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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Urban benifit of knowing silent alert signals

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  • From: "wwfarm" <wwfarm@wiktel.com>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Urban benifit of knowing silent alert signals
  • Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 18:44:39 -0700

Horse Scenting Positions.
Of course it is easier to grasp when you see it in person but I will try to write a picture. First scent changes the way it travels according to different environmental conditions, it can travel a range from very high to right on the ground. I have seen my scenting horses scent right on the ground like a dog but I have also seen them scent with their noses high in the air like a whitetail buck scenting a hunter. This is a  scenting position that even a large dog would have trouble reaching but it must be important or else the bucks would not use it. But the most often used position seems to be kind of a snaked out neck fashion that can be best described as a cross between  a herd stallion movement and a western pleasure horse.   At least this is their starting place along with ear and neck side motions. When the rider is tuned in there is also a certain feeling and change in speed that goes along with it.
Than just to make it interesting the horse will change their positions and movement in different stages of the search. The different stages are searching, first picking up the scent, following scent drift, nearing scent source and loosing the scent.
 

TERRY

Marshall County Mounted Sheriffs Posse

http://www.airscentinghorse.com

 

                                                                                                                                                      ----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 3:48 PM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Urban benefit of knowing silent alert signals

 
From: wwfarm
I would like to share the following experience with you because I feel it is a good example that describes the benefit of being able to recognize silent alert signals and the use of air scenting even in urban areas.  [...]
Thanks for sharing, Terry. Sounds like Mounted Police would also definitely benefit from air scent training! And kudos to Storm (and your training) that even without his customary "we're air scenting" tack he still performed.
 
You described the alert as "a small slight change in position" - could you provide more detail? I'm picturing a slight raise and tilt of the head, ear turned, but I suspect it would need to be more specific to identify that this is an "alert" and not just the horse being curious about something that caught his attention.
 
Also - have you ever tried air scent training with a mule?
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare Co, CA
SAR, MSAR, Swiftwater Rescue, US&R,
Technical Rescue, Cave Rescue,
Hasty Team, ICP
www.CEOates.com/sar
Tulare-Kings CERT Program Coordinator
www.tk-cert.org
 
 


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