For Training and Search Purposes
Standards for Horses:
(Safety and Control are always our primary concern at all times.)
- Any horse that kicks, bites, rears, or bucks is not allowed to help in search and rescue work.
- Horse should be able to pass the physical criteria as deemed appropriate by the Training Instructor and TES Officers.
- Must have an up to date negative coggins at all times.
Regulations for Mounted Search and Rescue Information
- The horse must be able to walk, trot, canter (lope) and stop and stand under control from either direction in the arena
- The horse should stand quietly while tied or being held, mounted or dismounted from either side.
- The horse should be able to pony another horse and be ponied as well.
- The horse should allow the rider to hold at least two other horses while mounted and stand calmly.
- The horse should allow the rider to put on a slicker in calm or windy weather and open a map while mounted.
- The horse should be able to negotiate obstacles in an arena that demonstrated the riders control, such as: drag an object using a rope, back readily into an “L”, side pass, walk over a large plastic tarp, open a gate from horseback.
- The horse should accept motorcycles, bicycles, backpackers, baby strollers, tents, gunfire, helicopters, chain saws and sirens while in control.
- The horse should be able to be loaded into both step-up and ramp trailers.
- On the trail, the horse should be under the rider’s control while riding at a variety of gaits. The horse should also: be able to leave a group of horses at a specified gait and return under control, be able to be controlled while the other horses move away, allow other horses to move ahead at a more rapid rate of speed and remain in control of rider. The horses should be able to negotiate a bridge and water alone or with other horses present.
- The horses should be able to climb and descend a steep grade at a walk.
- The rider should be able to lead the horse by hand over rough terrain easily without the horse pulling back, pulling ahead or bumping into the rider.
- The horse should be able to negotiate thick brush calmly.
- The horse should be able to carry 20-30 pound saddle packs of SAR equipment.
- The horse should be able to pack a 200 pound person.
Standards for the Rider
- Must be eighteen (18) years of age.
- Must exhibit a positive attitude at all times.
- Must demonstrate proficient horsemanship and trail etiquette.
- Must take classes in, and show completion of Search and Rescue techniques, map reading skills, etc., as specified by the Training Instructor and the TES Officers.