on Ridecamp.  Nine days and
not a word.  Wonder why . . . . .  Who is being protected here? .
. . . someone's good friend? . . . . What's up?  The post below
is exactly what I have heard from two other people who were there
and on the 50.  This is a damn shame.  This sort of thing usually
spreads like wildfire because people are so outraged that it
actually happens.  For some strange reason, this time, no one has
said a word.

I would like to know who this "Coach" is so I will be sure and
never recommend her to anyone.  I was told her whole attitude was
very callous and uncaring in regards to the horse and, at one
point Saturday evening, made a remark that the horse should just
be "put down".  This was before veterinary care????????  I also
heard the vet was not called until late.  The girl never even
brought the horse through the final vet check at camp because she
knew the horse was sick.  Some have speculated that she was
ashamed after having been warned to slow down.  Instead, of
vetting in, she took her back to the trailer where the mare was
tied until she went down.

This whole thing has been kept quiet for some reason.  I hope it
angers others as much as it has me.  I also hope at least "one
person" responsible has many long, sleepless nights over this and
maybe some nightmares, too.

Linda Hedgpeth
Janesville, CA
lth@thegrid.net




> I was on that NASTR ride, though I did not see the horse in
question.  However, several people I was riding with did observe
the horse in question after the race, and contributed money for
vet bills.  From what I understand this was the horse's first
race, the mare was galloped the entire way, at the last vet check
the vet told the rider to walk her horse all the way in, however,
her "coach" overruled her and told her to keep her moving.  The
horse collapsed after arriving at the finish.  From what I have
heard "second hand" the owners and "the coach" refused vet
treatment until after midnight since "the coach" did not like the
vet in charge.  The horse did get up on her own the next day
about 9 AM, and ate and drank a bit, but died about 1PM.
>
> I would ask that others on this ride contribute what they can,
since there is a "lot of gossip" going around the way this matter
was handled.
>