First fatality. The rider had six years of endurance riding experience, competing in an average of 15 rides per year/750 miles per year. The rider had completed 27 100-mile rides prior to the event. The rider had a completion rate of 81%. Of the 50- and 100-mile rides completed by the rider prior to the event, the rider had placed in the top ten in 58 of the rides.

On the event, the rider placed fourth out of 21 starters and 11 finishers in a time of 10:48:54. The horse had eight years in endurance competition. The horse had a completion rate of 89%. The horse had 20 top ten completions. The horse had completed ten 100-mile rides.

The event: The rider expressed no indication of the horse having problems until after the completion of the ride, at which time the horse appeared colicky. The horse received high vet scores throughout the ride and pulsed down within eight minutes at each vet exam. The horse was transported to a veterinary clinic for evaluation and diagnosed with a small intestinal volvulus. Euthanasia was elected. Necropsy was not performed.

Second fatality. The rider had 27 years of endurance riding experience, competing in an average of six rides per year/300 miles per year. The rider had completed 15 100-mile rides and 122 50-mile rides prior to the event. The rider had a completion rate of 81%. Of the 50- and 100-mile rides completed by the rider prior to the event, the rider had placed in the top ten in 69 of the rides.

The horse had five years in endurance competition. The horse had a completion rate of 66%. The horse had five top ten completions. The horse had completed one 100-mile ride with four starts.

The event: The rider noticed “something wrong” with the horse on the second loop of the ride and noted that the horse was not eating “normally.” The horse passed the vet inspection but was pulled by the rider as a RO-Metabolic. Following treatment with IV fluids and Banamine, the horse improved.

The next morning the horse appeared colicky, was treated with pain relievers, an NG tube passed, and referred to a treatment facility where it was euthanized due to lack of improvement. Necropsy results were supportive of ileus as the cause of the colic, with a small intestinal volvulus that may have occurred at death. Ulcers were found in the stomach and duodenum.

Third fatality. The rider had 11 years of endurance riding experience, competing in an average of five rides per year/200 miles per year. The rider had completed two 100-mile rides and 44 50-mile rides prior to the event. The rider had a completion rate of 90%. Of the 50- and 100-mile rides completed by the rider prior to the event, the rider had placed in the top ten in 11 of the rides.

The horse had 11 years in endurance competition. The horse had a completion rate of 92%. The horse had 12 top ten completions. The horse had completed two 100-mile rides with three starts.

The event: The horse was transported approximately 100 miles to the ride site. The next morning, before the start of the ride, the horse was observed to be colicky. The horse was treated with Banamine and then transported back home and to the owner’s regular veterinarian. Further treatment was performed with nasogastric tube administration of mineral oil and pain management with Banamine and morphine. The next day the horse was euthanized due to lack of improvement following a diagnosis of impaction colic. Necropsy was not performed.

Fourth fatality. The rider had one year of endurance riding experience, competing in five rides that year/250 miles. The rider had completed five 50-mile rides prior to the event. The rider had a completion rate of 100% prior to the event. Of the 50-mile rides completed by the rider prior to the event, the rider had placed in the top ten in three of the rides.

The horse had one year in endurance competition with a completion rate of 100%. The horse had three top ten completions.

The event: The ride was a night ride starting at 5:00 p.m. The weather was reported as very warm and humid. The rider noticed the horse being lethargic and less willing to move out on the second half of the first 25-mile loop. At the vet check the horse failed to pulse down, remaining at 74 to 78 bpm, urinated dark brown urine, and developed “thumps.” The horse was treated with IV fluids overnight. The horse appeared to improve overnight, although still lethargic, and was transported home. During the trailer ride, the horse began to “tremble” so the rider unloaded the horse to allow him to cool off in a river. Upon arrival home the horse was turned out to pasture.

Approximately 48 hours later the horse was presented to the rider’s regular veterinarian and then referred to a university veterinary teaching hospital where it was euthanized due to laminitis in all four feet and kidney failure. Necropsy of the horse revealed exertional rhabdomyolysis (tying up), myoglobinuric nephrosis (renal damage by myoglobin), and enteritis/colitis.

Fifth fatality. The rider had nine years of endurance riding experience, competing in an average of six rides per year/150 miles per year. The rider had completed five 100-mile rides and 22 50-mile rides prior to the event. The rider had a completion rate of 87%. Of the 50- and 100-mile rides completed by the rider prior to the event, the rider had placed in the top ten in 22 of the rides.

The horse had nine years in endurance competition. The horse had a completion rate of 85%. The horse had 43 top ten completions. The horse had completed five 100-mile rides with five starts.

