Mounted search and rescue

[Laurie Hanahan <lhanahan@mindspring.com>]

Jeff -

I firmly believe that any desensitization training is not a waste of time or 
effort.  Whatever we do to keep ourselves, our mounts and others around us 
safe is important training. 

Laurie

On Dec 16, 2015 10:07 AM, Jeff Knight <kkls@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
> 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