ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: Pulling

Re: Pulling

Joe Long (jlong@mti.net)
Tue, 24 Jun 1997 19:22:58 GMT

Tina's question has already been answered. But I'd like to add my
support to what Mike and Bob have said. What we're adding here is
that neither "metabolic" nor "lame" should be considered a black mark
against either horse or rider.

Sure, all of us would like to able to say "my horse has never been
pulled." But we must not allow this goal, or the fear of people
thinking badly of us for being pulled, to jeopardize the horse's
safety.

I've pulled at a ride between vet checks. I've pulled at a vet check
before presenting my horse. And I've pulled after the vet gave my
horse the OK to go on. I don't regret a single one of them.

Failing to complete a ride should not be a stigma on anyone. It can
perhaps be hard to square that with "To Finish is to Win," because
obviously the rider who does not complete hasn't won anything. But
these are not machines we're riding. The rider who gives up his
chance to win in order to protect his horse is to be commended. We
commisserate with him, having worked so hard only to not realize his
goal that day, but he has realized the far more important goal --
going home with a living horse, a horse that will be back to try
again.

-- 


Joe Long
jlong@mti.net
http://www.mti.net     Business
http://www.rnbw.com    Personal

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