Mounted search and rescue

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

I agree that most pack animals aren’t necessarily suitable for transporting a passenger. Training focuses on using the experienced saddled horse (or mule) that is the calmest and quietest available. Also, if you are leading a passenger in the saddle from the saddle, make a point of riding a slower moving animal to reduce potential for the animal you are leading / ponying to need to play catch-up. And if the only trail out has known obstacles or terrain that require some scrambling, transporting in the saddle is not a good option. But if other options aren’t available and you’re transporting in the saddle, common sense suggests using another method (not in the saddle) to get that person through the obstacle area if there are concerns that person won’t do well on a scrambling mount.

 

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Jorene Downs

SAR & CERT

Mounted SAR

www.ceoates.com/msar

 

 

From: John-Faye Neff

 

As a person who does a lot of back country packing I can safely say that the horse (or mule) used to transport an injured subject needs to very well trained.  Most pack animals will know their sides and how to get around obstacles while packed.  BUT that getting around or over obstacles may not be the best for an injured person.  Very few animals are used to being led on foot and will create problems if they have not had recent experience in doing so.  When being led  from horseback most pack animals will occasionally trot to keep up. Again not the best.  Perhaps a goal for a horse being used to transport an injured person would be the dead broke dude horse that just follows the tail in front and can't be made to break out of the slow plodding walk.  I am willing to admit that I wouldn't have such an animal in my string, but it would be wonderful to have one in an emergency.

I agree with Una, how often will you be called upon to do this?  Are you willing to practice and train monthly for something that may occur rarely.  I find that even my experienced pack animals need a day to remember how to handle the trail, even a trail that they have been on before.  The first day on the trail always offers at least one interesting challenge. LOL

Faye