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CASWELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S
MOUNTED HORSE PATROL
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A two year old child playing outside is suddenly gone. A loved grandmother with Alzheimer's disease wanders away. A hiker has gone out hiking and has not returned. The public turns to local government. The family expects an immediate response from trained providers who know how to search. In the past, in actual searches, a field response was a rare event in any county, but recently these type of searches are happening more frequently.
Due to lack of research and reporting mechanisms, it is estimated the search rate is three searches for 100,000 people per year. Search and Rescue incidents are complex events that require extensive training to properly execute. The initial actions and resources of law enforcement/emergency management at the onset of the incident often mean the difference of life and death.
Mission
The Caswell County Sheriff's Mounted Horse Patrol is a voluntary organization and is considered an auxiliary branch of the Caswell County Sheriff's Office. The basic purpose of the Mounted Patrol is to assist the Sheriff's Department when the use of horses is advantageous. As such, the activities are directed by the Caswell County Sheriff. The Patrol members are considered representatives of the department and of the community.
Calls for Service
The Mounted Patrol is activated by request of the Sheriff of Caswell County. This is in response in certain non-threatening situations including, but not limited to, 1) to provide Search and Rescue services with the primary emphasis on the use of horses; 2) to provide and devote time for community services and community outreach to citizens of Caswell County and surrounding areas through camaraderie and goodwill; 3) to use horsemanship as a benefit to others; 4) to represent and assist the Caswell County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management in performing their duties, with the primary emphasis on the use of horses.
The objective in accomplishing the Mounted Patrol's primary mission is the establishment of a well trained, fully equipped Mounted Search and Rescue Unit, capable of serving the public as a qualified resource that assists in locating lost, abducted, or missing persons in Caswell County and surrounding areas, in a timely and efficient manner without endangering the searchers or further hazarding the lost person.
Staffing
The Mounted Patrol is strictly voluntary. Being a volunteer unit, each member owns and is completely responsible for their own horse and transportation. All members and prospective members of the Mounted Patrol must pass a background check by the Sheriff's Office, be an accomplished rider and knowledgeable about the proper care of horses. All members are required to complete the initial certification training to be eligible to respond.
Training
All members are required to complete the initial certification training and then continue to attend three out of four continuing education training courses offered during the year. These trainings are continuous and include: riding certification, conduct care and ethics of Patrol members, basic first aid and CPR, communications and radio usage, GPS, search and rescue techniques, policy - law and legal, procedures - response check in and check out, reporting response activities, evaluating the response, horse first aid, horse sensory training, map and compass usage, preserving a possible crime scene, riding and responding safely, the limits you put on yourself and your horse, and horse health issues - *Coggins required on horses for any activity or response*.
Benefits
Mounted units are a very effective resource for active techniques, in providing many skills depending on the type of search called for. Horses can aid in area confinement, move quickly to cover a large area in a short period of time, assist in transportation of equipment and victims. Mounted units are able to slow search, perform multiple sweeps, hasty search, grid search in fields and open woods, and work cooperatively assisting other Search and Rescue Units.
Advantages of a Mounted Unit
Cover large areas quicker and with less fatigue than foot searchers
Quick transport of articles to front line searchers
Perimeter containment
Rider has higher and larger visual circumference vantage point
Horses are valuable searchers themselves
They do not air scent or track like dogs, but they have a highly developed sense of hearing, smell and eyesight
Keen hearing and awareness of surroundings over great distance
They are instinctively aware of their surroundings and will alert on anything out of the ordinary, especially the presence of another human or animal
They can detect or identify dangers, interest items, and alert items through a variety of body language well in advance of the rider. A good mounted team will investigate anything that attracts the horses' attention.
By using horse and rider teams we are able to gain the following advantages:
High percentage of detection in most terrains, excluding thick brush and swamps
Mounted teams are better able to perform both hasty search and containment due to the fast travel speed without sacrificing clue awareness
Horse/rider combination sometimes less frightening to the lost individual
Safety
The first and foremost thing that the members of the Caswell County Mounted Patrol keep in mind is safety. AT ALL TIMES! Not only the safety of the rider and horse, but the safety of all of those around. Horsemanship skills, actions, language and mannerisms will always be closely watched by the general public. So when in public, members are representing the Caswell County Mounted Patrol and the Caswell County Sheriff's Department.
