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Discussion on Trail riding hazards
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004 - 5:24 pm:
Well, I've never had the pleasure of meeting a rattler on the trail but you can turn around on just about any trail, it's all in knowing how to do it.
If the trail you describe is very narrow and on a hillside, always turn towards the downhill side. That way the horse can see where he's putting his front feet and not take a tumble. Never, I repeat, never turn towards the hill. This is a sure way to get in a wreck.
Holly
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Member:
Tangoh
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 1, 2004 - 2:01 pm:
I will consider myself fortunate that one of the hazards we don't have to worry about in Saskatchewan (at least in central Saskatchewan) is snakes! Dogs...now there's a hazard. Unless of course you have a horse like my tennessee walker who thinks the louder they bark and snarl, the better they might taste if given the opportunity to! He's my attack horse...but thankfully only with dogs that threaten us. Thank goodness I don't have to worry about him wanting to taste a snake!!!
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 1, 2004 - 4:05 pm:
Sherri
My saddle mare is like that. The man I bought her from would turn her around and chase the dogs that would run out barking at us. If dogs bark and follow us I can turn her and she will DrOp her head and go after them as far as i will let her. Its a little embarrassing when you do that then see the dogs owner standing on the porch. I have also gone over a few snakes (no rattlers). We have always been on top of them before I noticed. I freak out by my horse dosent even seem to notice.
Colleen
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Thursday, Apr 1, 2004 - 7:37 pm:
I love the chasing dogs thing. My horse would love that. When he was younger and we would see deer or wild turky. They would stand and look at us. My horse was terrified till I started walking towards them and they ran away. Now he wants to chase them all the time.
The snake thing is more scary to us humans I think. Fortunatly there is none where i live now. I grew up in australia where you would see a deadly snake at least once a week. I remember leading one of the stallions(fortunatly quiet) through the paddock and I almost stepped on a big one. I stood jumping and screamimg like an idiot. I was lucky I did not get bitten. My mum was yelling at me to quitly walk away. Guess my reaction happened before my brain. The stallion stood looking at me like I was a nut. The brown snakes (deadly) also breed like rabbits in australia. My mum used to blow them away like a little annie oakly. Glad I dont have that problem any more.
Katrina
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Member:
Alden
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Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 12:08 pm:
We have the Mojave green rattler around here, they are one of the more poisonous rattlers and do have a green tint to their skin. Fortunately they do know a horse is a little large to eat and will avoid them if they can. But just the other day we startled one on the trail, my dad riding my 10 yro geld can’t hear rattle snakes because of hear loss in the mills. He couldn’t understand why the gelding was running backwards, he was the second horse in the string and I was up front, the snake let the first horse pass by and then rattled at the second. At least the gelding knows to go the other way. We have been told here that the only real hazard to a horse is a snake bite to the face. But I’d rather not test that theory. 
Dogs on the other had, I rather the horse turn and defend than run. Running just encourages a lot of dogs to chase. And if the owner is just going to stand around and watch their dog(s) harass my horse then I don’t mind them watching the horse bust the dumb dog’s head.
Good day
Alden
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 1:44 pm:
My husband used to have a horse that he kept pastured at a friend's house. Unfortunately, everytime the friend let his dog out he would run down to the pasture and bark at the horse. Finally, the horse had enough and devised a plan. He was quietly grazing when here comes the dog. Horse cocks a hind leg and acted like he wasn't paying attention. As soon as the dog came within striking distance, WHAM! Dog runs screaming home, end of problem.
My QH is good with dogs if they're out front. He is keenly aware of them if they're behind him but hasn't kicked one in a long time. However, if they start running back and forth past him, he starts taking pot shots at them with his front feet. Hasn't gotten one yet but one day he might.
