On Saturday, one horse died and two horses were injured during The Tevis Cup 100-mile endurance ride from Lake Tahoe to Auburn, California. According to Gold Country Media, one horse slid to his death on a treacherous portion of the trail.
The 12-year-old Arabian, Steel, slipped and fell while his owner, Susie Kramer, led him through a narrow portion of the trail around the 50-mile mark. By the time Kramer reached her horse, he had died.
On Tuesday, images of another accident involving a horse that fell and had to be lifted to safety with a helicopter were posted to social media. The UC Veterinary Emergency Response Team stated:
Sunday, July 17, the UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team (UCD-VERT) responded to a request by the organizers of the Tevis Cup to rescue a horse that had fallen off the Western States trail while competing in the famous endurance ride. The hillside where the horse had fallen was very steep, estimated 60-degree inclination, and the forest flooring of rocks and forest litter was very unstable, making it impossible for the horse to stand. The UCD-VERT worked with several groups and agencies including Tevis Cup veterinary team, first responders from CAL FIRE, Placer County Fire Department, Nevada County Fire Department’s Large Animal Rescue Team, and Butte County Sheriff’ Helicopter crew.
On July 19, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine updated social media with the horse’s status:
UPDATE 7/19, 3:30 P.M. PT: The UC Davis veterinary hospital is treating this horse rescued by VERT and various emergency officials at the Tevis Cup. The horse is recovering well from its injuries, and the owner would like to thank everyone for their concern and caring thoughts. The owner is grateful for the emergency services of VERT, CalFire, Placer, Nevada, and Butte Counties, and all who were involved in saving the horse.
The other injured horse was treated and is expected to recover.
(Images via VERT/Facebook)
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OMG: my condolences to this horse’s family. I would be absolutely devastated if I lost my riding buddy……
I’m sorry but WTF is wrong with people? The whole area is having a heat wave, it’s dry as a bone and their pushing poor horses to break their necks to win, win what?
WHEN WILL PEOPLE REALIZE THAT THIS IS A FORM OF “TORTURE?!
PLEASE PLEASE SIGN THE MANY ONLINE PETITIONS FIGHTING THIS.
PETITIONS CAN BE FOUND ON CHANGE.ORG., AMONG OTHER SITES.