> Dan Minette <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > I wrote:
> > > Dan wrote:
<snippage throughout>
> > > Is the following statement true or false?
> > >
> > > Any horseback ride carries a small but definite
> > > risk of death.
> > <snort>
> > Not doin' it for cosmetic reasons, though!
> I agree..... I don't think it is
> unreasonable to take the
> risks inherent in horseback riding because one
> enjoys it. I've taken Girl
> Scouts horseback riding without worrying about the
> small but real chance of death.
But as a riding instructor, I *am* aware of it, every
single time I take a student out, or even when I just
ride for my own pleasure. I don't _worry_ about it in
the sense of being anxious or afraid that something
awful might happen, but I am constantly vigilant for
problems that might arise. (Frex earlier today I
decided to take a lead rope with me 'in case Baron
(the student's horse) gets too spooky' -- well, some
kids on those damn motorized scooters tried to chase
us, and if I hadn't put him on the line when I first
heard the noise, he'd likely have bolted across 4
lanes of traffic.)
> >My point is not to eliminate the risk of death, but
> > to reduce risking death *foolishly.*
> My point is that the risk of death is not what makes
> it foolish, it's the
> social pressure that makes a young woman feel she
> needs to be physically
> altered to feel good about herself (with exceptions
> like those we agreed
> upon here).
<nods head in agreement>
> So, we certainly agree it's a foolish action. What
> nudged me was the "is
> this worth risking even a small chance of death
> for?" arguement. Stated
> that way, personal enjoyment sounds like it's not
> worth risking one's life
> for. But, if the risks are small enough, a
> reasonable person could and
> should risk their life to, say, have an enjoyable
> evening. I might risk my
> life driving to the bookstore tonight. :-)
AUUUGH! Entering a 1+ ton pile of metal with
combustible matter strapped underneath, then
_entrusting_your_life_ to some other crazy out there
driving the same! Don't do it, Dan! Save yourself!
> If we didn't risk our lives like this, we'd live
> in a cocoon of fear.
I *am* a bit more cautious now than when I was 20 or
so - OTOH, one student laughs that she'd rather face
an angry dog than 'the wrath of me'! ;)
Debbi
I Pity The Fool Maru ;}
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