The
important part of this discussion is that it is not practical to expect zero
fatalities in life. It just does not happen. As omnipotent as I am I will die
one way or another. So it is with the horse. Most all of you are, in the
vernacular, preaching to the choir. It would be best if you were preaching to
the congregation or actually the unwashed 2% (ok so I am not PC).
Realize that in life there will always be the small minority that does
not understand the mores of the majority and they do not conform to what the
preponderance of society demands. And again, realize, this is what makes
humanity so individualistic and commanding. Not every one can or will adhere to
what sessions of society demand of them. Those are the ones we must have
sympathy for and attempt to blend to our way mode of action and reaction. Those
are the ones we must accept for what they are and it is for us to set an
example, to demonstrate what is, in our minds, correct association with our
horses. Condemning them will not serve the purpose. Ranting and raving will set
an adversarial relationship that will not gain adherents to our way of
interfacing with the horse.
Education is limited, just look at what happens in any educational
institution. Some pass and some fail. While all are created equal, not all
develop equal. So it is with the relationship with the horse in endurance. No
matter how excellent the education, some will fail and the horse will suffer.
Just consider how many children suffer from the same syndrome.
All in
all, we must do our best and accept that there will be "holes" in the program,
there will be failures and horses will encounter fatalities. If you look deeply
you will find those fatalities attributable to improper education are a minor
part of our fatality experience.
Bob
Bob Morris Morris Endurance Enterprises Boise, ID
-----Original Message----- From:
ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Barbara
McCrary Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2003 9:38 PM To: Annie
George; ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Cc:
SWDRA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] Dead
horse
The sad part of all this discussion is
that not all horses that die were ridden by inexperienced riders.
It does seem that
we should be able think of some kind of an official
mentor/sponsor program to make sure the first time riders are
sponsored. The Jr.s can't ride without a sponsor, and we have some
really experienced Jr.s riding. Can't we come up with some way of
mentoring/sponsoring riders for the first few rides, till they at least get
a little bit of a clue, before they are turned loose. I hate it that a horse
died. But Really, when the first time rider is so ignorant of the
consequences, whether they care or not, it seems that we could come up
with something. I feel that allowing a first time rider out there alone is
carrying the "rider responsible for his horse" policy a tad to far,
and is just asking for trouble. Ya gotta pass a drivers test to drive
a car. Jockeys need their papers. Everything requires some kind of
certification . But we can go race the crap out of a horse with no proof of
having any clue at all. As an organization we do have the
responsibility to educate. Which we do work very hard at, and do a great
job. Its all out there for the taking! But we never know if they have
read the stuff, listened to the lectures, or asked the questions till the
horse is to late dead. If we had an enforced first time rider sponsor RULE,
( Geze I do hate that word) Say a log book, that a sponsor would
have to sign off on, for a set # of rides. And if the sponsor didn't sign
they would be DQ'd. No completion. people with the true
spirit of this sport at heart will do well and not mind the log book at all.
The first time riders that I have helped out in the past were darn grateful
to have a little moral support. They are often nervous, don't know quite
what to do, and feel like an outsider. People who are the
wrecks waiting to happen, that are out there for the wrong reasons will
probably get pissed and not come back. Good. I mean surely we
can come up with an acceptable workable plan to protect horses, educate
people and improve our image, the 'very important image of the AERC and our
sport. You all know that every time something like this happens it is only
more fodder for the anit everything people.. Sponsors could be
volunteers. Allot of older riders ride pretty slow, and I for one
would be happy to tag along with a new person. I am sure allot of us would.
We try to educate, we try to help, but as long as we do not have any way of
knowing if the person has learned anything or even gives a crap, pre ride,
we are open for trouble. As far as I can see the only way to find that
out is with a log book and sponsors. Or something. Unforeseen things
happen to the best old riders and horses. But a first time rider
killing the horse is, I think something that could be prevented. Annie G.
