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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "BC911" <usark9@warpdriveonline.com>
  • To: <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [MSAR] (no subject)
  • Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 11:16:02 -0700

Hi List
 
I am a K-9 handler, as you can see from my signature, but I am also an avid rider.I have been riding sense I was a kid.
I was first a trail rider. I couldn't afford a saddle when I got my first horse, so I rode bareback for years.
Later I rode bareback broncs and Bulls in rodeo for a few years. When I was in my mid 20's I broke, exercised and trained race horses at the track.
Now that I am way too old and too smart for those activities, I mainly ride trail for fun.
 
I have been interested in integrating my K-9's and horse SAR. It makes a lot of sense to be bale to search with both K-9 and equine to complement each other.
 
There have been several times that I needed to pack my dog into an area that was too far for her/him to travel without wearing her/him out first. By using my horse to pack her in and out, I can save the dog until we get to PLS, do the search and return to BOO.
Also there is no reason that the dog can't foot search while I ride.
Sage goes with me on rides all of the time. When she becomes tired or over heated, I motion for her to mount and she jumps up into the saddle. My horse is very comfortable with a dog (wolf) on his back.
 
Anyway, I am very interested in what you all think about this concept. It has come up for me on several searches where IC has offered me a horse and I wasn't willing to put my SAR dog on just any mount. She is just too valuable to put up on a horse that is unproven to be safe for a dog to ride.
I have packed in on ATV's ,but they are not always available.
Hooking up with a mounted SAR group seems like a natural evolution where possible.
 
B. Diane Whetsel, EMT I
Search Dogs Southwest, K-9 training Director
NMTF I, Canine Search Specialist, Type I handler
911BC, K-9 forensics
NM Disaster Dogs



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