Mounted search and rescue

["Paul Fleming" <pfleming@nwlink.com>]

JL,

It looks to me like everyone is reading far to much into this getting on
from the ground and playing what if.  Mission liability come on, and it has
nothing to do with capable riders, You are right  members in discomfort you
mentioned shouldn't be on the mission.  Mounting unassisted from the ground
sounds real good but doesn't mean squat. Just because you can demonstrate it
in training holds no guarantee you will be able to do it in the field and I
have yet to have anyone convince me it is necessarry.  I believe its a bogus
requirement. You threw the "Safety " flag out there then didn't make your
case. I'ed like to hear more.

If you have been out a long time and are just plain tired, wet and can't
climb back up on your horse then lead him to a rock, stump or make him stand
in a ditch. Just get on the horse, we don't give points for style.  If
safety is an issue here is fatigue and has nothing to do with the mounting
requirements its poor resource management.

This has been an interesting discussion and I enjoyed your input.

Regards
Paul


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <scotland@mindspring.com>
To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>; "Mounted
search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 2:02 PM
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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