Mounted search and rescue

["IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN" <ilichten1@verizon.net>]

It also depends on what the MSAR unit is doing-- using a horse for transport
or as a search partner. The need for speed (cantoring and galloping)on the
search part of the mission is rare, although it may be needed for the rescue
portion of the assignment. 

>From a management perspective you need a task team of 3 or so that can ride
together, move comfortably at a walk or fast walk for the task duration,
handle the terrain, and bring your people home safely. The task leader is
going to set the pace. Most of the time a decent trail horse will adjust to
its companions.  In the case of a long stride horse with shorter stride
horses they may even stop when they bunch up and wait for the group to
spread out again, playing rear guard for the "herd", or they want to be out
front, setting a faster coverage rate. 

Trust your mount.  I was on my Percheron one day with a young Appaloosa that
was being trained to behave on the trail. When the App was perceived as
misbehaving his rider circled him.  The first time we were alongside the
Percheron held relative position as he was supposed to. The second time he
cut the circle, and the third time he just stood there and waited for the
App to finish.  The rest of the day he took one stride to the App's 2.  

How smooth the ride is partly breeding, training, and a lot conformation. I
have had a horse that trotted beautifully, but nobody could ride him at a
trot because his legs moved fine, but they were the wrong lengths for his
body. Or the transitions may be rough. A big horse may need assistance going
forward during a gait change.  And lastly, your mount may signal you that he
wants to change gaits because some other gait may be easier on him than
where you have him.  Can he walk as fast as a slow trot? Or cantor as slow
as a fast trot? Which is easier on that particular horse and terrain?

The best to find out is to go out and ride with your team. Try various gaits
and combinations of riders and mounts during training and exercises.

Irv Lichtenstein