Mounted search and rescue

["Ian Vowles" <Ian@modric.net>]

A good point JL -

Ordinarily teams mounted or not require the "searchers" to be fit for the
task - if you can't get on a horse that does raise an interesting question ,
certainly with my 16 1/2 H QH a slope or stump is welcome !! However my
actual SAR horse is 14H - 14 1/2H and an easy mount in all conditions.
Given the wide variety of terrain and search enviroments this is probably
best left to each jurisdiction to determine, BUT the principle JL raises is
important if not fundemental. 

Ian


-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of
scotland@mindspring.com
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 3:02 PM
To: Mounted search and rescue; Mounted search and rescue
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Re: mounted patrol testing question


I've been reading the message traffice regarding the mounting from the
ground question.  Granted, there are a lot of folks out there that are
capable riders once in the saddle.  But my concern would be when does the
person that can't mount from the ground become a liability to the mission.
When does that person become part of the problem rather than part of the
process.  Regardless of the reason and regardless of what side you mount
from, if one cannot mount from the ground, is that safe?  Has that person
now added an additional responsibility on to the Team Leader.  

It's tough enough to watch out for ourselves and our eqine partners while we
are on a mission, but to be put in a position or to put my Team Leader in a
position of having to worry about me if I have to dismount.........  If an
individual is in such disomfort and not capable of mounting from the ground
because of that discomfort, perhaps it is time for that individual to
reassess their position on the team?

Just food for thought.

JL
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