Re: RC: Duckrant

[BMcCrary27@aol.com]

In a message dated 01/23/2001 11:02:46 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
reshan@deyr.ultranet.com writes:

<< But it's damnsure *your* job to maintain your horse's health.
 So if you expect the DVM to keep your horse alive, then be prepared for the 
 rant, because it will come. >>

Dave Nicholson treated my husband's horse recently on Death Valley ride.  
We've had 30 years of experience in endurance riding, and I can tell you that 
there are times when taking the utmost care of one's horse does not always 
yield positive results.  We were NOT ever-riding our horses, but his horse 
evidently is very prone to dehydration and is a poor drinker on the trail.  
So he thumped, and colicked, and was treated with fluids, IV.  I've known 
other cases of horses crashing, for unknown reasons, without having been 
over-ridden.  I do hope most people realize that not all crashes, nor all 
deaths, are caused by over-riding horses.  Some are, yes, but not all.  It's 
a painful stigma upon the rider to be branded as having over-ridden his 
horse, when such is not the case.  Apparently, this horse's weakness is 
dehydration, caused by his reufsal to drink when there is water on the trail 
and he needs it.  On the opposite side of the coin is my youngster (6 1/2 
years old) who just finished his first two 50 milers at Death Valley.  He has 
always been a drinker, even at home.  Every time water is available, he 
drinks, even 1/2 mile from the start of a training ride here at home.  It's 
just his nature, thank goodness.
As for Dave's "ranting", that's just the way he talks.  It may be a putoff to 
some, but that's the way he is.  Sometimes it's hard to know when he's 
joking, but I appreciate his philosophy that it's the rider's responsibility 
to take care of the horse.  I also appreciate the fact that he has twice 
treated my husband's silly horse for dehydration.  Now, how to deal with a 
non-drinking horse.............

Barbara