When called upon to respond, the safety of the responders is priority one. AT ALL TIMES, Patrol members are to be teamed up with another Mounted Patrol member and are never to put themselves or other responders in a dangerous or life threatening situation.
The Search and Rescue (SAR) Horse
As a Caswell County Sheriff's Mounted Horse Patrol member, it is important you have the right horse for SAR. Horses used for SAR work must have a quiet, cooperative disposition, free of vices, and be fit to ride all day. Specifically:
a) No kicking, biting or other dangerous intimidating behavior. This is a safety factor not only for the mounted group members, but also the public and other search groups during searches and training exercises. All team horses must be able to work closely with one another without intimidating body language. The SAR horse must be steady and reliable. In a search situation, the rider must devote his/her attention to the trail and surrounding area in order to locate clues to the victim's passage/location, as well as navigating with map, compass, radio transmissions, etc. The rider has an intense job to do and must have a cooperative, sensible horse that requires minimal direction. A hyper, flighty horse that requires the rider's full attention is not an effective search horse.
b) The SAR horse must tie safely for an indefinite period. In search situations, riders may dismount, tie the horse, and proceed on foot to assist a victim, search an obscure thick area, and possibly tie the horse for an extended period.
c) The SAR horse's reaction to stressful situations is critical. Does he blow up and "lose it"? Or, does he simply snort, blow a little, and eventually accept what is asked of him? The SAR horse must be prepared to correctly deal with the search environment ... which includes: excited people and dogs, flashing lights, flashlights, spot lights, fire trucks/ambulances, sirens, motorcycles, road flares, bicycles, helicopters, umbrellas, bridges, streams and ditches. Some of this stimulus training can be done by the rider individually, while some will be conducted as a group training exercise. The prospective SAR horse's personality and trainability must be carefully considered by the rider and other mounted personnel.
d) Fitness and conditioning are extremely important. Although search work is generally conducted at a walk ... slow and tedious; it may require active search all day or longer in extreme weather conditions. A fit horse will be better able to tolerate adverse conditions for long periods.
e) Safe loading and trailering temperament directly affects the team's response time. The rider needs to confidently load/unload and trailer alone if necessary. Distant locations of mounted members prohibit assisting each other in this task. Abusive loading tactics do not promote a good public image and will not be tolerated.
f) Negative Coggins Test is required for all horses! The SAR horse must be healthy and under a health care program in which vaccinations and regular deworming are up to date and necessary to keep the horse in good condition. A health certificate is required to cross state lines. The SAR horse is exposed to other SAR horses and livestock, and will be grazing where disease and/or sickness could be present, so the vaccinations will help keep a horse healthy when exposed. Regular hoof care is required and must be in good condition to respond.
Saddlebag Supplies
There are things that you should have when you are called to respond. These things should be packed on saddle or in saddlebags for every call. These things should be kept in a place where you can grab and go!
Extra Halter
Extra Lead Rope
Hoof Pick
Knife
Wire Cutters
Rain Slicker
Towel/Bandanna
Lariat (if trained to use)
Blanket
Gloves
Canteen of Water
Flashlight
Insect Repellant
Whistle
Hobbles (optional)
Emergency Response - First Aid Kit - Flare Gun - Radio
Compass
County Map
Basic Horse/Rider Certification Requirements
Caswell County Sheriff's Department
Caswell County Mounted Patrol
Safety
The first and foremost thing members and potential members of the Caswell County Mounted Patrol need to keep in mind is safety. AT ALL TIMES! Not only the safety of you and your horse, but the safety of those around you. Your horsemanship skills, actions, language and mannerisms will always be closely watched by the general public. When in public, do not forget that you are representing the Caswell County Mounted Patrol and the Caswell County Sheriff's Department.
When called upon to respond, the safety of the responders is priority one. AT ALL TIMES YOU WILL be teamed up with another Mounted Patrol member. YOUR BUDDY IS YOUR LIFELINE! You should never put yourself or other responders in a dangerous or life threatening situation.
