Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

One thing that struck me, right off the bat, from the table was the large 
number of 25 milers, in the equine fatality stats.  I did think their number 
would be much lower.

This kind of convinces me that of all the ideas that I've read, and spoken 
with others about on this topic, is the Mentor Program.  We should have one. 
I'm convinced it's an idea we all can live with and is at the top of how to 
enact realistic changes in rider behavior.  Start at the beginning.

It should be mandatory, and set up nationally.  Not only do you get the talk 
before the ride, you actually ride with a mentor during your first one, and, 
learn by doing it with a certified expert.  The local regions certify who is 
mentor qualified, and, this should be a position of high honor and taken 
seriously.

Making it mandatory shows we're serious about all of this.  And, telling the 
new person that it is their responsibility, no one else's, to make sure 
their horse finishes the ride with the horse's health and welfare put above 
all other considerations is our responsibility, as an organization, to 
actually make happen.  And, to ride in a group environment, during your 
first ride with a mentor who teaches you the important stuff you need to 
know out on the trail.

We need a program like this and we need it now!

cya,
Howard


> From: "Laura Hayes" <mark@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: "Ridecamp" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [RC]   Welfare Committee Data
> Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 14:19:42 -0500
>
> Interestingly, after all the hullabaloo a year ago about AERC not 
> addressing, not tracking and not caring about horse deaths, the 'less than 
> a year old' welfare committee has published a chart of horse deaths in 2003 
> and there has been two whole posts regarding the information.
>
> What gives?  Are there no thoughts regarding the information?  Those who 
> were sure it was seasoned riders killing horses, those who were sure it was 
> new riders, and those who were just sure, are all silent now?  Did I miss 
> something?
>
> Also published in EN this month (on line if you haven't gotten it yet) is a 
> case study of the Adios PAC death.  Any comments?  The committee has worked 
> hard and spent many hours....anyone out there care to comment???
>
> Laura Hayes  AERC#2741

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The very essence of our sport is doing the trail as quickly as practicable,
while keeping one's horse fit to continue.  Taking the clock out of the
equation makes it another sport altogether.  The challenge is how to keep
the sport what it is while honing our skills (both as riders and as those
in control roles) in detecting where "the edge" is for each horse so that
we don't cross it. 
~  Heidi Smith
ridecamp.net information: http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/

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