Mounted search and rescue

[Una Smith <una.smith@att.net>]

Great discussion.  It has given me some new ideas about what elements
to write into MSAR mock search scenarios and draft pre-plans for real
missions under various conditions.

Rather than a blanket unit requirement for horses to wear shoes, a
more sensible approach would be to determine *for each mission* if
shoes are a pro, a con, or a no-go.  And it may be helpful for unit
officers to be mindful of which horses wear shoes and which don't,
on an ongoing basis.  In records of training rides, note the horses'
hooves and evaluate the performance of their footwear (or barefoot
state).  When debriefing the riders, ask them about footwear, their
own and their horse's.

        Una