Search and Rescue Policies and Procedures
PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATION - MOUNTED RIDER
A. PURPOSE - The objectives of the proficiency certification are to:
1) Evaluate equestrian skills and horsemanship required for the safe conduct of SAR and public relations operations
2) Evaluate suitability and training level of the mount to support the SAR mission and related activities without jeopardizing the member or unit or public safety. This training shall be completed in phases. Once the phase training is complete and participants are certified by the Caswell County Sheriff, training will be ongoing to keep participants prepared for response.
B. SCORING
1) All exercises must be successfully completed in order to be certified. If a horse and rider fail three or fewer exercises, they may be conditionally certified pending the passing of the failed exercises. The failed exercises must be retested and successfully completed within six weeks of the certification attempt. (MOUNTING FROM BOTH SIDES IS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATION.)
2) The horse and rider will fail the certification if they fail four or more exercises. The team may test again at the next scheduled basic proficiency certification.
3) When instructor(s) determine a horse and rider need further training outside the scope of the certification in order to complete an exercise for which a time limit has not been specified, the instructor(s) may fail the team on that exercise and direct the team to proceed to the next test point.
C. DISQUALIFICATION
The horse and rider will immediately be disqualified if at any time:
1) The horse is lame, seriously ill, disabled, or seriously injured
2) The rider loses control of the horse
3) The horse starts bucking or kicking
4) The rider shows a lack of adequate balance and control while riding or handling the horse
5) The rider refuses or is unable to follow the certification instructions
D. CERTIFICATION GUIDELINES
1) Prospective members will have attended the required certification proficiency, and other Mounted Patrol meetings/trainings set by the Caswell County Sheriff's Department and will have completed preliminary paperwork prior to being allowed to certify a mount.
2) Certifying horses must be outfitted with a working saddle capable of allowing weighted saddlebags to be fastened and a town rope to be dallied
3) This certification guide will be made available prior to each certification and will be reviewed at the beginning of each certification event
4) For certification of multiple mounts, the following guidelines will apply:
a) Only current, previously certified CCSMHP members will be allowed to certify more than one mount
b) A member must fill out a request form from an instructor(s) /Sheriff for another horse to be certified. This mount must also demonstrate the capabilities and skills required of the horse.
c) A member may request an extension on a horse's certification. The extension will be evaluated and granted at the discretion of the instructor(s) and Sheriff.
5) All exercises are designed to be carried out in a safe manner. In the event that a prop or scenario appears to be unsafe, the riders should bring this to the attention of the instructor(s) and Sheriff.
6.FOR SAFETY REASONS
a) The number of participants will be limited during gunfire and firecracker events, no more than ten horses at a time
b) If at anytime during a Caswell County Mounted Patrol training, exercises, events or actual activation that a member feels that there is an unsafe situation or unsafe conduct which may put anyone at risk of being injured, it should be immediately and directly relayed to the Sheriff/Incident Command Safety Officer/Instructor(s)
c) At all public functions that a member is representing the Caswell County Mounted Patrol (parades, etc.) and conducts himself/herself and mount in an unsafe manner that may put themselves or the general public at risk, or acts with inappropriate conduct, this could be grounds for dismissal from the Caswell County Mounted Patrol
d) All horses are required to have current Coggins at all CCSMHP trainings or activities and follow all laws and regulations
E. PART 1 - CERTIFICATION PROCESS
BASIC PROFICIENCY AND HORSEMANSHIP - LIST OF EXERCISES (1-14)
1) Catch and Restraint
Properly catch horse in arena size pen
Check proper adjustment of halter, bridle and saddle
Safety tie un-mounted horse in the arena, saddled and ready for examination
Objective: Demonstrate ground manners and that horse will tie and stand quietly
2) Lead horse at walk and trot on command
Objective: Ground skills, ability to lead horse with bit, basic trail skill
3) Mount and dismount from both sides of horse while horse is under control (THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION)
Objective: Basic trail skill, flexibility of horse and rider to adapt to different situations
4) On command, stand quiet while mounted for one minute
Objective: Test rider calmness, test horse calmness, basic trail skill
5) Side step or back up horse out of a line to allow others to pass
Objective: Demonstrate maneuverability and control in moving away from a situation and control direction of movement
6) The horse must back in a straight line for ten feet within a four foot channel, within one minute