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Member:
Tangoh
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Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 2:06 pm:
Anyone have any experience riding through a bunch of pigs? We had to cut through a field on a trail ride and we were forewarned that there were domestic wild boars in this pasture. We never saw them, but the horses could sure smell them. Every one of the 6 or 7 horses were beside themselves with fear crossing that pasture, as much as we tried to relax, it was almost comical at how pent up with fear all the horses seemed. One of the trail riders said that of all the animals, horses seem to fear pigs the most. Anyone heard this before?
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Member:
Tangoh
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Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 2:09 pm:
Anyone have any experience riding through a bunch of pigs? We had to cut through a field on a trail ride and we were forewarned that there were domestic wild boars in this pasture. We never saw them, but the horses could sure smell them. Every one of the 6 or 7 horses were beside themselves with fear crossing that pasture, as much as we tried to relax, it was almost comical at how pent up with fear all the horses seemed. Even my fearless, stoic tennessee walker snorted and jigged the entire trip through the pasture. One of the trail riders said that of all the animals, horses seem to fear pigs the most. Anyone heard this before?
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Member:
Terrilyn
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Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 2:21 pm:
My down-the-street neighbor's very friendly pot-bellied pig got loose one day and wandered down to our house. He slipped under the fence into the pasture and at that point was facing sure death from our three horses who thought they were being visited by the porcine devil. I have never seen my horses react to any other creature in the way that they did to this poor little pig (Hamlet was his name)...they all fell into battle formation, pinned ears, bared teeth, lowered heads, and charged! If I hadn't gotten out there to distract them in time, his bacon would have been cooked. The horses watched intently and would not relax until I got a rope around his neck and led him back home....
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Member:
Poppy
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Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 4:06 pm:
We have feral pigs in this area (Sonoma County, CA) My mare has seen so many pigs on the trails during conditioning rides that she pays little or no attn to them. Once a sow with 14 piglets crossed our trail in a steep canyon.
All three of my horses are unfazed by such a thing. One day my mare met a sow, a boar and two young pigs coming out of a draw and she and the boar went nose to nose. No big deal. I think the solution is familiarity. We have other things to do when we see them, like go forward and put them behind us. Now, if you put a llama in frontof them, that's another story!!!
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Member:
Dartanyn
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Posted on Friday, Apr 2, 2004 - 8:33 pm:
Sherri, we have wild boars in our area. The horses pick up their scent and are definitely on the alert. All the trailriders in this area know not to approach or harass any of the boars; thankfully they are typically evening critters, however: if we chance upon them we leave in either a opposite direction or travel past at a very long distance. They are tempermental and will charge to guard babies, territory, or breeding ground regardless of the type of other animal. I don't know if the animals in your area are related to these types, but that's how we handle riding around them here: with GREAT respect. Sincerely, Dawn
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Member:
Kthorse
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Posted on Saturday, Apr 3, 2004 - 8:06 am:
My horses new fears are Lamas and this black goat. Unfortunatly we cant chase them as they are in paddocks. I think one day I will have to take him to the fence line and sit and have a picnic till he gets over it.
Katrina
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Member:
Roboski
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Posted on Monday, Apr 5, 2004 - 9:48 am:
We have feral pigs here (such a lot of damage they do to native plants & habitat!) and my horses have gotten calmer but still hate them. I've heard pigs smell like bears to horses (who got the grant for that study?). Hmm.....boar & sow ; same names as bears!
And I discourage dog chasing since we hunt and sure don't want anyone hurting a foxhound.
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 1:56 pm:
We don't have wild boar hear in New Hampshire but we do have bear! Was riding through the woods one day in late autumn/early winter day, wind at our back, just Moose (Appie gelding) and I. All of a sudden a small herd of deer darted across the trail ahead of us which I thought odd because the deer around here are usually active only at night. The reason quickly became clear--they were being chased by a black bear! My horse did a quick about face and took off down the trail in the opposite direction and I didn't discourage him! Haven't ridden in that particular stretch of woods since!
Has anyone else had the experience of encountering bear in the woods? Anyone have suggestions as to what else I could have done? The bear population seems to be on the increase around here and sightings more frequent.
D.
