The Art & Science of Equine Scenting

Presenter: Michael Hadsell – Animal Behavior Specialist
Director of Peace River K-9 Search and Rescue Association

Live Demo and Lecture
Friday, 12/10/25
Arena 5 from 19:00 – 21:00

Michael Hadsell has been training dogs in scent work for over 30 years. About 7 years ago, he started pioneering utilizing the horses’ innate sense of smell in scent work with resounding success. He has dovetailed that success into two, highly trained ”E-9” Search and Rescue teams based in South Florida. All teams meet ASTM standards F2794, pass a rigorous Horse Rider Evaluations and train on a regular basis.

Mounted search and rescue teams have several advantages over their human and canine counterparts. With a trained search rider in the saddle they have a distinct height advantage over the ground searcher when looking for the lost subject. Mounted units also move four times faster than humans and can stay out on patrol for long periods of time.

Mike also has in development a cutting edge Otter Program using the instinctual scenting skills of the otter to find human remains in low visibility water. This, as well as the Equine Scenting Program, is going to revolutionize the Search & Rescue industry.

Peace River K9 Search and Rescue (PRSAR) is a Southwest Florida based non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation made possible by public donations and the dedication of many volunteers in order to provide a professional highly trained search and rescue team for the rapid, effective and safe return of lost or missing persons. PRSAR never charges for their services, however they are ready to respond 24 hours a day—everyday, with a High level of Professionalism and Performance “So that Others may Live”.

In this educational presentation, you will witness trained scent horses working scent problems, finding both live people in the blind as well as watch trained horses seek out and alert on cadaver scent. The American Equine Scenting Association’s 2022 Horse of the Year, Sampson, and his partner Sgt, David Estes of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office will be on hand to relay how they consistently use these techniques in the field with great success to find missing persons, apprehend trespassers and fugitives, as well as to locate evidence. Join us to learn all about this amazing search & rescue resource that you have had in your unit all along and how to use it to enhance your mission in the community.