In the Mt. Laguna scenario, the code should have
been L, not RO or RO-L. The vet discovered the irregularity at the
VC.
Here is a scenario of a RO-M and you can apply it to
RO-L: Horse is vetted through a VC and rider goes out on the trail.
Rider realizes the horse isn't acting just right...very subtle, but rider knows
the horse intimately and realizes there is something indefinably wrong.
Rider returns to the VC (after riding a few miles out) and pulls. This is
RO-M. In order for the code to be either RO-L, RO-M or RO-SF, the horse
must have passed the VC first. If the rider realizes something isn't
right, he or she goes back to the vet and says something isn't right and pulls
voluntarily, that is RO-L, RO-M or RO-SF.
Repeat...an RO code without any other letter means it
applies to the rider only. Maybe we need to substitute an RI; Rider Ill,
Rider Injured, Rider Irritated. :-))
My guess is that if there is a surface factor that is
serious enough for the rider to pull the horse, it is likely the vet would have
pulled the horse first. But, then again, maybe not.
The reason for adding the L, M, SF is simple...AERC is
interested in keeping records. If there is a big percentage of L or RO-L,
does this suggest the terrain was abusive? If there is a big
percentage of M or RO-M, does this relate to weather conditions or too many
riders over-riding? If there is a big percentage of SF or RO-SF, does this
suggest that there are a bunch of saddles out on the trail that don't fit
properly or equipment that rubs? These records are used to help educate us
all. They are not punishment or an attempt to blight someone's
record. This is how the whole RO thing got started...some riders hated to
have a L or M on their horse's record, so they would claim a Rider Option in
order to avoid having it on the horse's record that he stepped on a rock and
bruised his foot or he was starting to colic.
-----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of John Teeter Sent: January 14, 2008 8:49 PM To: Michael
Maul Cc: ridecamp Subject: Re: [RC] Pull
codes
Mike
Under what situation would the code RO-L be used?
Can you give a specific scenario?
jt
At Mt
Laguna I came into the first vet check after a very lumpy rocky section. My
horse trotted out sound but the vet noticed a slight gait irregulaity. He
gently palpated her her leg and halfway down the suspensory she flinched. So I
pulled her (and ultrasound later confirmed a suspensory strain). I got a RO
pull code then, but under a more precise set of codes it would have been an
RO-L . (I could have continued and risked turning that strain into a tear and
gotten a "real" lameness pull, but that hardly seems the point
<g>.)
Lynn Kinsky,
Santa Ynez,
CA http://www.silcom.com/~lkinsky/
