Mounted search and rescue

["margie" <margiespencer@verizon.net>]

>From an outsider looking in... Regarding "gates".
Being a SAR responder for 8 years, I can't think of one incident that could
justify or insist a rider remaining mounted to enter or exit a gate.  It
takes just a couple of seconds to dismount, open or close a gate, and mount
up again.  Unless I missing something here.  I would suggest using common
sense.  I would agree in that maneuvering a gate situation while mounted
does represent some good horsemanship skills, however, I see no reason to
potentially endanger both rider and horse while on a mission, when/if the
obvious is to simply get off and get back on.  More importantly, if anything
is mandated it should be the ability of the mount to recognize and take
appropriate action, which may or may not be suggested in team standards.
There should NEVER be an occurrence where the mount while preferring to do
something (whatever it is) a "simple AND Safer" way, feels pressured to do
it (whatever it is) according to standards that mandate a certain way to do
things.    

JMHO   
Ok, back to the shelf for me.
Spencer
 

-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of James Matlock
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 8:22 AM
To: Mounted search and rescue
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Horsemanship

[Deleted included prior posts and HTML duplicate.  -Una]


I don't often get into these MSAR messages, but thought I would give an
opinions re. the gates.

The skill/ ability to open gates while mounted is certainly a good skill
for the horse/rider to have, but why make in mandatory.  Really, how
often is opening the gate while mounted required?  This seems one of
those nice, but not essential, items.  Also there are gates, and there
are gates--two major types.  One almost impossible to open--and close--
while mounted.

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