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RE: [RC] 2500 Mile Requirement - Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.Has anyone considered making the criteria for Fit To Continue at the final vet check more exacting, and/or difficult? I've seen a number of horses that have finished well at whatever distance, but had their final vet check been 3-4 (or more) hours after they finished, rather than one hour or less, I'm not so sure they would still pass muster. This is akin to Heidi's comments on many occasions that she doesn't so much want to see a horse as it comes into a check, she wants to see it on its way out. Maybe "fit to continue" should also mean "still fit to continue in five or six hours after the adrenaline has worn off" before we go handing out medals and hoopla. I also agree with 2500 miles prior to entering elite competition. Make them prove they can maintain the horse successfully over a long haul first, rather than just barely ride enough miles to get the tack adjusted. JMO. Susan Garlinghouse, DVM -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Diane Trefethen Sent: Saturday, November 18, 2006 6:54 PM To: Ridecamp Subject: Re: [RC] 2500 Mile Requirement All depends on how one defines "sound". If "sound" means "able to pass the final vet check after a 7-8 hr 100 mile race", then USEF is probably correct. It's the same as the fact that 16 yr old mogul bashers appear in better shape than 25 yr olds after suffering the same physical abuse. Operative word here is "appear". Just as the 16 yr olds will have lots of =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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