Mounted search and rescue

[zaca1@aol.com]

Your comments could not be more on the mark.  Well said. 


-----Original Message-----
From: IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN <ilichten1@verizon.net>
To: 'Mounted search and rescue' <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Thu, 14 May 2009 5:18 am
Subject: Re: [MSAR] effectiveness

It is the effectiveness of the horse and rider as a pair that counts. I have
always ridden big horses because I am 6-2 and close to 300 pounds with tack.
I ride cold bloods because nobody wants to be in a crowd with a 1700 pound
hot blood, except maybe on a racetrack.

When we first showed up to do safety on a 50 mile race all the Arab riders
said he wouldn't last a mile, even at drag.  He worked his 15 mile section,
stood tied for hours, and had no trouble with hydration, recovery, or body
temp as about a third of the Arabs did between the same vet checks. There
was actually some concern because he showed no reaction to the work out.
During one stretch he did clip a shoe off at the canter.

As to ducking branches, we often go around trees that others try to go under
but the deer around here eat anything under 6 feet or so. The other factor
is where you get hit.  Most branches are body height on him where a shorter
horse and rider would get hit in the head, and probably injur
ed, helmet or
not.

What is interesting is that a few decades ago the dog people went through
the my dog is the only dog phase. ARDA was exclusively shepards. Anybody see
any other dog breeds working search lately? Most dogs were bred to hunt, and
the can.

The only question that needs to be answered is: Does this horse and rider
pair work in your organization?  The best rider and horse is of no use to
you if they are disruptive in the group, and not just riding.  The other
qualification is can anybody hold the mount or is it so bound to its rider
that nobody else can handle it?

Irv Lichtenstein

-----Original Message-----
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
[mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of David leadbetter
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2009 12:05 AM
To: Mounted search and rescue
Subject: Re: [MSAR] gaited?

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