HORSE BEHAVIOUR AT RIDES
Please note that when you enter any affiliated endurance ride your horse will undergo a veterinary “hands on” inspection, including having temperature & heart rate taken, metabolic, teeth and body parameters. A trot out is also included to determine gait soundness.
You will have signed a ride application form and waiver. Doing so requires you to abide by the rules on that day. If you wish to preview the rules governing endurance riding in Australia please go to http://www.aera.asn.au
The following cover basic requirements governing horse behaviour at rides.
RULE H10
10.1 While on the ride base or the riding course, horses must behave in a manner not dangerous to other horses, competitors, ride officials or members of the public.
10.2 Horses must be well behaved at each veterinary inspection to allow required veterinary parameters to be taken
10.3 If repeated displays of horse bad behaviour are evidenced the horse may risk disqualification by the Chief Steward or Head Veterinarian.
Training your horse is not the responsibility of officials or vets.
To assist you and your horse, prior to entering a ride:
Please, practice taking your horse’s heart rate and temperature at home so it doesn’t come as a surprise to your horse at the ride. Put your hands all over the horse, including under the tail and down the legs. Open your horse’s mouth and touch its gums but do this in a gentle non-threatening manner. Your horse will probably be unwilling in the beginning as most of them think an unpleasant experience will follow (i.e. worming) so please gently insist on co-operation. If necessary, give a small reward for co-operation (piece of carrot or apple) so that it becomes less unpleasant.
Practice trotting your horse in a triangle going both clockwise and anti-clockwise so you yourself are prepared to do so at the veterinarian’s request. Practicing both ways gets you and horse used to it.
If your horse has kicked out at another horse or person, no matter how long ago, then you MUST have a red ribbon tied in the tail and you must inform officials that the horse may kick.