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Member:
Parfait
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Posted on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 5:18 pm:
Last year I was riding in the National Forest a couple of miles down the road. They had been clearing some trails and I thought that is what I heard up ahead. We were about a block into a new trail when my mare threw her head up. There were two very small cubs in a tree just 25 feet from us and they started to wail. Then they just let go and fell and were hitting all the branches on the way down. They were bawling their heads off. My mare turned to go but I held her there just mesmerized. Then I turned and looked over my shoulder and there was Mama! Luckily, she didn't block our path out but she was angry and up on her haunches by this point. We hauled at a run, flying over the logs that we had just daintily stepped over coming in and I was just hooting. It was like when I used to play cowboys and the bad guys were chasing us on our ponies.
By the time I got to the main road from the trail, because I was hollaring and laughing, my mare was going at such a clip that I wasn't sure that I could stop her. It was a mile down a steep hill to the truck, but she stopped, turned and did what I wanted to do... she peered back into the woods, as if to say, what the heck was that? She was spooked by dark stumps and suck for a bit after.
I've talked to the rangers and they said the bears will frequent the same spots, stay on the roads and paths and always travel where the berries are growing. I still ride in the same places and still ride alone but I avoid the sweet smelling spots and don't go where I see the bear scat.
There was just a woman here near the Oregon border who was riding and had her horse attacked by a cougar last week. She fell off and the horse eventually got the cat off 1/4 mile later. First known attack while on horseback! I'll take bears anyday.
kerry
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 6:36 pm:
Kerry, I admire the fact that you could hoop and holler and laugh and what happened! I was so frightened by my bear encounter that I nearly soiled myself!
I've heard that bears are territorial which is why I've never been back to that stretch of woods. Thanks for confirming what I suspected.
I, too, still ride alone but on other trails. I'm also constantly looking for signs of bear (scat or scratch marks on trees). You're braver than I am if you still ride on the same trail.
Thanks also for the info on berries. We have a lot of wild blueberry and raspberry bushes in the woods around here. I know bears like berries but never put 2 and 2 together. Nothing like stating the obvious! Thanks for waking me up.
Amen to bears vs. cougars.
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Member:
Parfait
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Posted on Sunday, May 9, 2004 - 11:33 pm:
We can't avoid the bears here. They are in our neighborhood and get into the trash. There is also a very musty smell if they are around. We have cougars also and they've killed my neighbor's sheep. I did see a small jr cat last fall and that shook me. He was panting and I think he had been following us for a while (my mare never saw him.) I guess a lot of gals here ride with guns. I have thought about it but know that my horses would either be missing an ear or take off like they were shot from a cannon. I just stay hyper-alert (always advisable with Arabs, anyway).
Kerry
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 12:32 am:
I have friends who ride with guns also, but much like Kerry, I've been more afraid of myself with the gun than whatever else I might face. I have visions of sitting on the ground with the horse running away from me and the mtn. lion towards me! I do carry pepper spray that has a 20' range, however. Supposidly it is the only thing that will stop a mountain lion.
We have bears here as well as mountain lions (cougars) elk, deer, rattle snakes, antelope, and the occassional moose. The most frightened any of my horses have ever been was the day one of them met an ostrich!! (It had gotten loose from a local ranch.) For a moment she was too overcome to even run. We finally got around it, but it took a lot of "doing!"
Most of the animals we meet usually are more wary of us than we are of them. Even snakes will move out of the way as a rule. The one time one didn't, my horse jumped over it before I'd even realized it was there.
As to mountain lions, as long as you live where there are lots of sheep you don't have to worry! We've had them walk right through our place, a few feet from the house and barn, over to the sheep fields of the neighbors. I did worry about the kids walking in the early morning dark to the bus past the sheep fields after seeing all the lion tracks, so DrOve them to the bus after that. They never did bother the horses, but the neighbors lost several sheep.
I do ride sometimes in rather isolated country and am usually alone. I've learned to trust my horses(and vica versa) and when they start acting really nervous I keep my eyes open and quite often turn around.
