Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Having been there myself, I know that the sideways glances and downright evil 
comments from other riders only added additional and unnecessary stress while 
the VERY few little gestures like a sympathetic smile or pat on the shoulder 
were Godsends.  I didn't over ride Solitaire the one time it happened to me.  I 
was near the back of the pack.  But sometimes it happens in this crazy sport.  
Sometimes it happens in life in general.  And people's real character is 
measured by their responses - both during and after such a traumatic event.

This is why I make it a point, anytime I see a horse being treated at a ride, 
to go over and offer an encouraging, commiserating smile and a pat on the 
shoulder.  I ignore all the camp rumours about what a horrible person this is 
and how they tried to kill their mount.  The only FACT I know is that they are 
doing the right thing by having the horse treated and not hiding it or whisking 
it away to die somewhere to save themselves embarrassment.  Whatever happened 
before, they are, at that moment, doing the right thing.  

The most appreciated thing done for me the day Solitaire was being treated was 
an offer of a cold bottle of water (because I'm sure I looked like hell - just 
like my beloved horse) and so I will take a cold bottle of water to ANYONE, 
ANYTIME I see them having their horse treated.  I'll leave it to Ridecampers to 
flame and condemn them.
:o)
Scott

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