Mounted search and rescue

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

While having some kind of guideline sure helps, I hope MSAR units in different parts of the country take into consideration their own common weather. The horses live in that weather and are better adapted to it. The riders are also more adapted to that weather. That can make a huge difference.

 

For example, years ago we had a 3-day search down in the main valley for a toddler in extreme heat. The hottest day was 118F. (Not a typo.) Extreme heat had been going on for a couple of weeks. Blacktop was so soft at the ICP I left footprints when I walked on it, then it smoothed out behind me moments later. We had resources of all types there. MSAR was out searching from the saddle all morning, sent home at noon to avoid the more extreme afternoon heat. Water was transported regularly to horses and riders in the field. No riders reported any heat-related issues with their horses, and no riders had heat-related health problems.

 

The key was that those horses and riders were all accustomed to that heat, and many had even been out pleasure riding or moving livestock recently in similar pre-noon temps, which was probably closer to 115F maximum. They were accustomed to riding and even working in the heat in that terrain.

 

Other precautions included all of our riders were already accustomed to the regular addition of electrolytes for their mounts, but we made a point of reminding them at every call-out. We had an ambulance staged at the ICP. I also had on hand the emergency contact information for every vet / mobile large animal vet in the county as part of my ICP go bag.

 

If locally we applied 98F as a "cancel" temperature, the vast majority of the summer there would be no training or response. In effect, no MSAR during the most active part of the local SAR season. So I suggest adjusting any temperature-related criteria to consider what local horses and riders are accustomed to, then take common sense precautions by limiting field time and adjusting the time frame to reduce heat stress potential, ensure there is ample water readily available in the field even if you need to haul it to them, and include electrolytes as part of the MSAR routine. Adapt if heading into steeper terrain or higher elevation that might take a faster toll on the horses.

 

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Jorene Downs

SAR, CERT, Emergency Communications

Mounted SAR

http://www.ceoates.com/msar

KJ6JCD