I don't state the above for any reason other than establishing
credentials. In an earlier ridecamp someone asked about mileage and
endurance horses...our horses probably average about 600 miles a year in
their beginning years, starting at about 6 years of age. After about 2
years they are going about 800 to 1,000+ miles per year. We have found
that multi-day rides are very good training for the younger horses, both
physical and mental. At any age, speed in the early years is not good
for the horse...the breakdown caused by speed may not be seen until two
or three yers later.
As to video purchases....we have purchased many horses by video, but from
folks who guaranteed the horses. There are many things you can see on a
video, just as many things just do not show up on a video, no matter how
good it is. If I have any question as to the video horse, and I still
like it, then we have a vet check done by a vet near where the horse is
and reserve the right to have the horse pass an additional vet check by
our own vet within two weeks of the purchase. Basically, we get a two
week "free look" and try out. Unless the seller is very desperate and
the price reflects this (in which case sometimes it is worth the gamble,
especially if it is a mare with breeding potential), most sellers will
allow a try out and vet check contingency. Of course, it is always
better to see the horse in person for obvious reasons.
As to "fooling the vet"....over the years, both at my rides and at rides
I am at as a competitor, i've seen this happen, and I do not like this
practice!! As a Ride Manager I try to put on the best ride I can, good
trails, good water locations, marking, etc. and most importantly, GOOD
VETS WHO ARE THERE TO HELP YOU GET THRU THE RIDE WITH A SOUND AND FIT
HORSE, not to pull you for questionable reasons! No one knows your horse
better than you, and both I and my Vets know and accept this, however, we
also expect you to tell us if there is something going on with your horse
that is not usual...it is our premise that the Vet may be able to help
you continue the ride with no appreciable damage to your horse if the Vet
knows what is happening, maybe by giving you some advice on what to do or
watch for during the rest of the ride. This is not to say that your
horse won't get pulled if it is at the point of not being able to
continue safely, but we, the entire management team, are there to help
you and if you are not honest with us then we can't do our job
effectively. Also, reputation will precede you...if you have a
reputation of "trying to get away with things", I guaranty most
management knows this and a good Ride manager lets his/her Vets know that
they need to watch YOU a bit closer than some of the other riders. So,
for the good of your horse, your completion ratio, and for the sport of
endurance, it is best to be honest...it is, for all practical purposes, a
sport based on the "honor system". Hopefully, we are all honorable
people.
Randy Eiland