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Frank:
I
understand your concerns about obtaining relatively "general data" concerning
the horses. But then consider, we must crawl before we can walk or run.
Obtaining relatively useful data depends on the source of that data and
the reliability of that data. To date, simple things like foaling dates of the
horse (and/or birth dates of riders) has proven unreliable even when the
information is readily available. We cannot even get accurate,
reliable information regarding the starters in a ride. So, to obtain stacks
of finite, unsupported data regarding the horses would be a waste of
everyone's time and energy.
We
were starting out asking the simple basics of the cause of the horse being
eliminated from the ride. Was the basic cause related to two categories? First,
the Horse or the Rider? Then when that is determined, if the cause was the
horse, the question became Lame or Metabolic? End of questions! Simple was
it not? Two little simple questions answerable by one word in each
instance. Hardly takes much thought. But we cannot get those answers because
people, for some unknown reason cannot, will not, do not want to, answer
with one of those choices, Again, Was the basic cause horse or
rider. If horse, was the basic cause lameness of
metabolic.
Now, you tell me why the membership cannot conform with such a
simple thing.
Bob
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
If a horse, when assigned a Horse I.D. Number by the
AERC, was also issued a Ride History Book to track that particular horse's
ride history/performance. Perhaps, as an organization we would then have
relevant data on our horses. "Relevant" in that the welfare of the horse
could be monitored, assisted, documented.
At the end of
a ride, the Head Vet and Ride Manager would transcribe the results of that
particular rides, that particular horse.
Such as,
WIN A WATERBOTTLE 100
MILER
"HORSE X Overall: A-
No gait aberrations, no metabolic
issues
signed: Head
Vet
HORSE finished_____ out of
_______starters.
signed: Ride Manager
Then, that book would have to be
presented at that horse's next ride. The pre-ride Vet could "focus" a
bit more attention to a previously "documented" issue. (I know, I know,
do we really want this...I'd say, do really want to do something with pull
codes or not?)
If said Horse shows up at ride after ride
with the same "issues", as an organization, the AERC would have to have an
avenue available to help that horse.
I strongly believe
that an endurance horse is the responsibility of the rider...I also believe
that the AERC needs to be able to DOCUMENT its concern for the welfare of the
horses who are used in this sport.
I think we, the
community of endurance riders who make up the AERC, need to either "put up" or
"shut up".
If I'm wrong, I know you will tell me so...do
not hesitate to do just that...I'd like to "focus" this conversation a bit
more.
Unless it is just "conversation".
Frank.
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