Re: RC: RE: fit to finish??

[Truman Prevatt <tprevatt@mindspring.com>]

Not to want to stir up any emotion on this issue, I would like to recall
a bit of history.  Several years ago there was a flap ( which got
pretty good coverage in EN ) over a rider who was campaigning their horse
for national mileage championship. Allegedly the horse had saddle sores.
It was also alleged that this rider showed up at one ride and was denied
entry because the horse would not vet in because of the sores and the rider
then drove to another ride where the vet allowed him to start.

The BOD stepped in and tried to sanction the rider at which point a lawsuit was filed.

Is a sore reanson not to continue or reason to eliminate a horse from starting? If it were my horse and I had 10 miles to go and a small rub, I would find the problem.  If the rub was not bad and I could fix the saddle/pad so that it got no wrose and the vet agreed I would go on slowly and finish.

On the other hand if it were my horse and there was a sore or blister I don't feel that there is anything good 50 more miles would do for the horse and would not start.

Truman

Kathy Mayeda wrote:

Saddle sores – good topic.  I am guilty.  Beau did have a saddle sore after Camp Far West-
my first 50 mile completion- last year with my new saddle but I was able to
to adjust it for subsequent rides and have had no problems until he lost weight again this year.
Had to readjust it again.  At least I could do that! (You know where I’m poking at Stacy!)

Beau didn’t seem to be too bothered by it, but I’m sure it was irritating and maybe he was just numbing out.
I’m not proud of it and the white spot that was left on his grey/black hide caused a little consternation at the next ride vet in.  But I

believe that he was “Fit to Continue” at the end of that first ride.  I’m sure if it looked like
hamburger it would be a different story.

Anyone else have anything to say about this?  I know, my hand should be slapped for putting
poor Beau through 50 miles of back agony, but I truly didn’t know that it was rubbing that badly
until I took the saddle off after the finish.  I know I’m not the only one guilty of this, but it just
goes to show how many little details that you have to watch for in the welfare of an endurance horse.

And yes, I’m still learning from my mistakes and from others mistakes.  I’m guessing that saddle sores
would be a tremendous detriment to a Best Condition judging – haven’t been there yet.

And yes, your horse’s death belongs in the **** happens category – but it doesn’t hurt any less
because of it, I’m sure.  Happy trails for you, Stacy.  You deserve them.

K.

-----Original Message-----
From:   guest@endurance.net [mailto:guest@endurance.net]
Sent:   Friday, August 03, 2001 10:21 AM
To:     ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject:        RC:  fit to finish??

Stacy Berger stacy.a.berger@intel.com
I'll start this by saying I haven't ridden endurance for the past 5 years.
My horse died in his pasture the evening after a  successfyl 50 mile
competition, finish in the middle of the pack.  I reported it to the vets
the next day - and I lost my interest in the sport as I mourned the loss
of my longtime partner.  I am no longer an AERC member - so maybe my input
'doesn't count'.

That being said - it seems that the 'standard' of Fit to Continue has
changed.  There was a very public protest for a horse that was presented
at a ride with saddle sores.  I saw in a post earlier from an XP rider -
"There were a few saddle sores, and some other various ailments, that you
will see at any mutedly ride." -  are these acceptable to continue the
next day?

I wasn't at the XP, nor did I see any of it - but I know at most rides I
went to - a horse with an open saddle sore or other ailments would stop
(by the rider or sometimes the ride management)  It seems like the riders
at the XP all chose to look the other way?

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