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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Horsemanship

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>
  • To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Horsemanship
  • Date: Sun, 13 Aug 2006 23:29:59 -0700

From: "LAURI STRUVE" <lstruve@msn.com>
I think successfully passing through a gate is important for training, so we may never have a gate that can be navigated from the saddle on a search, the ability to do so demonstrates some key skills: a good WHOA, sidepassing both directions (that lateral movement) and backing, as well as being pushed or followed by the gate, which can be quite upsetting for some horses. <

Yep. Demonstrating the ability to open, pass through and close a gate is simply demonstrating rider control for movement in a limited area that includes whoa, stand quietly, moving sideways and at an angle, basic pivots, etc. It doesn't matter if you expect / don't expect to open gates in the field. The rider control of the mount to navigate slowly through an obstacle - perhaps one step at a time, in any direction - can be useful in any environment.

If someone hasn't trained for this kind of basic control, attempting it for the first time in the field during a SAR isn't appropriate because the lack of that control may not be safe in that environment. The basics of lateral control also help the rider retain / regain control of a mount suddenly shying sideways.

Lateral control also means the mounted searcher has the ability to leg the horse over a bit to keep the horse's feet off the possible shoe prints or other potential clues. Being able to reverse in a tighter space is advantageous because you can't guarantee that every single mission - including mutual aid - will put you conveniently on a wide trail where there is plenty of room to turn around if needed.

This is all part of being a Mounted SAR professional instead of a generic rider out looking around for a missing person. Rider control is a key safety issue since MSAR is expected to perform safely in more challenging environments. These are not difficult skills - if they were, all those 4-H kids wouldn't be able to accomplish them. These are part of the basic horsemanship skills for trail to increase control, maneuverability and safety. I'd hope anyone in MSAR would be a least as competent as a 4-H rider.

The "button" doesn't need to be show arena precise, but the rider does need to know how to ask for X with at least basic competence, and the horse needs to understand the request and respond. ;)

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Jorene Downs
www.ceoates.com/msar






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