The event: The rider noticed that the horse was not eating normally at the first vet hold, preferring hay over his mash, with vet scores primarily A’s. The horse passed the next vet check without issue. At the 55-mile vet check the horse had “twitching” of the muscles of the “back end.” The rider electrolyted and massaged the horse and continued on the ride. Before the next vet check the horse had periods of “sluggishness” and “stopping” on the trail.

The horse presented at the next vet after taking eight minutes to pulse down and received vet scores of B with a C on gut sounds. The vet “passed” the horse but the rider opted to pull the horse as a RO-Metabolic and presented the horse to the treatment vet. The horse began showing signs of colic and received treatment with pain relievers.

The horse was transported to the ride terminus and received additional treatment with IV fluids, Banamine, pain relievers, and nasogastric tube placement, then transported to veterinary referral center. At the referral center colic surgery was performed to correct a small intestinal volvulus. The horse survived the surgery but continued to decline and was euthanized three days later due to continuing deterioration. Necropsy was not performed.

The Welfare of the Horse Committee wishes to extend our sympathy to the owners, riders, and all involved in these fatalities. It is our hope that by reviewing the events and historical background that we may learn from these tragic experiences and hopefully find ways to minimize risk to our equine partners.

Horse number 1 became reluctant to go on trail following second vet check and 40 miles and was returned to camp. Treated on site with medications and fluids, but became increasingly painful. Not deemed stable enough to withstand trip to vet clinic, the horse was euthanized at ride site. Cause of death, colic.

Horse number 2 did not feel “right” entering 58 mile vet check, passed check with slightly abnormal rear end gait. Rider opted to pull the horse for a RO-L. Stayed in camp overnight and ate and drank well. Horse hauled home and ate and drank well at a rest stop and upon arriving home. Became uncomfortable later and hauled to equine clinic that evening and given medication and fluids with no response. Necropsy showed twist of the colon.

Horse number 3 spooked after tangling in barbed wire dragging rider a short distance. Since it was after dark on a 100 miler, the horse could not be found immediately. The next day it was found dead most likely from injuries caused by the barbed wire.

Horse number 4 was being ridden on a 100 miler, but was pulled at 85 miles for metabolic issues and hauled back to camp for treatment. At camp he showed Thumps and respiratory distress. He was treated with medications and fluids. Despite treatment, his pain increased and showed worsened breathing. He was euthanized at the ride site and no necropsy was done.

Horse number 5 completed a 30 mile LD in just over 3 hours. At the finish, the CRI was 60/64. At the BC check 1 hour after finish, the pulse was still 60. The rider brought the horse back because he was not eating and had begun to paw. Treated at ride with medication with little improvement and transported to clinic. No further improvement there and was euthanized.

Horse number 6 was on a 100 miler, but pulled for metabolic issues at 76 miles. Horse was treated at ride with medications and fluids with no response. He was transported to a referral clinic and further treatment. Increasing pain despite treatment and was euthanized. Necropsy showed extensive damage in bowels causing severe colic.

Horse number 7 was on a 50 miler and passed second check at 34 miles with no problem. However horse refused to eat and began pawing. Treatment began immediately with medications and fluids. Became progressively worse and was euthanized. Necropsy showed twist of colon causing colic.

Horse number 8 was racing to the finish on a 50 miler when he stumbled just before the finish line. He pulled up and only was able to stand on 3 legs. Transported to the University Vet School where he was evaluated and euthanized. The horse showed a severe fracture of the right ankle.

Horse numbers 1 and 2 escaped their pen enclosure at night prior to a ride. They were found after having been hit on the highway and killed. Sadly the same owner/riders had both horses.

Horse number 3 was running in front on a 50 miler with another rider and it got into broken ground on the edge of the trail and had a catastrophic open fracture to a front ankle and was humanely euthanized at the scene. It is not clear if the fracture caused the fall or the fall caused the fracture.

Horse number 4 was ridden on a 50 miler. He required a re-check on gut sounds prior to leaving on the last loop to camp. The horse also showed an elevated CRI score at that check. He was reported to have been eating well at the check and attitude seemed good and was therefore allowed to continue. At the finish he had “B” gut sounds with an “A” attitude and overall “A-.” Approximately 2 hours post finish the horse became colicky. Treated at the site with sedation, pain meds, fluids and electrolytes with no improvement and continuing pain. The owner declined further treatment or transportation and the horse was euthanized. Necropsy performed at the site showed twisted areas of the small bowel that had been deprived of blood causing “colic.”

