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Well said Bruce. Amen.


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> From: Bruce Weary <bweary@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: 'Ridecamp' <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [RC]   AERC
> Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2007 13:37:39 -0700
>
>  Jim--
>  I am thankful that your last response has been heard now, but I would 
> like to add some final comments as well. First, it seems we both are guilty 
> of making assumptions without adequate information. I wasn't aware that you 
> underwent surgeries that have kept you out of the saddle over the last two 
> years. I sincerely apologize for my inadvertent insesitivity to that fact. 
> I hope you recover quickly and comfortably.
>  I presume you are referring to the veterinary treatment my horse 
> thankfully and publicly underwent at Tevis a few years ago. I was in awe of 
> the veterinary staff, their dedication, skill, and professionalism under 
> very difficult circumstances. I was neither ashamed nor embarrassed to be 
> seen by hundreds of competitors, volunteers, and ride officials standing by 
> my horse as he received heroic care for over six hours. Not one of the well 
> wishers who stopped by expressed any concern or disain that I may have 
> caused his problem by "riding him into metabolic distress," as you put it. 
> You presume this from some three years ago and  3,000 miles away. It drove 
> home to me how very important it is to partake of prompt and appropriate 
> veterinary treament *at the first sign of trouble,* just as you might 
> saunter into your doctor's office without a care as to what the neighbors 
> are thinking. Because I understand all the complicating factors that aren't 
> controllable by even the most judicious rider, I have no hesitation in 
> seeking appropriate treatment, as I can't feel guilty over unseen and 
> unforeseen influences that can lead to metabolic crises. I already know how 
> not to override a horse.
>  The message you repeatedly send is that needing such treatment is clearly 
> a sign of the need to be chastised, to assume abusive horsemanship, and to 
> receive punishment and censure, since it's more than likely (in your mind) 
> that metabolic distress is most often caused by overriding by hard-driving 
> and ignorant riders. Not only does our empirical experience and the death 
> reports not support that, in fact, they dispute it. Thus, the house of 
> cards your proposed penal system is based on, collapses. Ironically, it 
> seems that most overridden horses (yes, Jim, it does happen) survive. There 
> is a paradox there that baffles many of us. It should baffle you, too.  
> Holding fast to your theory in the face of overwhelming evidence to the 
> contrary, nullifies any chance you have of making a difference.
>   You are free to ask my boss, Laura Hayes, what I have contributed to the 
> HWC. I am newly seated on the Board and the Vet Commitee, and I am trying 
> to learn from my elders before I wade too deep into the waters of giving 
> suggestions and opinions. I will say there are some incredibly talented and 
> dedicated people, with varying degrees of colorful personalities and 
> passionate opinions at the helm of AERC and its committees. You are 
> fortunate to have them, and you will find that an ounce of support and 
> appreciation will go farther than a pound of criticism, anyday.
>   Oh, and since you're interested, my horse colicked because of a 
> managerial mistake I made. I experimented with pre-electrolyting him in the 
> days that led up to Tevis, and it backfired and actually induced 
> dehydration in his gut, causing an impaction that was relieved by IV 
> fluids. I was riding nearly dead last. I think if Heisman could speak, he 
> would have told me something to the effect: "Thanks for ignoring the peanut 
> gallery and treating me anyway. I didn't deserve to die." It is my wish for 
> all endurance riders to see it that way, when that time comes for them.
>   Let's move on now.     Bruce Weary
>
>
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