1. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Mounted Search & Rescue (MSAR)
SEARCH & RESCUE
MOUNTED TEAM
The original version of this presentation was a joint effort between the CSAR & TROTSAR Mounted Teams of Virginia
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

2. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Agenda
MSAR benefits
Operational expectations
Panel discussion/Q & A session
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

3. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Benefits
Credentialed MSAR teams are a trusted resource for the incident commander
Skilled Teams on Horseback cover a lot of ground very quickly
Quick search and containment capability due to potential travel speed
Can often reach a target destination more easily and more quickly than on foot
Not as hindered by terrain, climate, lack of roads, or ground cover
Provide enhanced visibility for search efforts during day or night
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

4. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
On Roads
Off Roads
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

5. Horses = Valuable Searchers
Highly developed sense of hearing, smell and sight.
As a prey animal – conditioned to be alert to surroundings
Able to detect clues or signs of human presence well in advance of the rider
Horses do not traditionally track scents like dogs, however they have a highly developed sense of hearing, smell and sight.
Dogs, as predators, are more aggressively focused on hunting; conditioned to "hunt" for things. Horses don't exhibit the same drive to find an object, even using rewards. Yet they are very aware of their surroundings. They may be more easily distracted BECAUSE they are a prey animal, and by nature conditioned to be alert for possible predators.
The horse is naturally designed to scent right on the ground or six feet in the air, expanding the size of the available scent cone.
Horses are experts at long distance scent detection. The horse has been selectively bred in the wild to use air scent locating abilities to search for choice feed, minerals, water, other horses and to avoid danger. They are instinctively aware of their surroundings and will alert to anything out of the ordinary, especially the presence of another human or animal.
They can detect clues well in advance of a rider. A good mounted team will investigate anything that attracts the horse’s attention. The challenge for a rider is to be aware of the subtle nature of the alerts.
Equine Detects Human Presence Before Rider
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

6. Equine Performance Expectations
Behavior - The animal must be sociable and controllable in situations involving crowds, noise, traffic, other horses, dogs, or other domestic animals and other distractions encountered.
Quiet and well-mannered.
Show no aggression toward people and domestic animals.
Demonstrate the ability to transport between search sites easily.
Stand quietly while tethered.
Work independently of other equines, as well as with other equines.
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

7. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
MSAR Mounts at a Public Event
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

8. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Agility & Responsiveness
Move forward smoothly in a variety of gaits.
Back on command.
Ford creeks and streams.
Cross bridges.
Negotiate obstacles normally found in urban, rural and wilderness areas.
Successfully complete equine field test
Includes mounted and dismounted challenges
Must pass ALL aspects of State required MSAR field test (for VA & MD)
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

9. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Status 1 Find
Tracking
Inspecting a Trail Head
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

10. Response Applications
Search and rescue of people
Assist in evacuation
Assist with communications
Evidence searches
Packing equipment into roadless areas
Credentialed NIMS/ICS responders
Highly visible presence
Mounted Search & Rescue teams are usually organized for:
Search and rescue – riders may be able to search terrain that a ground searcher would find difficult or they may be a viable resource for a hasty team response. Depending on the situation, they may also provide an alternative transport for an injured person.
Communications – mounted personnel may aid in communications by establishing radio relays or actually serving as a radio relay
Evidence searches – visibility from a saddle may be an advantage. With sign-cutting training, mounted searchers can see sign that might not be as visible to ground searchers.
Packing equipment into roadless areas - they can haul supplies; assist with transport; or serve as couriers in less accessible areas.
Parades/PR efforts
Highly visible presence – providing perimeter security or traffic control
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

11. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Approaching a High Visibility Area
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

12. Additional Strategies for Use
Passive Containment
Trail/road blocks
Lookouts
Attraction
Active Hasty Searches
Where limited resources exist
High Probability of Detection (on trails)
Purposeful Wandering
Tracking
Victim Evacuation
Search Strategies: Horses can be used in all phases listed below. Some categories of lost persons are more apt to approach a horse/rider than to approach a searcher on foot.
Passive Containment
• Trail/road blocks
• Lookouts
Attraction – some categories of lost persons may be more apt to approach and horse and rider than a searcher on foot.
• Lights/• Noise
Active Hasty Searches
• Where there are limited resources
• On High POAs/High PODs trails
Purposeful Wandering
Cover extensive distances
Line Searches
• Help maintain critical spacing
Tracking
Visibility is very different 4-6 feet in the air - things look very different to a searcher on horseback
The core skills required of every individual training to be a Search and Rescue Professional do not vary across specialties.
Well-trained horses are practical for searching large tracts of forest, bike trails, open fields and other terrain to locate such things as downed aircraft, lost hunters, or hikers lost in the woods, and the elderly.
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

13. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Victim Evacuation During a Functional Exercise
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

14. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Other Applications
Parades/Demonstrations/Special Events
Public relations & educational programs
Assist Local Animal Response Teams
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) assistance
The TROTSAR Mounted team is also affiliated with Montgomery County Maryland CERT
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

15. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Equipment on the Rider
Photo SAR ID Card
Backpack/belt pack with adequate protection and survival gear.
Basic first aid kit.
Potable water
VFH Hand Held Radio capable of communicating with Public Safety Agencies. ( National SAR Channel)
As a Mounted Searcher the first priority must be our personal welfare and survival, therefore carrying certain items “on” us and not the horse makes sense in the case you and your horse ‘part company’.
Recommendations include:
A backpack or belt pack that contains enough survival gear that you can take care of your basic needs (leather gloves, emergency blanket, garbage bags, basic first aid equipment, Leatherman or similar tool).
Water
Lightweight rain protection gear
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

16. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Training
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

17. Ongoing Yearly Training
Yearly In-Service Training (40 hours minimum)
Search and rescue techniques
First aid and CPR
GPS and compass and map exercises
Trail riding safety and weather condition awareness
Radio communications
Record-keeping
NIMS & ICS Compliance
These activities should include but not be limited to the following:
Search and rescue techniques
First aid and CPR
GPS and/or compass and map exercises
Trail riding safety and weather condition awareness
Radio communications
Mounted searchers need to recognize some of the alert signals that horses naturally will give when they encounter human or cadaver scent on a search – to realize that, when their horses start acting different it may be because they are close to the missing victim
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

18. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Land Navigation Training
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

19. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Team Preparation
Develop legal protocol for response (MOU’s) with local, state or tribal governments
Keep all gear organized for fast loading
Carry adequate supplies for several days (72 minimum)
Deploy as Self-Supporting Resource
Have a set protocol for response. Teams consist of at least two equine units – collaborate on response prior to callouts.
Store certain gear in horse trailer, tow vehicle to reduce response time
May be useful to keep SAR equipment separate from everyday tack so it is easily accessible (two sets of tack)
Be prepared for overnight assignments
MSAR Base Camp
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

20. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Planning
Communications
Deployment
Debriefings
Common Operational Picture
Briefings
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

21. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Resources & Guides
Mounted Search and Rescue Guide (written by Kathy Roberts)
Virginia Department of Emergency Management Equine Standards (
National Association of Search & Rescue (
FEMA Emergency Management Institute, online ICS, NIMS and CERT Courses (
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM

22. TROTSAR Mounted TEAM www.trotsar.org
Questions
TROTSAR Mounted Team - Serving FEMA Region III -
TROTSAR Mounted TEAM