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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Riding alone

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: Slybarbara@aol.com
  • To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Riding alone
  • Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2006 11:43:17 EST


In a message dated 3/4/2006 7:41:53 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
una.smith@att.net writes:

Is someone on horseback at more or less risk than someone alone on foot or
in a vehicle?

Which do you think is riskier: sending a rider alone as normal
practice, or as special exception?




Out here in WA state, with cougars (and the occasional 2-legged varmit), we
never send riders alone. Communications are not dependable: the topography
blocks radio transmission and cell phone coverage is spotty or
non-existent.
We have an iron clad rule, written into our bylaws and repeated as a mantra
throughout training: Do Not Leave Your Team.

Leaving the team is grounds for failure, yet every year we have some
trainees with faster horses or larger egos who show a tendency to forget
they are
part of a group and need to have the message pounded in.

We reinforce the message by sending seniors go out in pairs to shadow
trainees. Missions are run with teams of 2 or 3 plus an OL in base. We don't
make
exceptions ,,that becomes a slippery slope.

Outside of SAR and unit activites, I have often ridden alone, comfortably,
on my SAR mare. I have another younger mare who has less experience and I
rarely take her out alone because she's not bomb proof and I am getting more
cautious with age/awareness.

If is difficult to say what is more dangerous - each event is unique and one
never knows what might have been if another choice were made.

Experience and confidence, a good horse and a good sensible rider may be
perfectly safe, alone, under most conditions. Sometimes we only have 3 of
these
4 elements. Add in a 5th: cougar, 2 legged varmit, or any other unforeseen
element and the picture could be dramatically different, and Murphy's law
seems to be attracted to those events.

Barbara Sly
NWHSAR







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