Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Green Horses

Mike says,  "and then several miles from
the first vet check, yet another "green" horse kicked at another horse but
missed, hitting instead the rider, causing compound fractures of her leg and
requiring a medievac helicopter ride."

Ah, Mike, I beg to differ!  I was at the ride, and am best friends and riding 
partner with the woman whose horse kicked.  The horse perfectly fit your 
definition of "novice".  The horse was well-trained, and the only real 
problem was that she was very defensive, and afraid of other horses getting 
too close to her.  The rider that was kicked had been riding with my friend 
and another friend who is a vet, for most of the first loop.  My friend 
repeatedly warned this woman that the horse didn't like other horses getting 
too close, although the most she had done to that time was squeal or lift a 
leg.  

When she got kicked, the rider decided to pass without warning my friend, 
just all of a sudden went blasting past.  LOTS of horses would kick in that 
situation, not just a novice or green horse.  I'm very sorry the woman got 
hurt, but if she would have warned my friend, or passed at a safe distance, 
you know, all the normal trail etiquette, she wouldn't have been in range to 
be kicked.  

I know it sure taught a lot of people in the NW good trail etiquette.  After 
that, every ride I went to for about a year, people were "On your left"ing or 
"On your right"ing, and maintaining safe distance for passing.    Although it 
seems many have forgottten by now.  by the way, my friend had well over a 
1000 miles, and the horse had done a previous ride when this occured.  jeri

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