The AERC rider card is going through a metamorphosis where all the information is contained on one side of the card instead of being placed where it was necessary to fold, unfold, refold, unfold, etc. it all the time. The data contained on the card has not changed but merely been rearranged. The card is taken for granted by most in our sport but it is a very necessary part of the record-keeping process.

Many riders keep a log book that contains all of their health papers, vaccination records, shoeing records, deworming records and their rider cards from all of their competitions. Many do this just for the pride of having a book to "show off" their horses and their own performance. Others keep it for the valuable information contained there. Memory is a fickle thing. One tends to remember the good things and unless there is a catastrophe, one forgets the unpleasant things. But by saving their rider cards they can look back and see the "good, bad and the ugly," so to speak.

As their horses miles start to increase the rider card becomes a record of what the horse is capable of doing. It will show whether the horse can compete at speed or whether it can hold speed at a greater distance. It will show whether the horse tends to get in trouble at certain distances or at certain speeds. It can show that the horse may need longer rest periods in between rides to allow minor lameness to have time to repair. If there are a lot of rider option pulls, the rider card can indicate that the rider also has trouble during rides and what type of ride gives them the most trouble.

By reviewing the veterinarian's notes on the cards one can see potential problems starting to appear. For example, if a horse receives an A- on a lameness in a particular limb but the rider cannot feel or see it the rider may discount it. But if it shows up at the next ride, skips a ride without showing up but then reappears at another ride, the astute rider will start to realize that there is a problem developing and it needs to be identified. The examining vet may only see the horse at one ride and assume that at this ride the horse found the rock that had the rider's "name on it" and not realize that a more deep-seated problem is developing.

The most common phrase heard by veterinarians is, "He always goes that way." Maybe he does and maybe he doesn't, but the comment made by one ride veterinarian when presented with this statement comes to mind every time I hear the comment. It was, "If he always goes that way then by-damn you always ride a lame horse." By keeping the rider cards as a continuing record the rider can physically see for themselves if the horse "always goes that way."

During the ride the rider card contains information that helps the veterinarians to follow the progress of a horse throughout the ride. If there are concerns at the vet-in they can be followed throughout the day. If a horse shows a slight lameness at the vet-in but it warms out of it most of the time there is no major problem, however, if it worsens during the ride it can be cause for alarm.

Occasionally heart or respiratory problems are detected at the vet-in -- these can also be monitored throughout the ride. Without the rider card it would be almost impossible for the average veterinarian to remember all of the idiosyncrasies of each horse.

When horses get into metabolic trouble during a ride the rider card can illustrate that a problem may be building within the horse's body. If the gut sounds are almost nonexistent at the first vet check and at the next vet check they have not improved and other metabolic factors (longer pulse down, dry or injected mucous membranes, increased skin tenting, etc.) are starting to worsen it may be time to retire that horse for the day. If it is noted that a horse is pulled for sporadic lameness due to muscle cramping it could indicate the need for muscle enzyme blood testing.

One of the Veterinary Committee members remarked during an investigation of a horse death that the rider card is the first part of the medical record, treatment at the ride site is the second part of the medical record, treatment at a referral facility is the third part and the postmortem report is the final part of the record. As more and more information is kept on serious problems, the rider card is becoming more and more important. During the investigation of a recent horse death, reports were given that had the horse stopping at two different distances (either the first vet check or the second vet check). A rider card stops all confusion immediately in a case like this.

Some people don't even realize what information is on the card. In a recent conversation with another board member the question of cardiac recovery index came up and the individual was not even aware that there is not only a place for it on the rider card but two places for it there.

So whether you like rider cards or not, they are a very necessary part of our sport and should be filled out completely at all veterinary examinations, especially the final post-ride examination. This is the one that is most frequently skimmed over by some veterinarians yet it is the one that gives us that final picture of the ride's stress on each horse on that particular day. If you do not get it, ask for it!