Mounted search and rescue

["Jeff Knight" <kkls@bellsouth.net>]

I was curious to know if a drone was perceived differently from other scary objects.  A police horse in England was possibly spooked by a drone and fatally injured himself. (http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/10/police-hunt-owner-of-drone-that-caused-death-of-police-horse-5491847/)   One would think that a police horse would be desensitized to most things and would adapt readily to a new threat.  My neighbor buzzed my pasture with his new drone last month.  My SAR horse turned and challenged it but my other one quickly left.  The story made me wonder if a drone encounter is something we should specifically work on with our horses.

Jeff

 

From: MSAR-Riders [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Laurie Hanahan
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 9:58 AM
To: 'Mounted search and rescue' <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Drone desensitizing

 

My first MSAR horse didn’t care about helicopters above or on the ground, became concerned only when they were at the point just above her head.  My current MSAR horse could care less wherever they are.  But since every horse reacts differently every day, it’s a good idea to desensitize to any situation you can.

 

I would think basic desensitization starting with objects around their body and above their head, twirling ropes, flags, balloons, etc.  Then move on to balsa wood airplanes (buy lots, they’re cheap and break easily), kites, etc.  Find an R/C club or drone club and ask to hang around wherever they are flying, usually a small private airfield or meadow.  Keep a safe distance, R/C planes and drones are known to have a mind of their own and can cause injury.  Work the horses as the planes fly, so they have something to think about besides the scary objects.

 

My husband flies his small drone over and around my pasture on a regular basis, so I have in-house training.  J

 

Good luck and good thinking to stay safe!

 

Laurie

 

 

Laurie Hanahan

TrotSAR Mounted Search & Rescue Team, Inc.

www.trotsar.org

 

 

From: MSAR-Riders [mailto:msar-riders-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Knight
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2015 8:16 AM
To: msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [MSAR] Drone desensitizing

 

Good morning,

 

Either by way of law enforcement or recreational use, our horses will inevitably come in contact with drones.  There have already been some sad stories circulating about these encounters.  Has anyone devised a good process to desensitize horses to drones?

 

Jeff Knight

North Georgia MSAR