Mounted search and rescue

["Jorene Downs" <Jorene@CEOates.com>]

I'd rather see Irv's example horse cross the bridge calmly during training
to reduce potential for delays during an actual search. ;-)

Also don't forget some horses are raised in flatter terrain and never
experienced notably steeper or uneven footing. Or, has never done so with a
rider and other weight on his back. There are also many horses unaccustomed
to leaving the trail, where safe footing isn't likely to be as reliable.
This same horse may be prone to misjudging footing or even stumbling the
first few trips into the mountains or in other challenging terrain. The
rider of that horse will have more confidence in the horse's ability to pick
the path safely after experiencing that reliability during training rides. 

A key reason for training - including expanding knowledge as a mounted
searcher (not just a rider searching), physically riding and improving those
skills, etc. - is so MSAR riders and their horses show up ready to go to
work like trained professionals. Otherwise management might as well call out
the local trail riders and simply hope the number of errors as untrained
searchers is limited. ;-/

- - - - - -
Jorene Downs
SAR & CERT
Mounted SAR
www.ceoates.com/msar


-----Original Message-----
From: IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN

As I have said many times it is a matter of trust and parnership.  If you
ride tense your horse is tense.  If you can ride relaxed and trust your
mount you will succeed.  It is a rapor that must be built over time but not
necessarily over rough terrain.  There is always a first time for
everything.  The easiest way to get through is to get through.  Be confident
and you will, just be ready for the unexpected.  Example: There is a covered
bridge in the park. It is white oak, dark inside, and has echoes, rumbles,
and bicycles on it.  First time trhough a horse wanted to go anywhere else,
but the rider gently took up the reins and the horse backed up.  He backed
all the way across until he was staring at the other end of the bridge.  He
next went across the bridge forward without a discussion. He trusted his
rider enough to get through it, realized that the task was doable, and then
he did it himself.  

Irv Lichtenstein