@gothedistance I know you have wayyyyy more experience than I do in the endurance world. But I’ve most certainly done rides where there is much sharing of buckets etc at holds- I just did No Frills this spring and you were not supposed to bring your own buckets, feed or hay to the away holds (and since I helped load the trailer to go out to the holds with everyone’s stuff I certainly see why). Everything was shared. Muckleratz (which unfortunately is not happening due to rain this weekend) has no natural water on trail so shared drinking troughs every 5 miles (I suppose you could cart water out there but if vehicles are only allowed with special forest service permits how would you get it out there?) RBTR- water is dipped out of shared troughs, same with Jersey Devil and Rabbit Run/Bunny Hop. Plus I’ve seen and been part of crews who will jump into help other riders who might need help cooling a horse etc. And how many times have we seen a horse that will refuse it’s own hay or grain but be thrilled to chow down on someone else’s (with permission of course). Not saying you couldn’t get away with not sharing ANYTHING but it would certainly be a bit difficult
Incubation period for just Strangles is 3-21 days. I wouldnt think someone would intentionally bring a sick horse, but, someone might unintentionally bring a sick horse (here is where my germy thing kicks in). There are other infections (even more dangerous) with long incubation periods too.
https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/1009e/
Also, sounds like a lot mandatory sharing going on. For someone like me (who even has germ-a-phobe by proxy - lol) this is definitely a deal breaker. Im sorry, I dont mean to cut down on your sport, its just not for me.
Im sure its fun everyone. I have a blast trail riding, but, the required sharing is just not for me.
Yes, you could bring your own bucket and feed to the No Frills away vet check. You don’t have to use what the ride management provided. Just the hay. Trust me - I DO know. Their aim is to limit the weight of the crew bags so the volunteers can handle them, but you have control over the contents as long as the weight is manageable. And if you used the buckets supplied, you should have been the only one using that bucket. There are also creeks at the vet check - a nice flowing one right next to the main In/Out Timer tent - if you wanted to dip your own water.
You also don’t need a plastic bucket - there are collapsible buckets you can buy and carry with you if you are that freaked out about picking up another horse’s pathogens.
Keep in mind I’m answering to the fears of the OP that it is doable - not to share - but at some rides it can be a bit more difficult. However, the OP has expressed too many concerns and phobias regarding just even the close proximity of other horses, and in a sport where there are many horses in a controlled area, this sport is obviously not a good choice.
Shame about Muckleratz CTR - all that rain damaging the trails. Never did that ride (don’t do CTR) so not familiar, although have friends that love it. The NJ ride (the Mustang) went through/past lots of water. The pine barrens have that, and sand, in abundance. The only ride I was ever in that had a lack of fresh water that could be reached safely was the Doncaster Renegade ride. Even then, I risked the mud to reach the creeks because the water in the troughs by the end of the day was truly gross and disgusting from people using the trough water to sponge their horses. So ignorant. I was always, at every ride, scouting continuously for natural, fresh sources of water, and surprisingly always found it for my guy to drink.
And yeah, funny how horses can become an instant, ravenous glutton with some other horse’s feed, yet turn up their noses at their own. Great way to get a picky horse to eat - offer it someone else’s dinner! Works every time!
Can you please tell me where I expressed “concerns and phobias regarding just even the close proximity of other horses”
If I remember, I expressed concern over drinking from community buckets, and thermometers…
I think I also pointed out that I do trail ride, but, in an environment where I dont have to share buckets…
I am truly sorry if I offended your sport, that was not my intent here.
Euthanasia not mandated but the most commonly selected opition
After failing the first test If the second sample is positive, the horse will be permanently identified within 30 days by a freeze brand at public expense or by lip tattoo at owner’s expense.
Owners of infected horses have several options: 1) immediate euthanasia, 2) sale for slaughter purposes under written permit, 3) brand and permanently quarantine in isolation on its home farm at least 200 yards from other horses for the rest of its life or other facility approved by the State Veterinarian.
Because of the probability of recurrent acute attacks and the fact that horses remain infected for life, euthanasia is the option generally selected.
Lately I’ve been seeing troughs with signs marked for sponging or drinking but of course we all know there are some that will always think rules don’t necessarily apply to them. Muckleratz has an endurance ride too now at the beginning of July- really nice ride if you ever get a chance 
The weather has been wrecking the endurance/ ctr schedule for the area this year it seems though- no Rabbit Run, no Muckleratz, no Ride Between the Rivers 
Post #22. Right above my comment about your concerns.
You also used the term “required” sharing, which isn’t true. The only things “required” in Endurance are vet checks, following the correct trail for completion, and staying within the AERC/ride rules of time allowed for a completion. Nothing else is “required”, not even camping overnight, and at some rides not even wearing a helmet.
Of all the organized horse sports Endurance is probably the most relaxed and most “mandatory rules” free and “pick your available option” for the competitor.
If you don’t want to try the sport, then fine. Don’t. But please don’t spread negative misinformation about it either, even in ignorance.
:no: Yup!
- No where in "post 22’ did I say anything about “concerns and phobias regarding just even the close proximity of other horses”… no where… im not sure how your reading things.
I think you may not be reading the “germ-a-phobe by proxy” comment correctly. A “phobia by proxy” means you project your phobia onto others. That statement means, because Im a germ-a-phobe, my horse is also germ-a-phobe.
POST # 22
- I was told in other posts here that sharing water troughs was mandatory on the rides, as in post #21
It is absolutely NOT mandatory, you just don’t allow your horse to drink at the water troughs provided along the trail, and you use your own bucket at your vet check area.
none of the rides ive been to had to take temperatures, unless maybe the horse didn’t vet clear and they needed intervention.
I am new to endurance but I’ve noticed that most rides seem to announce ahead of time if your vet checks will be away or at camp. I personally don’t bring a crew so I like the rides with “at home” vet checks because it means I can easily access anything in my horse trailer, including my own water. I just did a ride today and everyone I met was super cool and put the care of their horses first which is amazing. I can’t say I have a phobia, but it is embedded in my brain to worry about shared buckets/water troughs; however, I’d rather my mare come down with the sniffles than a case of dehydration if I had to choose. No one in their right mind would try putting a sick horse through such a demanding ride.
I guess what I’m getting at is that maybe if the OP wants to try endurance, choose rides with at home vet checks. Water may be provided along the trails but it’s not required that you let your horse drink it, and if you’re doing a ride with an at home vet check you should be able to offer your own water from your own buckets about halfway through. Also, as others said temperature taking doesn’t seem to be routine. My biggest fear at my first ride was my horse realizing the amount of exercise she was in for and escaping during the night. Fortunately, electric fence and a bale of hay kept her content. I guess we all have our fears!
