Story by Rita Thompson-Tinsley
In early February 2016, a buckskin horse was reported missing in the Almosta Trail System. The local Prescott Saddle Club had stopped for lunch, tied their horses and one got loose. The riding group searched for the runaway horse with no sightings.
Almost immediately Karen Moseley of Horsing Around put together a mounted search party for the next day. She chose people familiar with this particular area and divided the group into 3 search parties to cover more territory. She brought binoculars so she could ‘glass‘ the area with better visibility.
After the groups rode off, Moseley made her way upward to get a better view. After 45 minutes of thoroughly glassing the area from her heightened position, she began to feel frustrated. After saying a short prayer for better guidance, Karen turned to begin scouring another direction, and there he was.
As she attempted to retrieve the buckskin, she realized there was a barb wire fence between them. She called for backup and in rode Lanelle White-Newton along with her two young daughters and a friend to halter the horse, still saddled, and pony him back to the trailhead.
According to Moseley, the key to coordinating a search well is assessing the area and providing everyone with a map and cell numbers – not to call, but to text. Phone reception is generally sketchy but a text will eventually get through. Each group should also have a halter and lead rope for the rescue, and horse treats are handy.
Some searches include other modes and methods. There may be hikers, bikers and ATVs, as was in the case of Khonsu, the German Shepherd who was ejected from a vehicle accident. A mounted search was organized by Christina McCarty with expert networking skills. Eight of us met at Big Bug Trailhead and followed a trail which would have access to where the dog might be.
As with horses, water sources play an important part for investigation, so we trailed up to a visible windmill. Days later the family of Khonsu camped out close to the accident sight. They awoke to find the injured dog sleeping on their jackets.
Leaving out ‘scent items‘ is key, especially with dogs. Unfortunately, Khonsu passed away days later due to his serious injuries, but because they didn‘t give up, Khonsu‘s family was able to spend those last days with him.
Not every search guarantees a successful finding, but the planning, camaraderie and ingenuity always makes it a successful endeavor. In many search groups you’ll find the same enthusiastic participants.
In June of 2013, Linda Corbin arrived late for a group ride at the Granite Mountain Cayuse Trail. She tethered her horse to her trailer to begin tacking up. Her horse managed to get loose and take off. There commenced a three-day search.
June 17th was Amanda Marsh‘s birthday. Her husband, Granite Mountain Hotshot superintendent Eric Marsh, asked her what she wanted to do? Would she like to spend the day in Sedona or join the others in search for Linda‘s horse?
Amanda chose to join the search party, so off they went, horses Shorty and Susie in tow. Amanda and Eric were assigned the area around Granite Basin Lake, but continued to search throughout the basin.
The search was called off the next day due to the Doce Fire. Ironically, Eric Marsh ended up on the team in charge of protecting Granite Basin, the area where he and Amanda were searching for the lost horse. Proudly, that area remained green. After the horrible deadly tragedy that took place weeks later in Yarnell, the memorial for Eric Marsh, the first memorial, was held at Granite Basin Lake.
Linda Corbin‘s horse was never found, but there were unconfirmed rumors of firefighters siting a lone running horse in the Doce region. It was heading in the direction of what has become the Memorial Grandfather Juniper Tree.
