Horse Patrol

Under the direction of Coe Park staff, Mounted Assistance Unit (MAU) volunteers often assist in patroling the back country on horseback. Before participating in horse patrol, one must have successfully completed the volunteer training program, and be familiar with the park rules, radio procedures, trails, and the locations of backpack and horse camps. Horse patrol volunteers must meet additional qualifications before joining the Mounted Assistance Unit.

Normally patrols are done with two or more volunteers. Those on patrol are required to complete a patrol log that documents observations and/or any incicidents.

Here you see some of the MAU members helping out with the Horse Patrol table at the annual Coe Back Country Weekend. Several of the members assist in a variety of volunteer activities that include morning and evening horse patrol during the weekend; as well as, providing interpretive rides through the Orestimba Wilderness area.

Additional Qualifications

Qualified volunteers will need to have a horse available for use and a means of transporting the horse. No stallions allowed. The horse must be at least four years old and be able to work effectively in crowds, as well as, be able to handle a variety of situtations. Good conditioning and being trail wise are a must.

The Checkout Ride

Horse and rider must pass a checkout ride and an evaluation of horsemanship. The evaluation will be performed by at least two experienced senior MAU horse persons. The checkout rides coincide with the PRA volunteer training.

The checkout ride will consist of the following activities:

• trailer loading and unloading
• standing tied
• leading in hand
• mounting and dismounting from both sides
• backing
• handling trail obstacles including creek crossing
• ponying and being ponied
• identification of major trails and landmarks
• review and discussion of various situations that might be encountered

To find out more about horse volunteer activities you may contact Chere Bargar, MAU President, at (408)683-2247. Or for other volunteer activities at Coe Park, click the link below for the Coe Park website or call Coe Park Headquarters at 408 779-2728.

Patrol Equipment

The mounted horse patrol volunteers are required to have a current First Aid Certificate and Adult CPR training. Courses in both are conducted annually for volunteers or can be obtained through other providers. Each volunteer is required to carry first aid and other equipment during patrol. Here you see one of the mounts all decked out with the required equipment packs. This horse is tacked with an English saddle that has been set-up to carry packs in front and back. This adaptation for an English setup requires special fittings. A number of vendors offer this type of equipment for horses in competitive trail riding and endurance riding. It allows the horse to be tacked with a minimal amount of weight.

Volunteers are required to carry a number of items with them during patrol. First aid equipment needs to be packed separately from the other equipment. There is also a considerable number of optional items that the volunteer would find useful to carry.

Below are two PDF files which describe the required and optional contents. Please note that you will need to have the Adobe Acrobat 4.0 or greater Reader on your computer to download or view these files.

•   Patrol Pack   PDF file of required and optional patrol equipment
•   First Aid Pack   PDF file of required and optional first aid equipment

Other Items

CLOTHING

Wear the official uniform and dress comfortably for weather changes.

APPEARANCE

Horse and rider should be well groomed and neat.

TACK

Must be clean and in good repair. The saddle must have a way to attach patrol bags and other equipment. Breast collar is required in hilly terrain. A crouper is optional. All tack must be adjusted to fit the horse properly.