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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] MSAR training Turning in a Confined Space

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: "T'mi Fi" <tfinkle@erols.com>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] MSAR training Turning in a Confined Space
  • Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:01:28 -0400

I believe that specific standards and testing guidelines for "Turning in a Confined Space" should be left to the end user entity. Over the past few years I have seen too many MSAR professional attempt to force testing and performance guidelines or procedures that are practiced or tested within their region, with the mindset that ALL MSAR personal everywhere should perform skills in the exact same manner as they do. In theory this would be the perfect unified solution, however for real world application this kind of forced detailed standardization is nothing more than a long walk on a short pier.
If the specific (skill) test objective is to "Turn in a Confined Space," then from a (national prospective) we know that a rider , regardless of where there are from, must be have the ability to turn the mount in a controlled confined space test area. With this particular testing item all that is required is to; define the minimum circumference of the testing area that the horse and rider will enter, turn and then exit, and try to not define the turning methodology. How the skill is performed should strictly be the decision for end user entity to implement. If a testing entity wants to use the AQHA trail standards, 4-H, or US Pony Club standards a reference then that is their right. National standards must be generic and accommodate ALL MSAR Teams from of ALL parts of the Country.
If a national testing object is to insure a mount can turn in a confined space, then define the circumference or parameters of the testing space that is to be entered and then allow the end user to set their own specific and detailed testing procedures. In other words, define an abstract performance objective and leave it to each user entity to prescribe how to meet the performance objective. A national standard can simply state; A rider shall have the ability to enter a confined space radius area that is a minimum of six feet wide, turn the mount 360 degrees and then exit from the point of entry. A local standard can include; enter a confined space radius area that is a minimum of six feet wide, turn the mount 360 degrees, turning both left and then right, while doing the hokie-pokie then exit.
If we really want to become detailed oriented, then another path we could implement is to make it mandatory that all MSAR Mounts be a Quarter Horse gelding that is 15.2 hands tall, which must be ridden with a leather (western) roper saddle with matching leather saddlebags. Most of us have seen this type of forced implementation attempted in written historical MSAR documentation. Many of the personnel on my team ride with english tack and a few years ago while our team presented an MSAR Camp at a national SAR conference, an MSAR rider from another region of the Country told many of our team members that english tack was not acceptable for SAR work because a horse could not be ground tied and then went on to say that western tack should be used. Please know that we did not make our team members go out and buy new tack.
Tomi`
TROT-SAR Mounted Team


Una Smith wrote:

Should a standard re turning around in a confined space
specify exactly how confined the space should be? Or should
the specifics be left to the user of the standard?
Note this assumes (requires that) the user will create a
formal requirements document, with whatever specifications
the user requires. The user's document would be compared
to the ASTM standard to determine if it meets the standard.





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