Mounted search and rescue

["Sherry C. Hicks" <shicks@nwinc.net>]

OK, I'm the greenie. I just have to ask, is it safe to hobble in an
uncontrolled area. I agree with you that a policy should be complied with or
changed. You are talking about using hobbles instead of ties. There are
times when a horse is justified in flight. In the areas where we would
search there are sometimes packs of dogs, other areas would have worse like
bear or even cougar. Is it safe to use hobbles on a horse and leave it
unattended.

It is true that I am not a fan of hobbles; however, I have seen situations
where their use was necessary and proper. It also seems that you ought to
require a certain level of training for a horse used in MSAR. Do they have
to pass any kind of test before being accepted for use? It seems that a
horse that is not sufficiently trained could hinder a search.

I'm no trying to be difficult, just learn.

Thanks
Sherry

-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jorene Downs
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 1:57 PM
To: Mounted search and rescue
Subject: [MSAR] Hobbles

From: "Patty Montoya" <riverrider@bak.rr.com>
> Also, our unit requires that we pack hobbles, but I always highline or
> electric fence my horses.  So, I went out and bought hobbles with no 
> intent
> to use them.  I don't really want to get into a discussion of the pros or
> cons of the hobbles themselves, I'm more interested in opinions of the 
> unit
> REQUIRING that I use them.  Should the individual make this decision, or 
> are
> we obligated to follow this rule just as we are obligated to follow other
> MSAR rules and regulations?
> Patty/California

If it is a unit requirement, all should conform ... and demonstrate 
appropriate use of that equipment. If folks disagree with the requirement, 
vote to change it. ;)

Assuming the horse is broke to hobbles and respects their restraint, they 
can be very useful when you're in a situation in the field where you need to

temporarily leave the horse unattended, there is no convenient location to 
tie, and you want all hands available instead of someone dedicated to 
holding all the livestock.  (This also assumes all the horses are not taught

to ground tie.)

-Jorene



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