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 9:18 am:
I've never encountered any bears while on horseback, but I would imagine that the advice I received while hiking in Alaska years ago would apply:
Since bears (and indeed just about all wild animals) will go out of their way to avoid people, the best way to let bears know that you are around is by singing/talking loudly, or many hikers will attach bells to themselves. If they hear you coming, bears will usually head in the opposite direction. The most dangerous situation is when you startle them or surprise a mother with cubs, so give them plenty of "notice" that you are on the way. (I remember hiking around Wonder Lake and after seeing paw prints and lots of fresh scat, we started singing "100 bottles of beer on the wall..." at the top of our lungs). Thinking about this a bit more, I think the sounds of a horse would "mask" the sounds of a person riding quietly so you would probably have to make an extra effort to be loud. Which is too bad because half the fun of a trail ride sometimes is to just quietly enjoy mother nature.
Also, if possible, avoid riding with any food or even riding in clothes that you wore while cooking food just prior to your ride Those sensitive noses...
Don't know if this is still true or not (it's been nearly 20 years since I travelled around Alaska), but the Park Rangers were so serious about campers properly stowing even a dish pan to avoid bear/camper disasters that you could be fined for leaving ANYTHING out at night at your camp site. We never cooked and then crawled into our sleeping bags in the same clothes.
Other advice we received while there was DON'T RUN if you encounter a bear. They can actually run up to 40 mph and their instincts are to chase. Now, obviously, on a frightened horse, that's easier said than done. But if you can hold you horse, make lots of noise and make yourself as big as possible in the saddle (wave arms, sit up straighter). The bear is less likely to go after something so intimidating. Once the bear seems to have lost interest, re-treat slowly and as soon as it's out of sight, run like H**L!
And the advice worked for us...we say plenty of bear while there, but always at a safe distance!
Hope this helps.
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 10:13 am:
Great info, everyone. Thanks a lot.
Fran, you're right about the peace of a quiet hack through the woods.
You're info re: not carrying food nor wearing clothing that has been worn while cooking will be taken to heart. I knew that bears can run fast but didn't know how fast! 40 mph is astounding! I, too, have heard that running is the worst thing you can do if you encounter bear because a fleeing animal = something to eat in their language. Holding back a frightened horse would definitely be a challenge.
Getting 'big' has always worked when challenged by aggressive horses in the paddock. Good to know it might work with bear, moose, etc.
I hook a harness bell onto my saddle during hunting season (as well as wearing LOTS of orange) but remove it during non-hunting months. Guess it might be advisable to put it back on any time we're going into the woods!
Also thought about carrying a gun, but after thinking it through am more concerned about winding up on the ground and conveniently accessible to a predator. Sara, the pepper spray is something to consider. Thanks for the suggestion.
D.
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Member:
Jerre
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 11:03 am:
Anyone who rides in bear country has probably heard this joke, but I find I can't resist.Here in Western Washington we have black bears, who are generally shy, and react as described above. But in B.C. and Alaska there are grizzlies -- much bigger and more dangerous. So here's the "bear advice."
The rider should always have pepper spray and the horse should wear bells. And watch for scat. To tell the difference between black bear and grizzly scat: Black bear scat is full of berry seeds and vegetation. Grizzly scat is full of bells and smells like pepper spray!
Jerre
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 11:45 am:
Too funny! Hadn't heard this one before and got a good laugh. Thanks, Jerre!
D.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 1:25 pm:
Jerre I hadn't heard that one either! You probably know the one about the honeymooners in the tent too?
Fran, we've also spent quite a bit of time hiking and kyaking in Alaska. It seemed so wrong and we felt so foolish hiking along making so much racket after all our travel softely Sierra training. After seeing the size of the bears up there, however, we also sang "100 Bottles of Beer" at the top of our lungs! Althugh we saw lots of bears we were very careful about food, clothes, toothbrushing etc. The only animal probems we had were my favorite socks that got eaten by mice (I guess) and the mosquitos around Wonder Lake. We used so much bug spray the plastic handles on our coffee cups "melted" and our jeans would stand up by themselves! And...we still got bit-right through jeans, long johns, a newspaper, and the webbing on the chair! Time in Glacier Bay and Denali sure give "wilderness" a new perspective!
