Mounted search and rescue

[<Jorene@CEOates.com>]

 

----- Original Message -----

From: tm-fi

To: Mounted search and rescue

Sent: Saturday, October 25, 2003 10:31 PM

Subject: Re: [MSAR] MSAR Rider skills

I agree with an arena-field merge for a basic horse and rider evaluation.  When our Team conducts evaluations for prospective trainees, we try to always start out in a ring (or at least set up an arena setting)  for our first series of testing, then field work followed by a couple of miles on the trail.  During our last H&R evaluation, two riders were told to dismount and "walk" their horses to their trailer, because they were too much of  safety risk for others.  I can not believe some teams still invite newbies on a training session without conducting a primary H&R skills assessment.

However, once a member reaches trainee status, we prefer to use real world training environments (rather then in an arena or ring).   Except for academic classes, written tests or quiz's, we prefer to train in areas and situations similar as what we would find during a real world search.  One on One time with your mount in a confined setting is important, but it is a task better left done as an independent activity, away from the team.  If we did for parades and such, then arena work would be very beneficial.      

I also agree with with the getting off the horse part.  That is why I had talked about having those victim stations for my dream MSAR Judged Course.  

We just had a fun little exercise for our new trainees.  We tested both their mounted pacing skills and ground search skills.  Each team rode a given distance anywhere from 200 to 400 meters to an assigned (unmarked) 15 meter area.  Once in their assigned area, they dismount and search for a quarter that is placed somewhere within 8 feet from the center of the trail.  Finding money motivates people (grin)

Tomi'

   

Jorene@CEOates.com wrote:

I really like what I'm seeing suggested here from Tomi and Terry. Tomi wrote "Confidence, experience and exposure are the key elements."  Terry wrote "... most riders over estimated their own and their horses skills ..." I agree!

 

Trying to come up with viable methods to solve rider/mount issues isn't easy. One solution is MSAR teams taking on new/different riding challenges with every training ... and having regular riding-related training in addition to ground/classroom training. (I'm remembering Chris' report of the rider at SAR City who said she hadn't ridden her horse in several months. Big Ooops!)

 

We've discussed the idea of having some kind of designed course options for national standards - not remotely ready to go there yet on details, but I like the concept! An arena-field merge that also takes the MSAR rider out into the field and through a scored course is one I particularly like. 

 

Something else I've noticed is many MSAR teams focus more on the Search training and far less on the Rescue. For this MSAR Team Competition-to-be <g> with obstacles, orienteering, tracking, etc. ... don't forget to include at least one "more complicated" rescue as part of a dismounted test! ;)

 

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