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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Horsemanship

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "Marie Lester" <marie.lester@gmail.com>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Horsemanship
  • Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2006 14:26:00 -0400

The issue of opening and closing gates has been addressed in a couple
letters now. Our obstacle test involves opening and closing a gate
either mounted or not. I have had concerns about this, as I believe
it should be mandated that the gate be opened/closed from horse back.
It is difficult for me to believe that doing the same from the ground
is adequate testing....anyone who owns a horse should be able to open
a gate and bring the equine through it.
Comments?

I do understand that in some cases, one would have to dismount in
order to unlock the gate. That is a different scenario.

Marie

On 8/13/06, IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN <ilichten1@verizon.net> wrote:
While it is laudable in equitation to have a push button horse each area has
unique problems and solutions. For instance, when riding in a public park
there are either no gates or they are padlocked, making it difficult to open
them from the saddle, even with my 24" master key. Also, many stock gates
around here cannot be opened without operating a snap, a wrap chain, and a
slide handle in combination, assuming the gate is still square in the
opening and off the ground. And show judges mark down for pushbutton rides.

Most road barriers around here are either 3/4" wire rope shackled across
between utility poles or steel bars, some up to 4" square designed to stop
cars and chained and locked. We go around them when possible.

As to narrow passages, even backing up is not always a solution. There are
some trails that are 3 feet wide and some that are 12 feet wide. Taking a
big horse down a narrow trail is not always smart, even with push buttons.
No matter how well trained you need to be able to turn around in a few
backward steps.

Irv Lichtenstein


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