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 1:27 pm:
I have really enjoyed reading the bear stories. My husband and I were just discussing what it would be like to run into a bear during a ride. Fortunately we don’t have large predators in our area. Dealing with deer,a few elk and the so scary darting gray squirrel is adventure enough for me. You are a brave lot.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 1:29 pm:
Actually the BEST advice about riding in country with bears and cougars, is to ride with a friend...and make sure he has a slower horse!
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 1:41 pm:
D.,
I think you're quite right not to rely on a gun for protection. Unless you're an expert shot, it seems unlikely that it will do any good. I'm a good shot, I think I can handle my horse, but I can't imagine handling the gun AND the horse at the same time in a critical/scary situation (that's what I get for riding dressage!). Unless your horse is used to a cannon going off directly over it's head, you might end up hurt on the ground with even less ability to protect yourself (and your horse in the next county).
The lessons I learned about bears all those years ago really stuck with me, mostly because while we were in Alaska, we'd come out of the "sticks" every so often to stock up on supplies. I usually bought a newspaper to see what was going on and almost every time I opened up the paper, some careless tourist had been mauled or killed by not following the advice given at every camp ground & park entrance.
I think prevention is the best medicine in this situation.
Happy Trails.
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Member:
Poppy
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Posted on Monday, May 10, 2004 - 4:39 pm:
Yosemite Park has lots of bears. They visit the horse cmapground at Touloulmne Meadows at least once or twice each year while we camp there. One evening a bear upturned a food locker, but was unsuccssful in opening it. All food is locked up.
Our horses are in electric corrals at night and in in all the eyars we have been camping there, not one has spooked and run through the fences. The bears are after food, not horses or campers. Its amazing, but the horses seem to know it. The bears always come in the dark of night, and that makes it even more amazing that they don't spook the horses more. There might be as many as 15 to 20 horses in the campground and there just is no panic.
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2004 - 1:44 pm:
There's a saying about the woods: when a leaf falls in the forest, the hawk sees it, the deer hears it, and the bear smells it.
The only time I encountered bears while riding was over near Cashmere, WA (Jerre, you probably know where this is). We were riding through a canyon and saw twin cinnamon colored black bears in the brush. They were probably young adults, first year away from mama and they were moving like their heads were on fire and their asses were catching. The horses remained calm and watched the bears as they topped a hillside and disappeared.
We generally take our dogs with us on rides or packtrips so we use them as an "early warning system." We were stalked by coyote once or twice but they were more curious than threatening.
As to carrying a gun. I have a concealed weapons permit and do carry a Saturday night special in my saddle bag. Mostly I have it on hand just in case my horse is injured badly enough that it has to be put down. Not an unrealistic possibility when you ride in the mountains. Some of those trails are cut into a mountain side and if the horse spooks or loses footing, he could roll down the hill and have to be put down. I've seen it happen and it's not a pleasant sight. Hope I never have to experience it again.
Be safe out there everyone now that summer is here.
Holly Z
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 8:16 am:
I'm still chuckling at Sara's advice to ride with a friend whose horse is slower than yours...
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 11:04 am:
my appy has her own philosophy: if in doubt, refuse to lead. If there is a monster ahead it will get the horse infront.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 11:14 am:
Colleen-smart girl, your horse!
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 6:38 pm:
OK, everyone. Here's a new one to either debunk or get advice on.
I've been told that it's unwise to ride a mare who's in heat in the woods during moose rutting season. Has anyone heard this one? Is it true that a bull moose might mistake a mare in heat with a she-moose (cow) in heat?
If this is true, does anyone know how fast a bull moose can run?
