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Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions

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  • From: Richard Lynch <cavalrycpt@hailstorm.org>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions
  • Date: Sat, 25 May 2013 19:45:51 -0400

Thank you for calling me ignorant.  As I recall someone asked for our opinions.  I gave mine and since I'm in charge of our mounted search unit, we will have no side saddle riders….period.   We only respond when called by NH Fish & Game who have one of their officers check each and every volunteer that offers to participate to see if they are fit and capable.  If not, they do not participate.  That is not my decision, that is the decision of a state officer.  When people have searched all day and 1/2 the night, are cold and hungry, they do not want to start another effort to bring someone out of the woods that has suffered some sort of malady.

You can do what ever you darn well please in your organization.  I have this funny feeling that you are a glorified trail rider masquerading as a search and rescue person.   Apparently you are some sort of free-lance outfit that reports to no one….very dangerous.  If you accept people that are 1/2 paralyzed you are endangering a person and may be held responsible.

We also have rules for the types of horses used.  So there!  

We have a whole bunch more regulations also. 

Dick


On May 25, 2013, at 5:06 PM, irvin lichtenstein wrote:

It is what the rider can do that counts.  Whether you use your horse as a search partner or merely transportation the idea is t use the experience and training of a searcher for the search’s optimal conclusion.  I know several riders who cannot walk miles  through the woods as ground pounders but can track from horseback better than any one else, especially fitness nuts who have little or no experience and won’t admit they have some things to learn.
As of October I will have over 40 years volunteer service fighting fires.  It has taken its toll and I plan on retiring from routine calls in January.  It does not mean that I cannot handle plans or ops, or teach in a classroom environment.  As long as the volunteer can carry out the assignment safely and without extraordinary accommodation they can go out with us, even if all they do is make sure the newbies are safe.
 
We can accommodate almost any skill or capability level in the field.  It is up to the plans or ops section chief to ensure that the proper resources are assigned to tasks that must be done so that searcher is safe, efficient, and possibly successful in locating the subject.  If you think you are a competent searcher and cannot accommodate a rider who prefers a different style or equipment you are still ignorant of the basic principles of volunteer emergency service.
 
Irv Lichtenstein
 
 
From: msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Richard Lynch
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2013 5:49 AM
To: Mounted search and rescue
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions
 
It is not what the rider prefers, it is what is appropriate for SAR. The real question is: are you performing SAR or out for a glorified trail ride?   Jackie Kennedy was dignified and rode astride!!  If someone is injured to the extent that they can only ride side-saddle, they have no business in the field where a life may hang in the balance.  If you want to wear a dress and top hat and look like a Victorian Lady, fine but, it has no place in SAR.  Aren't there more important things to discuss?  
 
I have a feeling the American Side Saddle Association is a little biased.
 
With that said, I personally think that it certainly has its place among the various styles of riding, just not in SAR.  
 
Dick
 
 
 
On May 24, 2013, at 5:04 PM, irvin lichtenstein wrote:


There should be no difference for a rider who prefers sidesaddle either because of training and culture or because of injury (to the hips or pelvis would be first thought) precluding the astride position.  Females have ridden side saddle for centuries and have ridden to hunt and stadium jump. I have met several ladies who consider it undignified  to ride astride as they took 4-5 foot fences.
The basic question is whether they can stay mounted, dismount and remount in the field.  Ill fitting tack ruins everybody’s day.
Irv Lichtenstein

pennbo@verizon.net wrote:

Interesting. Can someone help explain what type of injury would make riding astride uncomfortable but would still allow side-saddle riding and the amount of hiking, climbing, lifting, etc we are sometimes called upon to do? I'm not being critical nor am I being facetious. Print is hard. I am truly curious as every year when we update our standards and requirements I like to have a broad mind that will include many possibilities. However if I submit an idea without the necessary facts to back it up it's an exercise in futility!

Thanks,
Chris 
 
 
On 05/23/13, T'mi Finkle<tfinkle@erols.com> wrote:
 
 
Thanks J- I am wondering if anyone will address, the age of most side saddles, could the lack of  mounting and dismounting be an issue on the off-side and how a poor fitting saddle will injure a horse's back
deployment
.
 
T'mi
 

Subject: Re: [MSAR] Side Saddle Questions

Humm, that's a good question T'mi'.  Something to think about.  It will be interesting to read any responses.

J.

Sent from my HTC smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!

----- Reply message -----
Date: Thu, May 23, 2013 17:11

 
Does any MSAR Team approve the use of a Side-Saddle for MSAR training, and/or missions?  If so, does anyone have any safety concerns using a side-saddle for MSAR personnel?
 
T'mi
 

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