Mounted search and rescue

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

I don't use the saddle as a "ground tie" anchor;  if the horse
needs to be tied to anything, then I think it should be either
something the horse cannot break, or (if the horse is good at
being tied) an almost symbolic tie object that is no danger to
the horse.  Many ride-and-tie folks boast their horses can be
tied to nothing more than a hank of grass or a twig on a bush.
Staying tied is really easy to train if you convince the horse
that being tied is a rare opportunity to take a nap.  To teach
that, smart polo grooms tie and leave green horses precisely
when the horse is tired and desperately wants a nap.  In no
time at all, a conditioned response forms:  "She tied me and
now she is leaving.  Heh, heh, nap time!  <zonk>"

Now, if I needed to tie out my horse and there was absolutely
nothing to tie to, I would (1) wish I had packed a picket stake
and (2) probably use my saddle.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico