>At one ride last year where the manager decided to not announce the
>finishing place but to only announce the top ten in alphabetical
>order of
>the rider, many people objected. Tempers flared, names were called
>and it
>got generally nasty. While ride managers have the discretion to do
>this, a
>ride manager is really going out on a limb if they don't recognize
>placement in limited distance. If limited distance rides are to be
>slowed
>down, then the AERC will have to take a stand and get the ride
>manager off
>the limb.
>
>Since I am planning on running a ride next year, I would like to come
>up
>with a creative way to slow down the LD, save my neck at the same
>time and
>still be within the rules. One thought was to require a 56 pulse
>within 15
>minutes at all vet checks and require at 56 pulse to finish (15
>minutes to
>get the horse down). Any advise?
>
>Is over-running LD rides an issue for the AERC vet committee to
>address?
>
Truman,
I myself have tried to slow down the LD rides by doing exactly that (low
criteria), but what happens is that the responsible riders slow down and the
ones going for the win get pulled after they have caused the horse to need
treatment. It seems to penalize the thinking people and the yahoos don't
understand what "56" means anyway.
I must say, though, that I do recommend setting the criteria there anyway. A
56 pulse is a fine criteria and really helps sort out the conditioned horses
from the others.
I really believe that the ultimate responsibility is on the ride manager with
the backing of the head vet and AERC. It is time that AERC be further
enlightened by the ride managers that they need this support. I can
introduce this item again at the mid-year board meeting but I get one heck of
a backlash from the people purporting to represent the ride managers saying
that as a vet I just want more power. Absurd, but let's try to find someone
else to introduce the idea to the board this time.
Over-running has been discussed at length in the AERC Vet Committee meetings.
Without the support of the board, however, the Vet Committee is powerless.
Talk to your directors and let them know your feelings one way or the other.
The loudest will be heard; don't let the "squeeky wheel" but the vocal
minority.
Mike
C. Mike Tomlinson, DVM
Tomlinson Consortium
501-D West Redlands Blvd.
Redlands, CA 92373-4642
(909)307-2369
Fax(909)307-2366
CMikeT@AOL.com
Mike@Tomlinson.com