Horse number 5 was being ridden on a 100 miler. The horse felt “not quite right” on the previous loop, but the horse was eating and brightened up after being tacked and the other horses were leaving also. Halfway into that loop the rider felt the horse again was “not right,” but had to continue on due to not being able to access the horse out on trail. At the 85 mile check, the horse immediately became violently colicky and trying to roll. Treatment was started immediately and continued. This continued for many hours, meanwhile the owner was reluctant to transport the horse. Eventually he was stable enough to transport to a University vet school. Treatment was continued for another day, but the horse showed no lasting improvement and remained in considerable pain. The owner opted to euthanize the horse. Necropsy shows no lesions were identified. The small bowel showed swelling with the final diagnosis being generalized swelling of the small intestine.

Our sympathies are with all the riders and owners. We must continue to observe and learn our horses’ subtle signs for signals they are not feeling well. Our sympathies and thanks are also with the vets who worked so hard to save these companions that work so hard for us.

The 2009 AERC ride season saw four horse fatalities. Two, including a fall from the trail, occurred in the West Region. The fall, on a narrow, well-known 100 mile trail, occurred to an 18-year-old TB mare with close to 3,000 competition miles ridden by her long-time owner. We are thankful that the owner was dismounted at the time the mare lost her footing.

The second West Region fatality occurred in a 6-year-old Arabian gelding with 410 lifetime miles. He finished the 50-mile ride in the modest time of 7:03, but suffered a bout of colic the next day. Cause of death was listed as a ruptured stomach.

In May in the Central Region a 14-year-old Arabian mare succumbed to complications after suffering from Rhabdomyolysis (tying up). The mare died approximately a month after completing a 30-mile ride.

The fourth fatality of 2009 occurred after the completion of a 55-mile ride in the Southwest Region. The 10-year-old Saddlebred gelding had 300 limited distance miles on his record. Cause of death was a large bowel torsion.

The Welfare of the Horse Committee wishes to extend our sympathy to the owners, riders, and all involved in these fatalities. We hope that by publishing these statistics, that riders and veterinarians continue to realize that immediate and through field treatment of any metabolic problem with shipment to the closest hospital is always the best course of action to keep our equine partners safe and healthy.

As with the charts for the previous six years, there are no glaring reasons why most of these horses died. One very tragic case was of a horse who finished a 100 mile ride and was injured at the trailer that night, causing an irreparable joint injury. Accidents are always possible even with the most diligent care, and can effect our partners at any time.

While all fatalities in 2008 occurred in horses entered in 50 and 100 mile rides, that is not the case with other years, and in our opinion does not reflect a trend of any sort. Experienced riders and horses seem to be affected at the same relative rate as the inexperienced.

Again, colic, or non specific belly pain, is the initial symptom that most of these horses experience. One key issue that the Welfare of the Horse Committee would like to continue to stress is that riders need to be vigilant in their observations, sensitive in their intuition and to seek immediate help if things do not appear to be ‘right’ with their horse. The small belly discomfort that your horse got over at home with a little walking, could become a life threatening colic in the face of even slight dehydration and physical stress that occurs at rides. Immediate aggressive treatment could have made a difference to those horses listed on this chart, that did not have that advantage.

Riders are urged to educate themselves to the signs and treatment of colic and to be prepared to employ the treatment vet at a ride, and to ship their horse to a clinic, should those signs appear. The cost of surgery is understandably prohibitive to most owners, but most of these cases will recover with good supportive medicine. This is an expense all of us should be willing to shoulder for our partners.

About half of the horses who died at or after rides, were subject to a post-mortem exam. The Veterinary Committee has available a refund up to $300 to any rider who loses a horse and has a necropsy performed. While it is understandable that such a procedure at an emotional time can be difficult to an owner, it is crucial to the understanding of why and how these horses die, and could help to prevent such losses in the future. We have heard from owners who have had a necropsy done, that while it was a difficult decision, it provided some relief and closure to them at a later date.

The Welfare of the Horse Committee wishes express our heartfelt condolences to those riders who have experienced the loss of their equine partner, and our pledge that we will continue to investigate and learn from these losses in the hope of preventing further fatalities.

Of the eight deaths, three were accidents that caused fatal trauma. There were five colic type incidents reported (colic being general belly pain). Of the five, three were determined, upon necropsy, to be caused by gastric torsion, while one other was identified as a gastric rupture. The other two colic fatalities were not subject to necropsy and are listed simply as unspecified colic. Among the cases of colic, two were entered in 100 mile rides and were stricken during the ride, while one was a 35 miler and one 50, also presenting signs before the finish of the ride. One colic death did not become symptomatic until hours after the completion of the ride. More details regarding all these deaths will be listed in the individual reports issued by the Welfare of the Horse committee in the coming months.

