The Welfare of the Horse Committee has presented, for discussion and consideration, a change in the rule regarding completion of endurance rides.

Rule 6.2.1.1 currently states, "All equines must stand a mandatory post-ride evaluation within one hour of finish..." The rule change proposed would require all equines finishing an AERC-sanctioned endurance ride to meet pulse and soundness requirements within 30 minutes.

Rule 2.1.6.2 reads, "Any equine not meeting pulse criteria within 30 minutes of arrival at a veterinary checkpoint, other than the post-ride vet check, will be disqualified." "Fit to continue" at a vet check during a ride is considered as meeting criteria in 30 minutes, and should, in the best interest of the horse, be the standard at the finish line.

This change would provide for global standardization in a conservative vein. In "tightening" our standards, we are providing further protection of the health and welfare of the equines in our sport.

This rule change would affect horses who may be asked to "race" the last leg of a 50- to 100-mile ride with the thought that they have a full hour to recover to pulse criteria. This thought allows for more speed when horses are most vulnerable to injury due to fatigue. It would also affect those horses whose level of fitness is not adequate for the job they are being asked to perform. A level playing field of 30 minutes to recover will allow competitors to gauge their finish on recovering within that shorter time frame.

Following discussion by the membership, the proposed rule would read: "All equines must stand a mandatory post-ride evaluation within 30 minutes of the finish. Riders must present their equines for the final examination at a time of their choosing during the 30 minute period. An equine that does not meet the established criteria including pulse criteria within 30 minutes of crossing the finish line shall be disqualified. Once a competing equine has passed the post-ride examination, it may not be removed from completion for veterinary reasons."

This proposal has been presented by the Welfare of the Horse Committee and received full support of the Veterinary Committee.

As members of the American Endurance Ride Conference, you are invited to let your representatives on the board of directors know your opinions on current business before the board. Let your regional directors and directors at-large know if you support or oppose this rule change proposal, which will likely be voted on at one of the convention board meetings in February. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses for your board representatives can be found on page 2 in each month's EN.