Re: [RC] [AERC-Members] Announcement from Horse Welfare Committee - Barbara McCrary
Is it possible that the increase in
metabolic problems is a result of the increase in rides sponsored by the
UAE? These rides being flatland races.....and riders being hosted in such
a sumptuous manner. I haven't been there personally, but I've heard and
read about the luxurious facilities to which foreign riders are treated.
Could there be any connection between the desire to ride there and the increase
in speed and subsequent troubles we are experiencing here? Or even the
desire and opportunity to ship our horses abroad for World Championships and
WEGs?
Barbara
Trying to be a detective and determine if,
and why, there might be some connection to increased international
competition.
Subject: Re: [RC] [AERC-Members]
Announcement from Horse Welfare Committee
I agree....but you're right...this will never happen....but I
sure would like to see it put to a vote of the membership. The
majority of the membership does NOT race! :) I sure hope the BoD has a
backup plan for Horse Welfare. The number of metabolic horse deaths is
not decreasing....we already have as many as we did last year. This is
the number one problem in AERC...and it's not going away. Just don't
think rider education and peer pressure are going to get it done. Either
we change our direction or we go to a log book system with punitive action
like AERA.
IMHO, AERC should be about "distance riding", not "fastest horse".
Keep in mind that in speed-over-distance events, Arabians generally have a
distinct advantage. Eliminating speed as a criteria levels the playing
field somewhat with regard to the breed of horse and might even result in an
INCREASE in membership and more LD riders moving up to Endurance.
Ride wins and Top Ten's fade in memor with time. I am most
proud of Sunny's 1000 mile award...all with me in the saddle...and his AHA
Legion of Honor. I commend AERC for the lifetime NCR qualification that
if you have 1000 miles on the same horse...good move! THAT's the
direction we need to go. The knowledge and experience you acquire from "many
miles, same horse" and the bond that results from that partnership is
incredible.
"When I bestride him, I soar, I am a Hawk: he trots the air; the
earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical
than the pipe of Hermes...he is pure air and fire...the prince of palfreys;
his neigh is like the bidding of a monarch and his countenance enforces
homage." -William Shakespeare, Henry V
Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic
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Probably the only way we are going to
control speed and the possibility of over-riding is to do away with the
rewards for speed. No national or world champions, no top ten.
Everyone who finishes is recognized as a "winner". Until we adopt this
as policy, there are always going to be people who run to place first or top
ten or whatever. Somehow, I don't think this is going to happen, because
the element of superior performance (first place) is always going to be
desirable. If we don't give awards, there probably won't be as many
members in AERC, because the element of awards is very important to any
sport. I once suggested the elimination of awards at a membership
meeting at convention, and my idea received a standing ovation. But, as
we can all see, it never happened. And I'm not sure it should
happen. We can't legislate common sense. It just won't
work. How to save our horses? I don't have a good answer.
And even if a rider is using the utmost common sense and care of his/her
horse, there can still be deaths. I've seen it happen, I know it
happens. I don't have any answers, does anyone else???? And
tattling on riders we see out on the trail, abusing or over-riding horses is
somehow repugnant to me. Didn't we learn as children that tattling is a
no-no? I don't like to see abuse or over-riding, but tattling is even
less appealing. Barbara McCrary
