A subject that no rider likes to think about is the possibility of his or her horse dying as a result of participating in an endurance ride. Fortunately, horse fatalities are a rare occurrence in endurance riding today. However, should you as a rider experience the loss of a horse as a result of participating in an AERC-sanctioned endurance ride, you should be aware that AERC will fund the costs associated with a necropsy.

AERC funds necropsies on horse fatalities associated with endurance rides because much valuable information can be obtained from necropsies. Determining specific causes of death and identifying predisposing conditions will help educate both endurance veterinarians and riders as to what may be done in the future to prevent a similar fatality.

Every fatality associated with an AERC ride is evaluated by the Veterinary Committee and reported on to the membership by the Welfare of the Horse Committee. Much more useful information on a fatality can be obtained, used and communicated to the membership for educational purposes when a necropsy is performed.

You as an endurance rider will likely never experience a horse fatality associated with an endurance ride. In the rare incidence you do suffer the loss of a horse participating in an endurance ride, please keep in mind and also remind the treating veterinarian either at the ride or at the referral clinic that AERC will fund costs associated with a necropsy. The amount of reimbursement will be limited to $300 and can be used for transport, laboratory, veterinary, and/or disposal fees.

The AERC Veterinary Committee would like to encourage every rider who experiences the loss of a horse at an endurance ride to request a necropsy. We know the loss of a horse is very tragic and is a very emotional time for the owner. Considering a necropsy can be very difficult during such a distressing time. Please keep in mind, though, that such a tragedy can be positively used as a learning experience for others in the future if useful information is obtained through all the tools we have, such as a necropsy.