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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Dogs riding

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: Una Smith <una@lanl.gov>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Dogs riding
  • Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2003 14:48:33 -0700

On Fri, Dec 05, 2003 at 03:34:30PM -0600, Jeff Ezell wrote:
>Why the 75# limit (if centered) when a horse w/rider probably carries
>200-400# with saddle & gear?

The dog is not a skilled rider, and all the dog's weight is
above the horse's back. None is distributed on its flanks,
unlike a rider's legs. So the center of gravity is higher.
And an inexperienced dog also doesn't know not to shift its
weight around.

Contrary to what many holiday riders think, the saddle horn
is not there to keep the rider in the saddle. Rather, it is
the rider's job, when roping off the horn, to shift weight
to keep the saddle and horn where they belong on the horse's
back. Horses do *not* appreciate having the saddle torqued
around their middle.

Una Smith
Santa Fe County Sheriff's Posse, in New Mexico




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