Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>]

Counting my labor as worth $0, horse expenses for 2005 will be
$1700.  I keep one horse in a county-owned stables self-board
situation.  It is just over 1 mile away as the crow flies but
on another mesa 10-15 minutes drive away.  (I live on the skirt
of a volcano.)  The nearest conventional boarding outfit is 30
minutes away and starts at about $400/month.

Tow vehicle and trailer expenses were $1900.  That includes no
depreciation, since I bought them used.  1987 3/4 ton Suburban
and 2000 CM 2-horse bp stock-combo.  Here in NM living quarter
trailers are very popular but not practical for MSAR simply
because most incident bases are a long way off paved roads and
getting in and out can be difficult with any kind of trailer.

My SAR expenses were $500, despite responding on only one SAR
mission this year (I am now "staying at home" with a toddler).
All these costs were for training that I received or gave, or
for community development work.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico