Re: American River 50 - ride story

["Karen Steenhof" <steenhof@cyberhighway.net>]

>Soon after a nice, controlled start <bad point: my horse got kicked after
>we had accidently bumped into the horse in front of us, due to traffic jam
>on single track, the rider did not even bother to turn around and see if we
>were okay, nor did he punish his horse, nor did the horse wear a red
>ribbon....different story!> Mario

I don't think a horse that has been "bumped into" should be disciplined for
kicking.  The horse/rider that does the bumping is the offender in this
instance.  Here in the Northwest, there is a big controversy about denying
entry to horses that repeatedly have caused problems at rides.  One is a
tailgater that runs into horses in front of him.  The other is a kicker that
goes out of her way to nail people and horses (no bumping required).  It is
a very serious issue that has the potential to shut down rides in our area.
It should not be confused with clearly provoked incidents like the one you
described.

Karen Steenhof
Boise, Idaho
steenhof@cyberhighway.net