I would look to one of the AERC Board of Directors to clarify policy (Bob
Morris are you listening?) but it is my understanding that one hour
following completion (pulse down on 25's, crossing the finish line for 50's,
etc), a horse may be treated. Treatment prior to one hour or failure to
meet pulse criteria should result in disqualification. A critical point
here is *completion*. A short distance horse (25-30) does not complete
until pulse is at or below criteria (time stops at pulse down) *and* he is
judged "fit to continue". The time for presenting for "fit to continue"
judging I believe varies from region to region. Some vets may require you
to wait the entire hour. Some vets will grant completion as soon as pulse
has been reached and the horse has been judged "fit to continue". The 50
mile horses, while their time stops when they cross the finish line, still
must meet pulse criteria and be "fit to continue", as well, to complete. I
believe with both distances, pulse criteria must be met within 30 minutes of
crossing the finish line (same at vet checks).
Does this help or muddy things up even worse?