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WEll, one case in particular that I thought the rider made the wrong decision was actually Celia:\. It was at a ride that was particularly hard, because the mileage was off. We were doing more miles then was thought, so before anyone figured that out, everyone was really pushing their horses hard because we weren't making time. Beings as everyone was late, they checked and then figured the mileage was off. It was also very hot and humid, and in the toughest terrain in our region. That ride is still remembered as the ride from hell.

I pulled the second day, it just wasn;t worth it, because the adjustment they made still wasn't helping. I went out, but still couldn't make the times. Of course after it was all over, and only 2 riders finished on time, they decided not to penalize anyone for lateness. But because I had pushed her so hard the day before she was tired, and I just didn't think it fair to keep going.

Anyway, after she came in the first day, she fed Stormy before he had properly cooled off. She believes that is what caused him to colic. So here's a horse who has done 30+ miles at over 5mph, and she walks this already tired horse for several more hours...Now, I don't immediatly run for the vet or meds when I've had a colic. It depends on the why's, whatfore's, and how seriously in pain the horse is acting. Some mild colics can be fixed by some walking, a trailer ride, or just leaving them alone if they are not rolling....BUT even if it's a mild colic I would not ride the horse for AT least a day, probably more.

She went ahead and went out the next day, and finished, and she says it was the right decision because the horse did it....I'm sorry, he might have done it, but that doesn't mean he SHOULD have had too, IMO. I was very disappointed in her over that. We've never talked about it, because I know she's already taken some flack over it, which she needed too. That was just wrong. She still defends it, but I don't think she'll do it again. Another horse colicked that day, and that rider pulled even tho her horse recovered with no meds. I think Celia in her heart knows what people thought now, and realizes it wasn't right.

Becky

There's certainly always competing interests in horse sport and recreation, and we always have to balance the desires of the rider to win, or at least finish, and the best interests of the horse, which we often have to guess at. I'd have pulled.

That she 'got away with it' and yet still has regrets indicate it's never an easy decision.

Sounds like a ride I'd have pulled from just for the heat... ugh!