To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [MSAR] Safety in MSAR / Training mares not to kick
Date: Tue, 15 Mar 2005 22:43:58 -0800
From: "JULIE FRANCO" <snowyridgeranch@yahoo.com>
We are all responsible for our own horses and if they have a hole in their
training it is up to us to do our best to correct it and always be careful
around and defensive of others horses! Julie Franco
I agree that this is an important skill related to safety in MSAR. Not just
being responsible, but having the skills to control the horse to prevent an
incident from escalating to a much more dangerous situation that might
involve many others. The incident described could have been much worse if
there weren't experienced riders promptly taking control of their horses
when something unexpected occurred. That prompt response minimized the
potential for injury to others.
A SAR can also increase stress on the horse, if only reacting to stress
transmitted by the rider, increasing the potential for that horse to act in
an unsafe manner because the horse may perceive a threat and react like the
prey animal it is. The poorly controlled actions of a 1000 pound animal on a
SAR could easily endanger the rider's life or the safety of others.
This is why I believe it is so important to test not only the disposition of
the horse but also test the specific skills of the rider needed to control
that horse before that combination ever goes into the field on a SAR. A
safety issue not just for the individual and the team, but also for anyone
who happens to be around.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jorene Downs
Tulare SAR - Hasty Team ICP Team
www.ceoates.com/sar
Tulare-Kings CERT
www.tk-cert.org