Re: RC: The Welfare of Our Endurance Horses

[Dbeverly4@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/10/99 12:44:49 PM Pacific Standard Time, thomas@amgen.com
writes:

<<  Making people aware that there is a problem may not
 make you the most popular kid on the block, but frankly, the welfare of
 every horse on a ride is far more important to me that who likes or doesn't
 like me.  
 
 Enough commentary, off my soapbox...whew, I feel better now! >>

Hi Barb, I think you are absolutely right.  The welfare of the horses should
be the top priority.  I've been lucky enough to go to Auburn for  the Tevis
for the past 5 years and have been apalled at the lack of care a minority of
the horses receive both before and after such a demanding ride.  (The VAST
majority are being cared for at the level that they clearly deserve).  It
never fails that within the "barn" where we stable before & after, there is at
least one horse who is not being watered (or if he is the buckets aren't
secured and he tips them over regularly) and is not being fed (I've taken over
the job in those cases).  These are the same horses who usually come in with
gall marks and are emaciated to begin with (what are they going to be running
on during the ride?).  This past year ('98) there was a horse in the barn with
bloody gall marks in both girth areas, looked like he had been ridden into the
ground BEFORE he even started 100 miles.  I was very confident that the vets
would not let him start (Tevis vets are so conscientious and caring in my
experience).  However, this horse was allowed to start -- I was stunned.  Now,
of course, I'm sure the blood was wiped off the galls, but couldn't the vet
see the problem?  When I saw this horse in Auburn before the ride he was
visibly lame due to the soreness from the galling (this was on Wednesday
before the ride).  I know that I can't presume to know more than those very
experienced and qualified veterinarians, but why would a horse in that
condition be allowed to start?  He was definitely pulled  (at Robinson I
believe) which is really the first opportunity (about 34 miles) to really look
at the horses.  So some faith was restored.  But, I shudder to think of this
horse's discomfort for those 34 miles.  I don't usually get to see the winners
come in (I'm a tiny bit farther back), but all these stories of horses being
over-ridden makes me wonder.  Are there set parameters that the veterinarian
judges have to work on? (other than the pulse criteria).  Maybe we (AERC)
needs to tighten up the parameters on "fit to continue" -- or has that
criteria just gone away completely?  

I hope I'm opening a discussion and not a flaming!

Sylvia & Harca (SHE'LL pull me when the time comes)


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