In a message dated 9/8/2005 12:54:52 P.M. Central Standard Time,
mkrumlaw@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
I've
seen many horses with inexperanced riders fly through a 25 mile ride,
pass the final vet check, and crash a few hours later once the
edrenaline rush is over. Some are taken home and have problems
later.
My question is what can we do to prevent
this?
I wrote some members of the Horse Welfare Committee with an idea
but did not get any answers back. My idea is this. This is NOT
just for LD. This sport is one where an inexperienced nice person can go
do a ride and kill his/her horse. This was brought home to me recently at
a ride. The horse did not die but that is beside the point......he was
very sick and could have died and just because the rider was totally clueless
and had no idea what he/she was doing.
I am of the opinion that everyone, LD and longer distances
should have to ride with a "sponsor" who has done rides for their first
two rides. This would not be a perfect situation because I know some
extremely experienced riders who are clueless. But.......I think it would
help a lot.
Another thing is the Australian's passport idea. I have no
hope that it would every happen here but it is a good idea. I thought it
was horribly cumbersome and too complicated but when June Peterson was here a
few years ago from Australia, she showed me a couple of the passports she
brought with her and explained how they work. It is a good idea and would
probably save a lot of horses.......
