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RE: [RC] [RC] Dead horse - Nik Isahak Abdullah

Well said Bob.You belong to an age an group that "do not need to apologise"for a frank opinion.It comes from the heart and years of wisdom.In latin they say "fiat sapientia virtus" which in plain english means "let manliness comes through wisdom".In my proffession I confront death every other week be it in a young patient on his 1st coronary or a 90 plus individual with terminal cancer,most in whichever circumstances are "unexpected".
Equine deaths are not very much different.In endurance we are pushing ourselves and our equine friends to the very brink.Despite what many people think,brinkmanship is very much an art rather than a science.We think if we ride within so and so parameters we are safe but what we are saying actually shoud be perhaps "99% of our horses are safe".Even in my field of cardiology it is still not exact science.I recall a colleague of mine ,a proffessor in hematology,who died of his 1st coronary during a mild game of tennis{not even endurance},2 days after passing a full physical with threadmill and all.
I am not at all trying to put a blanket statement here that equine deaths are unavoidable in our sport.The great majority are avoidable but a small minority defies explanation and expectation.We cardiologists term it as SCD{sudden cardiac death} which are usually due to arrthmias.I wonder whether Heidi or Susan Garlinghouse can comment here.From my vantage point I of the opinion that LIFE IS FRAGILE, that is why I do endurance whenever I can find the time.!


Yours Sincerely

Dr Nik Isahak Wan Abdullah


From: "Bob Morris" <bobmorris@xxxxxxxx>
To: "Barbara McCrary" <bigcreekranch@xxxxxxxxxx>,"Annie George" <annie@xxxxxxx>,<ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
CC: <SWDRA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [RC] Dead horse
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2003 22:09:27 -0600

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.

  Barbara
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Annie George
    To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Cc: SWDRA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2003 2:54 PM
    Subject: [RC] Dead horse


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.
Anne George Saddlery www.vtc.net/~ageorge

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