In a message dated 2/17/2007 8:34:18 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
bigcreekranch@xxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
As long
as we AERC riders continue to feel so protective of our horses, we will
not "win" that kind of race because we will be too afraid of hurting the
horses we consider our friends. I guess it is up to the individual riders,
but it's not something I would ever try, even if I had the best horse in
the country. It would kill me to hurt my horse by trying to win a
race like that. To me, and a great many others, horses are NOT
expendable.
Wow - SO true Barbara! This event is NOT AERC endurance and foreign in more
ways than one. Sadly, to these countries, their horses ARE expendable as are
their people in many cases. You know, even though I am not a "pundit"
(WHEW! That sounds like it would HURT!), the years of experience at the track
and with their vets is enough for me to know that track racing and flat distance
racing have their inherent hazards, and what we see unfolding to me is the worst
of the worst. I would really like to see the numbers on the horses who complete
these ride - where are they today, and are they sound, productive and content?
Anyone know? S
