Mounted search and rescue

[pennbo@bbv.net]

We don't require them, although I think we should. Even the most rock
steady horse can be knocked over in the wrong situation. SAR work puts
us in some dicey situations at times- places we might not go on a
pleasure ride with folks we might not normally ride with, surrounded by
sounds, smells, and other SAR personnel we might never have seen before.
Our main mission is SAR not "do I look cool". <G> I prefer my head
intact and don't give a darn what I look like while doing my job!

As to trail riding- yes, I wear mine all the time. Its comfy, cool, and
classic. BUT we ride the same kind of territory when pleasure riding as
when we do SAR work! <G> It's rugged country here and we like to keep in
shape. I wear mine for several reasons- the primary one being my
daughter. I have always required the kids to wear helmets when riding.
While tacking up once my daughter looked at me and said "Mom, wear a
helmet. I would miss you as much as you would miss me." Well, yeah, duh!
I have worn a helmet since that day. That decision was reinforced when I
was trailbossing a large 'dude' trail ride. I rode with a doctor who was
also wearing a helmet with her western gear. I asked her why? She
replied that she is a neurosurgeon and far too many of her patients are
equestrians. She'd rather remain the doctor. <G>

As safety devices progress and discomfort becomes less of an issue we
should all reexamine what we do and why.

Chris Pennington
Big Bear Sheriff's Posse
MSAR