Just curious. What is this talk of deaths on
rides. Being green to the sport I was wondering what were the
circumstances? Was it rider error, was it a freak circumstance or did it
just happen and knowone is to blame. I was just wondering.
However let me say this. I know for a fact that
there are other equine activities that have a lot more deaths each year and dont
put the milege on the horse.I took care of polo ponies for many years. I
preped them for the players and cooled them down after they rode them into the
ground. The players rarely have any regard for the horses and refer to
them as machines. Equine deaths happen in this sport all the time. I
remember a horse got hit so hard in the leg with a mallot its leg
shattered. They put it down on the side lines played around it.
After they tarped it. Very sad, having to work the rest of the day by a
dead horse. I had to go home.
Allthough they are not allowed and can be suspended
from the sport, they often play the horse lame.
Just by talking to people online and on the phone I
dont think that is the case in this sport. I dont think anyone wants to
kill there horse over a sport. Iget the feeling that most of these horses
are peoples pets. All the work that I have heard that goes in the care of
the horse legs after workouts and rides. I can tell you none of that is
done for a polo ponie. The most they get is a hose and a walk. Those
horses put everthing they have into the game and get nothing in return. (
most of the time, there are some who put more effort in their
horses)
It is very sad to hear horses have died on
endurance rides, Ihope to God I never have to go through that, but it
sadly does happen in any equine sport. I am sure everyone does there best
to avoid it. But there is always something more we can do.
