The current chart of fatalities for the ride year 2006 lists 10 horses who died at or after an AERC sanctioned event. This is the chart as it was presented at the AERC convention in Sparks, NV in March. There are two additional reports that are incomplete and not represented at this point The chart will be updated as soon as the additional information is received.

In the fourth year of reporting fatalities, we see again, the occurrence of these tragedies spread over all distances from LD to 100 miles, and over an extremely wide range of rider and horse experience. There appears to be no trend in new riders, experienced campaigners, or those who travel at speed.

While it appears that Arabian geldings are over represented in this chart, in fact, when adding the statistics from other years, this is not proven to be the case. For example, in 2003, five fatalities occurred in non Arab breeds, and four of those were mares. The most highly represented group of horses entering AERC rides is indeed, Arabian geldings.

Of the ten cases represented here, the percentage in the instance of colic is the highest in the four year history of recording fatalities by the Welfare of the Horse Committee. The seven colics are broken down into two confirmed gastric ruptures, one strangulated bowel confirmed through necropsy, and four nonspecific colics that were not subject to necropsy. Three deaths appear to be statistical anomalies - one unavoidable and unpredictable fecalith, a spontaneous fracture found later to be secondary to an old injury, and traumatic blood loss due to a riderless impact with a tree.

One significant observation from this chart and the case histories is that many of the metabolic problems appeared to occur at or after 50 miles, with four of the cases showing symptoms after a completion of the ride. One of those four was a 25 mile LD while the others were 50 mile rides. In many instances, there appeared gaps in treatment, either from travel, nightfall, or the horse generally appearing to improve and then treatment and observation being reduced or withdrawn. In some, a false sense of security prevailed before the horse took a turn for the worse and the situation became fatal. This would suggest a more diligent focus on those horses who suffer any type of metabolic disturbance, and more intense monitoring by the rider/crew.

The Welfare of the Horse committee strongly urges every rider to develop the skills needed to observe and record objective information and to recognize the signs of deterioration and to be able to convey that information to a veterinarian who can properly treat the horse for it's symptoms.

It is further recommended by this committee that a person or persons responsible for the horse who suffers a metabolic problem keep a written chart for at least 12 hours following the initial onset of illness. The chart should consist of 15 minute recordings of temperature, heart rate, gut sounds, physical activity (or lack thereof), nibbling or lack or interest in food and water, skin tent, and capillary refill.

We have learned through the study of the fatalities in 2006 that immediate and timely treatment and careful observation can be critical to a horse's survival.

The Welfare of the Horse committee wishes to express our sincere condolences to those riders who lost their partners, and express our gratitude for the ability to study their cases in the hope that it may help to educate and create awareness in others.

Laura Hayes
Chair Welfare of the Horse