For Training and Search Purposes

Standards for Horses:

(Safety and Control are always our primary concern at all times.)

  1. Any horse that kicks, bites, rears, or bucks is not allowed to help in search and rescue work.
  2. Horse should be able to pass the physical criteria as deemed appropriate by the Training Instructor and TES Officers.
  3. Must have an up to date negative coggins at all times.

Regulations for Mounted Search and Rescue Information

  1. The horse must be able to walk, trot, canter (lope) and stop and stand under control from either direction in the arena
  2. The horse should stand quietly while tied or being held, mounted or dismounted from either side.
  3. The horse should be able to pony another horse and be ponied as well.
  4. The horse should allow the rider to hold at least two other horses while mounted and stand calmly.
  5. The horse should allow the rider to put on a slicker in calm or windy weather and open a map while mounted.
  6. 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.
  7. The horse should accept motorcycles, bicycles, backpackers, baby strollers, tents, gunfire, helicopters, chain saws and sirens while in control.
  8. The horse should be able to be loaded into both step-up and ramp trailers.
  9. 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.
  10. The horses should be able to climb and descend a steep grade at a walk.
  11. 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.
  12. The horse should be able to negotiate thick brush calmly.
  13. The horse should be able to carry 20-30 pound saddle packs of SAR equipment.
  14. The horse should be able to pack a 200 pound person.

Standards for the Rider

  1. Must be eighteen (18) years of age.
  2. Must exhibit a positive attitude at all times.
  3. Must demonstrate proficient horsemanship and trail etiquette.
  4. 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.