Has anyone ever stopped to think whether the numbers are even necessary?
It really isn't good grooming. I truly doubt that it would ever prevent
anyone from trying to illegally substitute a fresh horse in the middle of a
ride. People at check points can't read the numbers anyway--riders usually
have to call their numbers out. In the spring, the numbers don't stay on
through the ride because the horses are shedding. In the fall, they can
stay on for months. I've been to some multi-day rides where they don't
bother with numbers on butts. It works just fine.
Karen Steenhof
Boise, Idaho
steenhof@cyberhighway.net