In 2003, the Welfare of the Horse Committee was formed following the first-ever Hot Topics session at the Chattanooga convention. Soon after that the group set about trying to identify issues in our sport that could be changed to positively impact horse welfare. Three of the issues identified were:

1. Age of horses competing in en­dur­ance. The committee sought to look historically at how and why the AERC rules were adopted to allow equines of 60 months of age to compete in endurance and 48 months in LD.

The findings were that no one recalls why our founding fathers (and mothers!) chose those numbers. It appears they based it on nothing more than a hunch and some experience telling them that those ages were sufficient for the stresses of this sport.

In recent years these numbers have been debated back and forth with no changes in the AERC on the immediate horizon, but we are always aware of recent studies citing age and athletic stress. In the meantime, the officials of the Western States Trail Foundation that govern the Tevis Cup 100-mile ride, the highest-profile ride in North America, and possibly the world, have raised the age of equine participation to 6 years of age.

2. Education. This is a very broad topic that ties in with other committees and takes many forms. An imperative educational issue on the welfare committee's plate was that of horse treatment.

The concern was that riders would delay lifesaving treatment to avoid the public scrutiny that many times went along with the sight of a horse on an IV after a ride. Articles, meetings and forum contributions brought to the forefront the importance of early treatment in horses that do not want to eat, have not drank enough water or who appear to have belly pain.

Together with the help of the Veterinary Committee, it was stressed over and over that treatment did not necessarily mean that horses were over-ridden or riders were negligent. Since then, a paradigm shift has occurred in our sport regarding treatment -- all for the betterment of our equine partners. How many horses have been saved through earlier, more complete IV treatment is unknown, but more riders are aware of the need for early intervention and are more prepared emotionally to deal with the issue.

Mortality reports were written and published that protected the dignity of the rider/owner while educating the membership to the signs of trouble and sometimes to the lack of solid evidence of illness until it was acute, reminding riders to be ever vigilant and not take anything for granted. Again, the Veterinary Committee has educated the riders, treatment vets and control judges on immediate treatment and the need for a plan for ill horses.

3. Thirty-minute pulse criteria at the finish of a ride. In 2003 this was identified as an important issue that could be changed to positively impact the welfare of our horses. The committee felt that horses that did not or could not reach a preset pulse parameter of 60, 64 or 68 beats at the finish of a ride were being asked to compete above their physiologic threshold.

At that time, even with no scientific studies evident, it made logical sense that if a horse was required to pulse down within 30 minutes of arriving at a vet check, then it should be capable of doing so at the finish. It was felt that allowing more time at the finish would allow some riders to tax their horses at a point when they were already stressed by time and distance and athletic effort.

With presentation of this proposal to the Veterinary Committee and with scientific studies to confirm it (see Dr. Meg Sleeper's article in the January EN) that committee agreed and has carried the flag toward changing the rule.

At last summer's AERC Research Summit in Denver, veterinarians, exercise physiologists, and other equine health professionals from three countries were in complete agreement that the AERC rule allowing 60 minutes to pulse at the finish of a ride was in error. The Western States Trail Foundation -- proving again that it is a forerunner in horse welfare -- has permanently implemented the rule that competing horses have to pulse to parameters within 30 minutes at the Tevis Cup 100.

This issue, now seven years down the road, appears to be this year's Hot Topic, and indeed will be presented at the convention in Reno during the popular meetings moderated by John Parke. If you have an opinion you will be allowed to speak, or if you are interested in others' opinions, you can sit and listen. This is a chance for your voice to be heard and we highly recommend and value your participation. See you in Reno.