Mounted search and rescue

[Karen Nesbitt <spanishequines@yahoo.com>]

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Addressing Message: 4
Date: Wed, 07 Dec 2005 15:20:39 -0500
From: "irvin lichtenstein" <ilichten1@verizon.net>
Subject: Re: [MSAR] MSAR - Unaffiliated Volunteer Illinois

Mr. Lichtenstein, 
   
  Without a doubt I am in agreement with much of what you said especially 
with things making sense and some not.  I also lean on the if it is not 
broke, don't fix it.  Your 17.2 has its position. .  My 14.2 has hers and so 
does my stallion....and we are agreed here mine will not be doing crowd 
control nor will my stallion be on the trails of MSAR!  The mare on the other 
hand...well.....she's been there, is extensive
  trail, parade, traffic reliable, rides fine with stallions, but at 26 
though still sound is heading for retirement.  So,  I am starting a new mount 
and at her young age, right now, the new brat is debateable and obviously 
unexperienced.  Given that it's a new game.
   
  From what I gather you are quite experienced in a professional career 
position.  Mounted police? I assume you are assigned your mount vs owning?  
May I ask how old the 17.2 is and how long you have been it's rider?  How 
much saddle time a week do you put in?
   
  Since I raise horses I am all to familiar with the costs of raising them 
and from the business standpoint both in buildings, land and animals....It 
was more costly when I had one and had to board it out as for annual outgo.  
AS for $6000 annually, no.  Excluding professional administered shots, I can 
take care of about 12 head for nearly the cost of one doing 95% of the care 
from feed to farrier and wound care on my own land.  Realistically you cannot 
take the cost of the farm as part of the animals care as real estate is 
another situation from taxes and business point of veiw.  Equipment such as 
the trailer and the truck, saddles and gear that's also part of the picture, 
BUUUT, when you start talking costs, expenses and deductions, it depends on 
where all you derive your income, what all you do and how expensive or 
deductable this can be.  (a matter for any individuals tax accountant to look 
into,debate and discuss.)   My point of veiw at the moment is from a farm 
business point
 of veiw.  Training and time is not included in any of this.  If I train my 
own, there is no cost other than time....if I pay a trainer or 
assistant...OUCH!  (Now there's one area that I can use a volunteer!)  The 
killer is the cost of insurance. Whew!  but you have to account for that 
everyones situation and expnses will vary.  The cost of the horse on the 
other hand - free since I have the stallion and mare, but to buy one, 
anywhere from $1000 and up....typically $3500 to $5000 or more age, training, 
gender is a variable.
   
  In my neck of the woods, board is anywhere from $150 to $500 and up per 
month depending on the care and facility.   This does not include extras such 
as any feed variables, shoer, vet, gear, truck trailer etc and the pain in 
the neck costs to travel.
   
  As for identification as one of the "good" guys...as a spontaneous 
volunteer or unaffilated, sir what are we talking?  
   
  Karen Nesbitt
  Illinois