Mounted search and rescue

["Marie Lester" <marie.lester@gmail.com>]

> The horse needs to swing out over the void, possibly with its rump
> pressing against the wall.  I would hate to do this the first time
> on a new horse in the Pecos Wilderness!  Train for it on the side
> of a small erosion ditch.  The horse does not need to see anything;
> it needs to fit its body into a semi-confined space.


Thanks for explaining this, Una.....our terrain is so different here,
but I was in a situation once in which there was a rock wall on one
side and a severe drop off on the other.....the trail had become so
treacherous, that we HAD to turn around.   I have re-visited that
situation many times in my mind.

I agree with your comments regarding parking lot duty....our unit has
engaged in this service in an effort to build a stronger relationship
with our law enforcement units.  We have reflective bands on the
horse's legs/bridles, wear bright orange, carry flashlights and hang a
light stick around the horse's neck. We always travel in
pairs....nevertheless, it asks quite a bit of the horse, for sure.

Marie