Mounted search and rescue

["Paul Kearney" <pakearney@hotmail.com>]

It was with interest I read about the rider rolling up in only a halter.  We 
have had this problem down here too.  The scenario was a self proclaimed 
natural horseman instructor (who is a new member of our team) had taken one 
of our younger riders under her wing.  The young rider attended a training 
seesion in just a halter.  I informed the young rider that it was 
unacceptable to attend our training in just a halter as our standards 
require horses to have a snaffle.  THe girl was happy with this but her 
instrructor quickly challenged my call.  She threw all reasons which luckily 
I had replies to.  This "instructor" has on numerous occassions tried to get 
things her way either one way or the other.  I found the best way to quieten 
her down was to make her accountable.  She asked if a gorl could ride on 
searches with us so the boss asked me.  I questioned the instructor as to 
the girls abilities as I would not have time to asses her riding befoe the 
training search exercise.  I was told she could walk and trot but that was 
all.  Cutting a long story short, I told her if anything happened to the 
girl on the exercise, she would be held accountable.  Once that was said, 
the instructor told the girl she wasn't up to speed yet.  It amazes me that 
people will come in with no experience in this area, and then prrofess to 
know the best way to do things, and push to get unsuitable persons to 
participate without propper training etc.  At the end of the day though, 
common sense still prevails (I hope it does anyhow)

>

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