Mounted search and rescue

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

Two more examples.  First, one from an actual search, although it
never made it to the point of getting a state SAR mission number.

A teammate, C, got a call after dark from a neighbor.  The woman's
husband had not come back from his walk in the small wilderness
area adjacent to both their houses.  C called other team members
in the neighborhood, then got on her horse and rode out on a hasty
night search of the most popular trails.  Her horse adores the
"search" game.  After an hour or so her horse alerted.  C yelled
and heard a reply from a man who was far off the trail in a thick
pinyon juniper "forest".  Just as she reached the man, her horse
alerted again.  C asked "are you alone?" and the man answered yes
but then out of the dark his dog lunged, snarling, at the horse.

Second example, a mock search.  My task was to go to the point
last known (the vehicle) then go north northeast cross country
in heavy forest to meet up with a team that might need help.  In
a clearing perhaps 1/4 mile from the vehicle my horse alerted,
spinning.  Spinning is very unusual for her.  I could not hear,
see, or smell anyone but I was sure someone was there.  Hairs on
my neck stood up.  I blew my whistle and waited.  Nothing.  My
horse relaxed.  I noted the incident in my book, but didn't radio
it in (my role was observer, not searcher).  We continued on our
way.  That evening, the two "subjects" told how they got off to
a late start, and they were very nervous, being prey rather than
hunters for once.  They heard a whistle soon after they left the
vehicle, very close to them, and thought they were busted.  They
bolted off through the woods.  We checked my map;  if I had not
paused in the clearing, I would have found them.

        Una Smith
        New Mexico