ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Very Sad First CTR (and Long)

Re: Very Sad First CTR (and Long)

C.M.Newell (reshan@deyr.ultranet.com)
Mon, 05 May 1997 10:41:49 -0400

>... Did well (40/12) but got
>called to trot off just as P&R person was done. No chance to walk
>a little. He troted off and the judge/vet called us on lameness. He
>was short-striding on his right hind. I was so upset. The vet/judge
>did not explain at all. I thought my horse was dead lame and was very
>upset. Thought it was my fault and he was dead lame and i hadn't even
>noticed due to inexperience. I just wanted to die. My partner,
>however , and another vet rider watched and said not to worry, he was
>only slightly off and it was not a "real" problem.. I will say that,
>although the judge/vet was fair, she could have been a little more
>sensitive. I wasn't wearing a scarlet "R" for rookie but I know
>it was on my sheet. She was rather curt. I don't know and don't want
>to condemn. We all have bad days and no one was enjoying the rain.
>Still, a kind word or explanation to a newbe would have been nice. I
>really do try very hard.

As the vet judge in question, may I offer my perspective? It *was*
cold and rainy, and there were 46 horses milling around, bumping into each
other. I have never pulled as many horses on the trot out as I did Saturday.
If the horse was lame on the straightaway, it was Grade 3, there was no
point in doing circles, so we yelled to them to stop.
Now, as to my not saying anything, did it occur to you to walk over
and ask me what I thought? I would have been more than willing to talk to
you, but with the number of horses we had to look at, I had no time to stop
and tell everyone I pulled what I thought.
I would guess that the majority of the horses I pulled were crampy
from the cold and damp, as there were very few leg changes on the hands on.
But according to the rule book, any lamenes greater thean a "slight" Grade 3
does not qualify for completion--whether it is a stone bruise, a pulled
suspensory, bone spavin, or a muscle cramp.
As for sensitive, I was judging this ride whle worrying about my 3
week old filly in the neonatal unit at the vet school with a septic joint,
whcih is why I wasn't there Friday night to vet in. Sorry if my compassion
was in short supply.

>
>Anyway, I had a wonderful time riding, even in the rain. My horse was
>soooo good. I thought for a rookie horse he did excellently. Others
>said the judge was very strict (I was not the only one pulled).

As I said above, I've never pulled more horses at the vet in. (Nor given out
so many 25's for lameness, either--and some of those were to seasoned veterans.)

I
>did not get a completion. I did not officially "do" the 25 miles.
>All of that is not why I am upset. What worries me is my horse. I
>had him checked when I got back to be safe and he has no swelling
>on his legs at all. The muscles in his stifle area were sore. That's
>it. I've been told he'll be fine in a few days, just work him lightly.
>What did I do wrong?

Probably nothing. It was lousy weather that did in most of the horses that
were pulled.

>.. Was it the borium on his back
>shoes?

That may have contributed--I'd ditch it ASAP.

--Charlotte

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