Mounted search and rescue

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

While towing, or waiting in base came, some people always keep
feed in front of their horses at all times;  some people never do.

The third option is that it all depends on specifics of equine
management at home, on the road, in base camp, and in the field.

If the horse is not on pasture or free-choice feed, then you may
have to load and go before feeding.  In that case, feeding en
route and in camp would be appropriate.  But if such a horse just
finished its breakfast before you loaded, then not feeding en
route or in camp may be appropriate;  that depends on what you
feed, how much, how much work you expect the horse to do, etc.

For horses that at best nibble when they anticipate working, you
might as well not bother with feed.  My mare, retired from polo,
is one of those.  She just makes a big mess.  Take away the feed
and she will happily take a nap.

Something to consider is the attitude of local resource managers
toward "weeds".  Some parks do not allow you to feed hay on site,
lest you leave behind weed seed, or even non-native agricultural
crop seed.  Some parks allow you to feed only milled pellets or
"certified weed free" hay.  Some parks also require you to scoop
any horse poop, put it back in the trailer, and take it away with
you.  Some parks require you to drive through a carwash en route
(no joke!) but I have yet to find anyone who has done this with a
horse trailer in tow, much less horses aboard.  Some parks even
require you to feed only milled pellets or "certified weed free"
hay for 3 days before arriving, so any manure accidentally left
behind will have minimal "bad" seeds in it.  These rules may or
may not be suspended in the event of an emergency such as a SAR
mission, but you may make yourselves more popular by preparing to
accomodate these rules.

Patty, why not ask your teammates why they do what they do?  It
could be very educational.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico