Mounted search and rescue

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

Give someone the choice of "we can get you out in 4 hours / before dark in
the saddle, or the litter carry team can be here to start a carry-out in the
morning" and the person may well choose the saddle. However, some non-riders
simply aren't good candidates for transporting in the saddle ... which is
part of the training. 

But keep in perspective it might be a rider you're transporting - perhaps a
member of your own team or group of trail / backcountry riders. This method
is very useful for rider self-help and a lot less complicated when the
person being transported is already comfortable in the saddle. ;-)

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


-----Original Message-----
From: Una Smith
[...]
This is pretty much abandoned technology, and there are good reasons
why it has been abandoned.  Suitable use is limited.

Sure, you can put almost anybody on a good horse and lead them around 
for a few minutes.  I have been with an able-bodied novice rider who
got a 4 hour ride down a mountain on a dude string horse in rain.  She
and I rode;  the rest of the group walked.   The riding was a great
treat for me, but the other rider declared it terrifying and painful
and Never Again NO WAY.

So here's the deal, E.  You try doing it with a nonrider who is not 
in great shape on a bad trail for 4 or more hours.  If you do that
and tell me in detail how it goes, and you still want to train for
this, *then* I will get you personal copies of training materials I
can obtain.  

        Una Smith
        New Mexico