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Vetcheck Rider/Crew Team Organization
by:
Lori Stewart
The
Vet Check! Pandemonium will rule, except in the small world surrounding
horse and rider where all needs will be met quietly, efficiently, and
systematically because the division of labor and the routine are clear
to all members of your rider's crew team.
Orientation: In
the days preceding the ride, all members of the crew team and the rider
should discuss and plan the following:
1) The rider's
tacking and un-tacking routine (halter, bridle, saddle, pad, breast
collar, and heart monitor.) How is the extra gear attached such as
pommel bag, cantle bag, sponge, etc? Interference boots - how tight and
where positioned on the legs.
Go over
potential trouble spots to watch for such as saddle pad positioning,
weight pad tricks, buckle rubs and cinch and elbow chaffing. Make a plan
now to have solutions in place should these problems arise.
Who is in
charge of the tack check, cleaning and saddling? Does the rider want to
supervise when the horse is re-tacked? Plan a clean area to put tack
during the holds for eg a tarp under the saddle rack (and don't let
people track sand/dirt on the tarp!) Encourage everyone to use "day
at the beach" etiquette. How long before the end of the hold does
re-tacking begin?
2) Who is in
charge of keeping track of time and also keeping everyone on schedule
with their duties?
3) Show the
crew what your horse's shoes look like when everything is right. The
clinches, position of the shoe in relation to the hoof wall, nail head
wear, pad type (if used) and how to check for lodged dirt and debris.
Have a plan for shoe replacement and have a spare set labeled and ready
complete with nails. Put someone in charge of doing a quick shoe check
while the horse is being prepped for the P & R. It would be awful to
have a lame horse due to a lost or sprung shoe that went undetected.
4) Have a vet
check entry plan. Does the horse need the bridle off and if so before or
after the first offer of water? Who presents and swipes the rider card
and notes the time (on paper for your own reference?) Who gets the
initial pulse and tracks its drop during recovery (the rider, vet,
groom?) Who directs the movement of the team from the entrance station
to the recovery area? Decide before the rider gets in where the horse
will be cooled.
5) How is your
horse most effectively cooled? Go over where he can be sponged, sprayed,
and iced and how many people can be cooling at the same time before your
horse gets nervous. Who holds the horse during cooling?
How does your
horse respond when recovering well vs when he is having a slow or
stressed transition?
For the early
checks, who will be in charge of the blanket and determine what weight
blankets to have on hand?
6) Who loosens
the girth and when will the saddle be removed and by whom?
7) Who is in
charge of the rider during the recovery period and will stand with
her/him and listen to his/her needs and concerns without being
overheard? This person should have a bottle of chilled water to offer
the rider and make him/her drink!
8) Who trots
the horse? If the rider, please have a back up and make sure they are
credentialed in advance the proper way to get into the vet box. Have the
team vet watch the horse trot a few steps before going to the vet box.
PRACTISE the trot out and review the VC trot lanes in advance!
During the
hold............
9)
Electrolytes: How long before leaving the check does the horse get them
and how much and mixed with what? Who is in charge of mixing and
administering?
10) What is the
horse's eating routine? Have the person in charge of his food lay it out
while the horse is going through the vet exam. When is the mash wetted
and what is in it (carrots, apples?) How much water is added to the
mash?
11) What kind
of leg icing, massage, stretching does your horse need and when in
relation to his eating routine? Who does it?
12) How much
walking does your horse need during the hold? How long before your rider
leaves do you want him/her to be mounted and warming up? Please have
your time person keep everyone on schedule to allow for ample warm up
time!
13) Who is in
charge of reprovisioning the fanny pack and saddle if necessary? The
tack cleaner and examiner?
14) Where does
your rider plan to carry the ride card? Who is responsible for it during
the hold?
FOR THE RIDER:
15) What kinds
of food and drinks should be set out for your rider? It is probably best
to have the person in charge of rider food set up while the horse is in
the vet box.
16) How much
clean up does your rider like in the check? Face and arms washed? Fresh
shoes, socks, etc? Maybe set up for clean up at the same time rider food
is set out. What kind of sun block should be on hand? Who is in charge
of cleaning sun glasses and having spares on hand?
17) Are your
rider and a team-mate riding together? If so make sure your crews set up
next to each other.
18) When during
the race does your rider want to know where they are in relation to the
competition? Always have available certain key information such as: The
length of the next loop, the hold time, the # of on trail crew spots on
the next loop, the trail marking color of the next loop, how far have
they come, did the riders they came in with pass the check, what
direction will your rider be heading after exiting the check?
19) Who is the
rider's VC escort for the bathroom and food concessions if she/he wants
to walk around?
20) Before the
ride day is the time to ask your rider lots of questions, NOT on race
day! Most riders will say that too many questions from crew and others
during a race interferes with their focus and concentration. The trick
is to have more answers than questions for your rider the day of the
race.
PLEASE NOTE:
Rest area space will likely be limited so please be efficient. There is
nothing more frustrating than a rest area that looks like an airport
baggage claim area. Keep your personal stuff away from the rider's rest
area. All crews should make an effort to respect each other's space both
physically and emotionally.
PLEASE TRY TO
KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR AND USE COMMON COURTESY IN THE VET CHECK. MAY
COOL HEADS PREVAIL.
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