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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] Airscent training

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Subject: Mounted search and rescue

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  • From: Shirley Cox <shirley1950@bellsouth.net>
  • To: Mounted search and rescue <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] Airscent training
  • Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 16:32:48 -0400

We just had our first Air Scent Detection clinic with Terry Nowacki. From
what I learned from our first time clinic, the horse already knows what he us
doing. The rider doesn't understand what the signals are. They really do
follow the scent! But....that have to know when you are willing to give them
the lead. We spend so much time on being the leader, that for instance , my
horse was at first hesitant to follow the scent. After he realized when he
picked up the scent, he controlled the direction, but I still controlled the
speed, it was easier for him to concentrate on his job. Almost like the
pushing passenger game.

I would suggest anyone interested in learning this technique, try to get
enough people together 8-10 horse and riders, and have Terry teach you the
basics. He also outlines the differences in scenting between the horse and
the dog. Auditors learn just as much, maybe more because they see every
horse, their reactions and their tracking.

Well worth the money spent if you want to really understand airscentinghorse .



Sent from my iPad

On Jun 27, 2013, at 12:21 PM, Una Smith <una.smith@att.net> wrote:

> Off list, I have had a question about how to learn airscent training.
>
> My best answer is to connect with any SAR canine teams in your area,
> and start training with them. To start, leave the horse at home and
> be a search subject for the dogs. I guarantee you will learn a lot.
>
> One thing I have learned from the dog teams is to attend carefully
> to each animal's individual preference in reward. Some dogs have
> a very high prey drive; they love toys. Some are people oriented
> really enjoy petting and praise and play with the training search
> subject or their handler. Some are motivated most by food treats
> or by being given a rest. Terry Nowaki has said horses are best
> motivated by being given food or a rest, eg the rider dismounting,
> but I don't find this to be true in all cases. Some horses really
> enjoy the hunt.
>
> If you train with a horse and a search subject who has food treats,
> be sure your subject is someone who will not permit pushy behavior
> by the horse.
>
> Una Smith
> New Mexico
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