Mounted search and rescue

["Joseph C. Huston" <jchuston@earthlink.net>]

One of the SAR teams I am on has a command structure where those with experience (mounted and K-9 primarily)  make recommendations to the incident commander where their resources should be deployed. This chain of communication has served this team well over the years.

 

Joseph C. Huston

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From: Paul Fleming

Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 9:26 AM

To: Mounted search and rescue

Subject: Re: [MSAR] Tracking from the saddle, etc

 

Chris,

 

I agree with what you say about the leadership understanding. My comment was pointed at the "SAR trackers" mentioned. When people are so narrow minded about a subject it's usually not worth the time to try to enlighten them. I also fully agree that we must consistently work at spreading the knowledge of our capabilities.

 

Yes, Mantracker is pretty good PR for MSAR even if he is a little short on technique.

 

Paul

 

 

 

 

On Apr 19, 2011, at 10:26 PM, pennbo@verizon.net wrote:

Respectfully, I disagree, Paul. If those who don't ride don't understand the complete capabilities of our units we will be very underused. The vast majority of folks who are responsible for assigning mounted units to particular searches or using them in particular ways within a search are NOT equestrians.  One of the major battles we fight is spreading the knowledge of what we CAN do while mounted. :-)

However I wouldn't refer anyone to watch mantracker as an example of tracking from horseback! He is a pretty poor tracker at best. He has no real training in any of it. If he didn't have a 'buddy' familiar with the terrain to help him out I daresay his "prey" would win a lot more often! :-)  But he makes for good TV and for the completely uninitiated he might actually convince them we can do...what equestrian teams have been doing for several centuries!! LOL

Chris

 

 

On 04/19/11, Paul Fleming<PFLEMING@NWLINK.COM> wrote:Jorene,

Apparently your scoffers aren't horsemen. We know what can be done and it is really not important they do.

Paul


On Apr 19, 2011, at 1:32 PM, Jorene Downs wrote:

> I've recently had some SAR trackers scoff [again] about the ability of a
> rider to track from the saddle. Yes, you first need to learn tracking from
> the ground. Yes, there are times you must dismount for a closer look, but
> often you can simply continue to ride for quite a distance when not doing
> step-by-step tracking. I've done it, and seen others track successfully from
> the saddle. But apparently that information isn't enough to convince the
> scoffers. It doesn't seem to matter to some that generations of riders have
> successfully tracked cattle, hunted game, pursued fugitives, etc. So I
> recommend turning on the TV and watching a few episodes of Mantracker on the
> Science channel to see for yourself.
>
>
>
> http://science.discovery.com/tv/mantracker/
>
>
>
> This reality TV series is based on a mounted tracker (Canadian cowboy and
> active MSAR, Terry Grant) in varied challenging terrain in primarily North
> America who has a limited time frame to "capture" two volunteer "fugitives"
> who need to elude their pursuer and reach a designated point (location
> unknown to the tracker) before a certain time the next day. The volunteer
> "fugitives" have a map and compass. The Mantracker has a local rider who
> knows the territory assisting him and sharing local terrain knowledge.
> Sometimes 1 or both of the "fugitives" make it to their target destination,
> but often the Mantracker captures them.
>
>
>
> While the Mantracker TV show certainly isn't a SAR incident, there are many
> similarities to MSAR in the knowledge and skills applied. For example:
>
> * Terry Grant will dismount and show the camera what he spotted from
> the saddle, and explain what it is ... such as toe digs and longer strides
> indicating the volunteers are hustling.
>
> * The vast majority of episodes there is reference to the horse
> (ears alert and looking) indicating the possible presence of the fleeing or
> hiding volunteers ... reinforcing "Look where the horse looks" as a huge
> tool for MSAR.
>
> * Commonly the volunteers mention a strategy that includes "a horse
> can't go here" to determine where they will go to remain un-captured ...
> which sometimes is correct, and often - much to their dismay - is incorrect.
> Some of the terrain on horseback in the various Mantracker episodes will
> likely surprise most incident management and even some MSAR riders.
>
> * Mounted trackers (and "fugitives") are out overnight.
>
> * Some of the strategies discussed by the Mantracker can be useful
> in SAR, particularly if the missing subject appears to be intentionally
> eluding the riders/searchers.
>
>
>
> Tracking training often includes a recommendation to stand on a stump or
> boulder to gain a different angle. The saddled horse becomes a mobile stump
> for the rider, and often the best angle is to look further ahead than you
> would if standing on the ground. For non-riders to try to get a feel for the
> height and angle of view to track from the saddle, try standing on a chair
> or sitting on the wall of a pickup truck bed. Look down, then let the eyes
> gradually scan out 20 feet or even notably further, depending on the
> terrain, light, etc. But dismount - as needed - for a closer look.
>
>
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>
> Jorene Downs
>
> SAR, CERT, Emergency Communications
>
> Mounted SAR
>
> http://www.ceoates.com/msar
>
> KJ6JCD
>
>
>
>
>
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