""hired horse death.dumfries.scotland""

[brendon]

I was concerned to read in the ""Dumfries and Galloway Standard"" 23/6/2010. that a hired horse died during the Guid Nychburris rideout on 19/6/2010.there were reported 200 horses taking part in this event and quite a few are hired horses.I dont know the full details of how the horse died.I reported a death of a horse at the same event in 2006 and was concerned as to why a vet was not in attendance due to the sheer number of horses and to check that horses are fit enough to take part

 

[MotherOfChickens]

some of these rideouts are worse than others and I have heard a fair few horror stories. I feel sorry for the hirelings, they have to put up with all sorts-not least being hammered on rock hard ground. I know some horsey types who won't put their own horses through it, but are happy to hire one.

 

[JenTaz]

a number of horses die at the rideouts each year, last year i was at two in the scottish borders at the begining of the common ride season and two horses died of heart failure according to the vet, was due to not being fit enough, personally i would never go back to hiring a horse, and now enjoy taking taz but i go at the pace i want to in regards to ground conditions etc.

 

[Kallibear]

Sadly it doesn't suprise me. The condition (and tack!) of some of the hire horses, from well known riding schools in the area, isn't great - most are fit but very lean, and the tack quality (and in some cases, fit) is awful.

The rides themselves aren't particularly hard for fit horses - I've done quite a few on my own horse. They're usually up to 6hours, with a good hours break in the middle and half hour drink stops thoughout. Mostly walk, with a bit of trot and some long gallops then plenty of walk again. Some are better than others and there are a couple I would avoid entirely.

There is always a vet in attendnce - they are usually riding. However the rides are open to any member of the public and not by invitation or entry, and whilst an obviously lame or ill horse will be told to leave, how can you judge the leave of fitness without a trial before hand? for 200 horses?

I do feel very sorry for some of the riding school hires though - they get inexperienced novice riders on them, some seriously overweight or unfit, and have to lug them about for hours, often at speeds. But the schools that allow that are well known, and there are some very good places that take good care of their horses.

 

[brendon]

perhaps it is time for more welfare rules for the hired horse industry..interesting to read the above comments..worringly it appears that this was not an isolated incident...lets hope the relevant agency impose new laws for the sake of the horses welfare!