All of the riders involved with fatalities in 2007 were relatively experienced with substantial AERC miles to their credit. In past years we have seen riders of all levels of experience that have lost horses. This could be a fluke of circumstance, or it could be that the new rider information and education that has been presented in the last several years has caused newer riders to be more cautious and alert to changes in their horse’s behavior. Experienced riders sometimes rely on a false confidence in outside factors such as proper feed, electrolyte protocol, a brief vet exam, or past experience to assure them that their horse is fit to continue. Past bouts with illness in horses that recovered may also lend itself to allowing a condition to continue or worsen when it would be more prudent to stop and seek immediate treatment. This committee would like to stress that we have found in our investigations that any change in a horse’s health or attitude could signal a problem that can quickly spiral downward. Diligent observation and veterinary intervention is of the utmost importance in the survival of a colicking horse who may be compromised by exercise. Erring on the side of caution could circumvent a lifetime of second guessing and “what-ifs.”

The Veterinary Committee has available a refund up to $300 to any rider who loses a horse and has a necropsy performed. While it is understandable that such a procedure at an emotional time can be difficult to an owner, it is crucial to the understanding of why and how these horses die, and could help to prevent such losses in the future.

The Welfare of the Horse Committee wishes express our heartfelt condolences to those riders who have experienced the loss of their equine partner, and our pledge that we will continue to investigate and learn from these losses in the hope of preventing further fatalities.

In the fourth year of reporting fatalities, we see again, the occurrence of these tragedies spread over all distances from LD to 100 miles, and over an extremely wide range of rider and horse experience. There appears to be no trend in new riders, experienced campaigners, or those who travel at speed.

While it appears that Arabian geldings are over represented in this chart, in fact, when adding the statistics from other years, this is not proven to be the case. For example, in 2003, five fatalities occurred in non Arab breeds, and four of those were mares. The most highly represented group of horses entering AERC rides is indeed, Arabian geldings.

Of the ten cases represented here, the percentage in the instance of colic is the highest in the four year history of recording fatalities by the Welfare of the Horse Committee. The seven colics are broken down into two confirmed gastric ruptures, one strangulated bowel confirmed through necropsy, and four nonspecific colics that were not subject to necropsy. Three deaths appear to be statistical anomalies — one unavoidable and unpredictable fecalith, a spontaneous fracture found later to be secondary to an old injury, and traumatic blood loss due to a riderless impact with a tree.

One significant observation from this chart and the case histories is that many of the metabolic problems appeared to occur at or after 50 miles, with four of the cases showing symptoms after a completion of the ride. One of those four was a 25 mile LD while the others were 50 mile rides. In many instances, there appeared gaps in treatment, either from travel, nightfall, or the horse generally appearing to improve and then treatment and observation being reduced or withdrawn. In some, a false sense of security prevailed before the horse took a turn for the worse and the situation became fatal. This would suggest a more diligent focus on those horses who suffer any type of metabolic disturbance, and more intense monitoring by the rider/crew.

The Welfare of the Horse committee strongly urges every rider to develop the skills needed to observe and record objective information and to recognize the signs of deterioration and to be able to convey that information to a veterinarian who can properly treat the horse for its symptoms.

It is further recommended by this committee that a person or persons responsible for the horse who suffers a metabolic problem keep a written chart for at least 12 hours following the initial onset of illness. The chart should consist of 15 minute recordings of temperature, heart rate, gut sounds, physical activity (or lack thereof), nibbling or lack or interest in food and water, skin tent, and capillary refill.

We have learned through the study of the fatalities in 2006 that immediate and timely treatment and careful observation can be critical to a horse’s survival.

The Welfare of the Horse Committee wishes to express our sincere condolences to those riders who lost their partners, and express our gratitude for the ability to study their cases in the hope that it may help to educate and create awareness in others.

Of the eight deaths, three were accidents that caused fatal trauma. There were five colic type incidents reported (colic being general belly pain). Of the five, three were determined, upon necropsy, to be caused by gastric torsion, while one other was identified as a gastric rupture. The other two colic fatalities were not subject to necropsy and are listed simply as unspecified colic. Among the cases of colic, two were entered in 100 mile rides and were stricken during the ride, while one was a 35 miler and one 50, also presenting signs before the finish of the ride. One colic death did not become symptomatic until hours after the completion of the ride. More details regarding all these deaths will be listed in the individual reports issued by the Welfare of the Horse committee in the coming months.

