Steele County Sheriff’s Office

Mounted Posse Sensory Training Course Description

All sensory training will be from the following list. These are all situations that you may encounter when on patrol or other duty. You will have about 3 minutes to complete each station, and will get a ‘completed’ or ‘Needs Work’ for each station. This will be an indication of items to work with your horse on.

This test is done on horseback.

STATION 1: INSPECTION OF TACK. This will be done prior to entering the testing area. Use tack as if on patrol – Western, no clips on reins, tie cinch.

STATION 2: WALK, TROT, AND LOPE. This will be done in the following manner: Using corresponding cones, walk to first cone, trot to second cone, lope to third cone and stop. Then, back your horse approximately 5 steps.

STATION 3: WALK THROUGH NOODLES. Walk between barrels through the noodles protruding from them.

STATION 4: GROUND LEVEL GROUPING. (Tires, branches, sticks – ditch simulation). Walk your horse through ground level grouping of tires, branches, and sticks.

STATION 5: WALK OVER BRIDGE.

STATION 6: CAVELLETTI/LOGS. Walk your horse over logs at an easy pace, and over higher obstacle.

STATION 7: HANGING STRIPS. Walk your horse through hanging branches.

STATION 8: CARRY FLAG. Pick up flag and place in holder. Walk horse to the next station with flag unfolded, and hand to person on the ground.

STATION 9: SIDE PASSING. Side pass your horse down the length of one log, turn your horse and side pass the other direction down the length of the other log.

STATION 10: RAIN COAT. Pick up raincoat and put it on. Person on ground will shoot water gun at the horse and rider. Remove the coat and place it back where it was previously located.

STATION 11: DRAG TIRE AND PUBLIC CONTACT. Ground crew will approach your horse and gently touch the horse on his neck/shoulder area. Then ground crew will give you the rope for the tire. Drag the tire around the cone and back.

STATION 12: OPEN UMBRELLA. Ground crew will open umbrella twice in front of horse.

STATION 13: ROLL BALL. Ground crew will roll ball around and under horse. Walk horse up to large ball and push.

STATION 14: STROLLER & BALLOONS. Ride horse into square. Make a 360° turn in the box with the horse. Dismount, walk around the horse and remount. Stand quietly while ground crew goes around you with stroller and balloons making noise. When finished, step out of box and continue to police tape.

STATION 15: POLICE TAPE LINE. Walk horse between the police line tape.

STATION 16: BANNERS. Ride your horse up to the banner, and then around it. Once completed, exit the arena.

The last station will be done when all riders have completed the sensory course.

STATION 17: LIGHTS, SIRENS, and GUN SHOTS. Line up all the horses. Keep your horse under control as the squad car makes a couple of passes by the lineup at a distance. The squad car will then park, and keep the lights on. Riders can approach the car as they are comfortable with their horse. A gun may be fired at random during this time as well.

Your help is needed. Once you have completed the sensory course, please report back to the testing area to assist with the testing of others.

REMINDERS:

· The horse that you will be using for patrolling at the Steele County Free Fair must attend one of these sessions. This is not a training exercise for new horses. However, you are welcome to bring additional horses for training purposes.

· It is the responsibility of the rider to let the tester know if you need extra time/consideration at a station.

· Feel free to wear a helmet for your safety.

· Make sure to use tack as if you were to go on patrol.