Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Protecting Horses

I was out at Ft. Schellbourne multi-day ride last week.  There is only one vet check on the 50 mile ride, each day.  There were not any number of metabolic holds, and actually, few for lameness.
Perhaps the reason for this is that for the most part the riders who attend multi-day rides have been doing endurance for years, and also are trying to make their horse last for 5 days?
So, perhaps the extra attention should be spent on the new riders who are learning how to keep a horse going long distance for long years.
I personally hate to see more rules and regulations put on everyone, just to ensure the safety of the least able contestant.
Endurance, to many, is just "To Finish Is To Win." To many others it is a race to prove the fastest, best conditioned, best managed horse of the day.  WE even award the "Top Ten" as well as The fastest in each weight division.
I hope our sport can remain flexible enough to allow for many diverse riders with different interests and horses with different abilities to participate.

Lynge