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Discussion on Mounted Search and Rescue
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 5, 2005 - 4:02 pm:
Hello All! Long time since I have logged on, but my horses have been A-OK! That is a good feeling. Anyhow, was wondering if anyone could guide me in the right direction for information on forming a mounted search and rescue unit. I am working with our FEMA director in forming a SAR team, and have volunteered to get information on forming the equine division. Although I am not sure any of my horses would pass the test, I have notified a few people who would be great, and are interested. I need a list of equipment and numbers, and testing material for the next meeting on OCT 11th, so anyone that knows anything, I sure could use the help. WE are pretty much flat landers here in Iowa, but there are some hills in the western section that we could be deployed to. Any web sites, etc. thanks
sue
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Wednesday, Oct 5, 2005 - 9:30 pm:
Susan,
I don't have specific information, but here is a link to MSAR units around the world. Maybe you can find what your looking for there.
https://www.ibiblio.org/msar/units/index.html
I had looked into joining a unit once but at the time I was active duty Air Force and didn't really have the time to commit. I'm retired now, so thanks for prodding my old brain, I'll have to go find a unit. I did see the Kern county requirements once and the horses have to be really solid. I remember they required the horse to stay under control beside a chainsaw and road flares, to mention a few.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 6, 2005 - 10:24 am:
Thanks Alden, I was able to acquire a copy of the tests that the horses must pass. Some are more restrictive than others. I do know that I do not have a horse that would pass all of the tests. It sounds like an intense program, learning lots of new things for humans as well as horses, so I am excited about a new adventure.
I am curious as to what part of Colorado you live in. The pictures are great. We went to Ft. Collins and fell in love with the area. However, it is soooooooo expensive to live in the mountains, and very restrictive with water usage.
I have put relocating there on my dream list.
thanks
sue
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 6, 2005 - 1:18 pm:
Sue,
We live in Western Colorado near Hotchkiss, thats on Hwy 92 about 22 miles East of Delta. I include the direction because Hotchkiss is very small (I don't know the population, but there are no traffic signals in town).
We relocated here last summer, my wife works at the new Walmart in Delta. There is still water in this part of Colorado, so much so everyone floods their pastures, and the property prices are on the rise but still reasonable. We bought 18 acres, mostly dry land with a little water, and a three beDrOom log home, for a shade under $200K.
The riding is great with several National Forests and wilderness areas within an hour drive and we're about a 15 minute horseback ride to BLM access. In fact I'm heading out tomorrow to help pack-in and setup an Elk camp; I'll post some pictures.
We have lots of deer here also, the picture below might be too small but there are mule deer just in front of the horses in the background.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
Cpacer
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 6, 2005 - 3:40 pm:
Alden, what an awesome set-up! You may end up with a bunch of HA neighbors after this post.
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 6, 2005 - 11:00 pm:
Hey Alden, my husband, the snowmobiler saw the snow and is already packing. I lived in Arizona in the mountains, and grew up in the Pennsylvania mountains, so I miss the mountains. Will have to keep looking, do they need a dog trainer in Delta??????
Suz
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 9:00 am:
Susan,
There are a lot of cattle and sheep dogs used here. The ranch we are hunting off of is worked by one man, a horse, and about six aussie shepherds (at least I think thats the breed). This isn't a little operation either, he has about 400 pairs of cows on something like 5000 acres. The dogs really make it possible and they love the job!
Here we are crossing the ranch packing in the upper camp up to the Nation Forest site.
Good day,
Alden
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 3:11 pm:
Looks like a great trip. I did a research paper in college about predation control using dogs, instead of poisons. Dogs were used to protect the herds long ago, and are still the best choice as far as I am concerned.
Enjoy
suz
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 5:43 pm:
Love the pictures Alden! Thanks for posting. The area looks a lot like some of our mountain areas around here in SW Utah. Did you get much snow out of this last early storm?
Susan - they use Great Pyrenees (sp?) dogs here to guard the sheep. They are about the size of a Great Dane with long, white hair. They buy them as puppies and the pups live with the sheep their entire lives. They are wonderful dogs; extremely protective of their herd. Some people use Llamas and donkeys, also; but the dogs are preferred by most. Sheep dogs, like Austrailian Sheep dogs are used to herd the sheep from place to place. They are extremely intelligent and wonderful to watch work.
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 9:49 pm:
Hey Sara, They also use Kommodors(sp), have you ever seen one of these dogs? They actually look like a sheep, with corded fur. I was active in the wolf re-introduction program when I was in Arizona. The llamas are interesting, I wonder how well it works out. I have an aussie/border collie mix who herds everything from cats, balls and people. She is a bit annoying to most people, because she doesn't have a job. A great agility dog though.
suz
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 10:45 pm:
I HAVE seen the Kommodors! They are amazing dogs! I understand the llamas work out good as far as protection goes. They are real "watch dogs" and kick like the dickens. I think the burros that the Bask herders use are even better.
Alden, every time I look at your photos I'm "homesick" for riding in the mtns.! Wish I was riding with you!}
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, Oct 10, 2005 - 10:48 pm:
Susan-this doesn't belong on this thread, but if you'd email me your address, I'd love to hear more about your work with the wolves.
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