All of the riders involved with fatalities in 2007 were relatively experienced with substantial AERC miles to their credit. In past years we have seen riders of all levels of experience that have lost horses. This could be a fluke of circumstance, or it could be that the new rider information and education that has been presented in the last several years has caused newer riders to be more cautious and alert to changes in their horse’s behavior. Experienced riders sometimes rely on a false confidence in outside factors such as proper feed, electrolyte protocol, a brief vet exam, or past experience to assure them that their horse is fit to continue. Past bouts with illness in horses that recovered may also lend itself to allowing a condition to continue or worsen when it would be more prudent to stop and seek immediate treatment. This committee would like to stress that we have found in our investigations that any change in a horse’s health or attitude could signal a problem that can quickly spiral downward. Diligent observation and veterinary intervention is of the utmost importance in the survival of a colicking horse who may be compromised by exercise. Erring on the side of caution could circumvent a lifetime of second guessing and “what-ifs.”

The Veterinary Committee has available a refund up to $300 to any rider who loses a horse and has a necropsy performed. While it is understandable that such a procedure at an emotional time can be difficult to an owner, it is crucial to the understanding of why and how these horses die, and could help to prevent such losses in the future.

The Welfare of the Horse Committee wishes express our heartfelt condolences to those riders who have experienced the loss of their equine partner, and our pledge that we will continue to investigate and learn from these losses in the hope of preventing further fatalities.

In the ride year 2005, there were eight deaths reported at or following AERC rides. Two were fractures – one spontaneous and involving the spine, and one caused by a blow to a leg, resulted in the death of two geldings. The horse that was kicked was not entered in a ride, but was present at the ride site, and was included in these statistics in the interest of full clarity and disclosure.

One longtime campaigner suffered what was most likely an aneurysm while walking down the trail, while four colic deaths occurred – two on the day following a ride, one two days later and one leading to laminitis six days after a ride. One horse was euthanized due to complications following myolitis, or tying up. Most of the deaths occurred in the 50-mile distance while two were limited distance entrants. All experience levels were represented from riders with more than 5,000 miles and horses with more than 1,000 miles, along with new riders and horses with no AERC records.

There were 21,000 starts by horses in AERC-sanctioned endurance and limited distance rides in 2005. The loss of eight of our equine partners is far less in percentage than those horses that died in the general population, and a tiny fraction of those lost at race tracks, but still our organization grieves. Our goal in reporting and disclosing these fatalities is to learn and educate to further guard the welfare of our companions on the trail.

The Horse Welfare Committee wishes to extend our heartfelt sympathies to those riders who lost their partners, and to thank them for helping us further our quest for information by sharing their stories.

The American Endurance Ride Conference’s Welfare of the Horse Committee was formed in response to member concern over the lack of data pertaining to the death of horses during and after AERC events. In 2003, the first year of its existence, the committee reported on 11 fatalities that occurred at or following endurance events throughout the country. Accidents, pre-existing conditions, and acts of nature were recorded and investigated along with any fatality that could possibly be seen as “exercise induced.”

For the 2004 ride season, the committee reported on six deaths from almost 22,000 starts in endurance competition. Two deaths were attributed to trauma — a fall from a cliff and entanglement in a fence while loose. One death was caused by an aneurysm — something that would have been impossible to predict or avoid. A 20-pound enterolith (gastrointestinal stone) caused the death of one very experienced and well cared for horse; again, something impossible to predict. Unknown colic/abdominal pain, the most common killer of all horses, no matter their use and age, was the cause of death of two horses at or after endurance rides in 2004.

Most of the horses that died in conjunction with an AERC ride were subject to post-mortem examinations to accurately determine the cause of death. Post-mortem examination, though a difficult decision at a stressful time, can provide information important to AERC and critical to the owner. Funds are available through the Veterinary Committee to defray the cost to the owners.

The Welfare of the Horse Committee is hopeful that the decline in horse fatalities observed in 2004 will continue, and may be related to a flood of safety information and increased awareness of the welfare of the horse. Another important role of the seven-member committee is to field informal concerns from members regarding other competitors who may be seen as “pushing the envelope” or those who may be in need of education regarding the safe competition of their equine partner. This is done in a kind and gentle way through a letter, a packet of information, and/or a phone call. This informal mentoring has been well received and the committee members have seen significant changes for the better in those they have contacted, and remain open to dialogue should those riders need help in the future.