Objective: Demonstrate ability to back out of a situation and control horse's direction of movement
7) Mounted, walk, trot and canter on command
Objective: Demonstrate basic riding skill, horse and rider communication skill, maneuverability of horse
8) Open, walk through and then close gate, keeping control of gate and horse's movement at all times
Objective: Demonstrate rider's control of both the horse's and gate's positions and rider's balance. Also maneuverability of horse: side passing, horse to turn on front or rear in tight area and fine movements in tight area
9) Cross over an elevated obstacle within three attempts
Objective: Demonstrate horse's willingness to clear a typical obstacle found on the trail
10) Walk over three logs (or similar objects) approximately 32" apart and one 18" step over, (permissible to knock down 18" step over, but horse should not become excitable and frightened)
Objective: Rider and horse's communication skill, horse's reaction to foreign object, basic trail skill
The following items will be completed during a trail ride:
Objective: Demonstrate control and trust while facing many obstacles that may be encountered on a call out
11) Must complete a trail ride with various degrees of terrain and remain with the group
12) One mounted rider at a time shall ride across a stream or river and return without losing control
Objective: Ensure horse/rider team will be able to separate from search group if required and that horse will cross water
13) One mounted rider at a time shall cross over bridge and return, without losing control
Objective: Ensure horse/rider team will be able to separate from search group if required and that horse will cross a bridge
14) Rider will maintain control while horse and rider team will leave the group until out of sight and then return. Rider shall establish a walk, trot and lope during this exercise. If lack of terrain or vegetation prevents rider from traveling out of sight, ride at least 100 yards away from group, then return.
Objective: Ensure horse/rider team will be able to separate from search group if required
PART 2 - CERTIFICATION PROCESS
HORSEMANSHIP SKILL, CONTROL AND SENSITIVITY
1) Remain under control while walking within 15 feet around an emergency vehicle with continuous lights and sirens from a starting point of 50 feet
Objective: Demonstrate horse's ability to deal with emergency vehicles and rider's ability to maintain control of a startled mount
2) The horse must remain under control while passing at a walk within ten feet of an operating chain saw (or something similar) located at a stationary point
Objective: Demonstrate horse's tolerance and rider's ability to maintain control
3) While mounted, the rider must maintain control while firecrackers are exploded within a suitably size bucket (blank gun may be used) . Horse's nose must remain within a 20 foot radius.
Objective: Demonstrate horse's trust and ability to deal with startling noise and demonstrate rider's control
4) Mount should have exposure to being pony'd through a figure eight course
Objective: Basic trail skill, horse adaptability, horse calmness, horse social attitude
5) Pony other horse through figure eight
Objective: Basic trail skill, horse adaptability, horse calmness, horse social attitude
6) Horse must remain untied and under control while rider places a saddlebag with 40 pounds (which may include flare gun, slicker, etc.) of distributed weight behind saddle and then rides the mount for 60 feet
Objective: Demonstrate horse's acceptance and capability to carry necessary supplies
7) Exposure of mount to dismounting, picking up a drag line, remounting and pulling an object to a point 60 feet away and back
Objective: Demonstrate control while dealing with a rope (utilizing basic safety and trail skill, rider and horse's communication skill, horse's reaction to foreign object and maneuverability of horse)
8) Ride double with an adult at a walk for 100 feet (second rider should be of reasonable weight for horse)
Objective: Demonstrate horse's adaptability, horse calmness, horse social attitude
9) While mounted, blow police whistle loud for a minimum of three seconds, maintaining control of horse
Objective: Evaluate horse's calmness to sensory exposure
10) The horse must remain under control while a baby stroller is rolled, (or other obstacle) , approximately five feet in front of horse
Objective: Demonstrate horse's tolerance and rider's ability to maintain control
11) Remain under control while weaving through flags, balloons and streamers placed ten feet apart within one minute from a ten foot start point
Objective: Demonstrate horse's tolerance and rider's ability to maintain control
12) Remain in control while walking through a series of flares set in a ten foot channel with four flares evenly spaced on each side. Complete within a one minute period from a ten food start point.
Objective: Demonstrate horse's tolerance of emergency equipment and rider's ability to maintain control
F. REQUIRED TRAININGS FOR CERTIFIED MEMBERS
Once certification proficiency is completed, the Caswell County Sheriff will notify the new members of the Caswell County Sheriff's Mounted Horse Patrol.
All CCSMHP members are required to attend three out of four continuing education courses each year to remain on the active call down list.
June 2004
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