Mounted search and rescue

["Laurie Hanahan" <lhanahan@mindspring.com>]

Whether your horse stays or goes depends on the variables of the incident that causes you to leave the saddle.  A simple lean over too far and slip off (a/k/a blonde moment), my horse stays in place.  Black bear encounter, she left.  Fear and natural instincts overcame the usual thinking of this horse.

 

In general, I agree w/let the horse do the thinking and that they are in many instances smarter and more capable, especially in negotiating the best route or finding the lost route on a trail.  I have a sign in my trailer that says when in doubt, let your horse do the thinking.  However in the end, no matter how much trust building, natural training, etc. you have done (my SAR horse and I have trained w/Parelli and other similar methods extensively for over 6 years), the bottom line is a horse will in the end always be a horse.   You need to be prepared for the unanticipated.  Personally I hate carrying a lot of items on my body – if you do end up on the ground, you can be seriously injured by what you carry – punctures, broken ribs, etc.  That is a risk, but the risk of being left w/o basic essentials takes priority.   

 

I’m finding so many great ideas/information on this list and the variety of opinions keeps it interesting! 

 

Laurie Hanahan

TROTSAR

 

 

 

From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:56
To: Jorene@CEOates.com; 'Mounted search and rescue'
Subject: Re: [MSAR] walking home?

 

Maybe it is your horse.  Like they say there are two kinds of riders, those that have been throwed and those that will be.  I have been separated from my ride a few

times but neither ran home and left me stranded.  Generally they went less than a quarter mile, came back when called by name.  Part of the trust you build with your mount is that he doesn’t want to leave you alone.  And he does know when I am sick or injured and acts differently.  We went unexpectedly into a creek from the bank one day and when we got out he very carefully took me home on verbal command, using a route that avoided trail obstacles, steep grades, etc. Not the usual direct run home, but a walk trot without stopping to graze at the usual spots or being distracted by others in the park.  I have seen otherwise docile trail horses run miles after dumping a rider, so it is you and your horse relationship that make the difference.

 

Let the horse do the thinking—he is sometimes smarter.

Irv Lichtenstein

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From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jorene Downs
Sent: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 12:30 AM
To: 'Mounted search and rescue'
Subject: Re: [MSAR] First Aid Gear-splints, etc.--skipole