Mounted search and rescue

[porleslie@aol.com]

Feeds best taken along on a call out has always been an important topic for 
MSAR. I have found that more and more areas prohibit any feed containing live 
seeds.  Fortunately hay cubes and various pelleted feeds have proliferated on 
the market in recent years these products are also easier to carry than 
traditional hay and loose grain mixed feeds.  A horse on a call out is 
usually working harder longer hours in addition to the excitement of a 
different environment and lots of strange horses, sounds, sights, and smells. 
any of these can contribute to an upset digestive system (ditto for the 
rider).  I have fount that a combination of hay cubes and pelleted senior 
feed works well. It is quite a bit more expensive that my usual combination 
of pasture, farm raised hay, and a small amount of bulk sweet feed from the 
local elevator. but the difference for the few days each year that we are 
away is negligible, and the commercial cubes and feed are a lot easier to 
store and move.
 
Porter