Love my solitary rides in the woods but am beginning to think that a cell phone isn't the only 'insurance' I need to carry!
D.
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Member:
Parfait
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Posted on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 - 6:58 pm:
I dunno D.
Never heard of such a thing but your post sure made me laugh!
Kerry
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 12:39 am:
I'm not sure about how a moose feels about a horse, but they have been known to go after cars, trucks, and even trains. They've also been known to attack their own reflections in a store window. They have terrible eye sight and mean tempers even on a good day from what I've been told. I believe they can run pretty good, too. Personally, I'd rather get close to a bear - at least one of our local black bear. I think bears are more predictable than moose (meese?)
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 8:27 am:
I dont know anything about moose, but that could be a concern. I know some species upon smelling estrus will attack the female whatever because of sexual excitement and/or confusion. Bears will attack human females in "heat". In state parks women are warned not to go where bears are during that time of month. I have heard a few stories of stallions getting excited by human females in estrus.
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 8:36 am:
D,
Your post reminded me of an incident I encountered on a trail ride three years ago. A friend and I were riding on some back trails in Vermont, and we met a neighbor who was logging in the woods. He told us to watch out for moose because it was rutting season (we had seen the hoof prints earlier on the trail), and then he told us a story from a time when he lived in Canada and was logging with horses. The loggers had several mares that were kept pastured, and when the moose sensed that one or some of them were in heat, he attacked and killed one of the mares and damaged another.
We were riding geldings . . . whew!
No one else I have asked has ever heard about a bull moose attacking mares during rutting season, but it might be wise to be extra cautious.
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 8:57 am:
Wow! Frightening story! So there might be some truth to a mare in heat causing a bull moose to go berzerk! Thank you, Holly, for passing along the story.
The moose and bear populations seem to be on the increase around here (central New Hampshire). Have always had geldings in the past and am just beginning to learn how much I need to learn now that I own a mare!
Extra caution = staying out of the woods during rutting season when mare in heat! Good advice!
Colleen, interesting comments. Thank you. Didn't know that bears might react to women at that time of the month.
D.
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Member:
Lschultz
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Posted on Monday, May 17, 2004 - 7:36 pm:
Pigs! Okay, back to pigs...the reason horses are so fearful of pigs is because wild boars (in more evolutionary days) were one of the wild horses' most feared adversaries. Think about it...they are low to the ground, and are capable of short bursts of speed. They could gore a leg in no time, leaving a horse crippled. I've ridden past and around hog farms, and respect my mount's total regard for what used to be a crippling machine. Snakes...here in the Appalachian plateau we have eastern diamondbacks, which rattle, and copperheads, which don't, and are aggressive. Throughout 25 years of riding here, our horses almost always see the snake first. We've come to trust our horses' lead, when they are really looking at something nearby, there's usually a reason. Shooting a snake off a horse is a risky proposition at best, and generally teaches the horse that snakes (or shadows or sticks resembling snakes, means a big scary bang from somewhere close behind its head...)}}
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Member:
Remmi
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006 - 6:39 pm:
My questions is - what do you do when trail riding and you encounter an aggressive dog who is off leash and not obeying his owner?
My friend was riding in a forest preserve this weekend and she encountered a pit bull that was off leash and ignoring his owner. The pit bull snarled at my friend and her horse, growling and showing signs he was about to attack. Fortunately the owner was able to distract the dog by throwing the leash at the dog, and when the dog looked at his owner he ran through the woods and the dog chased after him. My friend quickly galloped away, but incredibly came across another pitbull who was not on a leash either, and the dog ran under her horse and started jumping up to the horse's belly. The horse stomped the dog (not fatal but was injured). The owners stood by watching unable to call their dog off my friends horse.
What in the world do you do when you come across a loose dog who is aggressive? If one of those pit bulls had locked onto the horse's leg, it could have been disastrous for everyone!!
Any suggestions would be appreciated.}
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Member:
Mcbizz
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006 - 7:18 pm:
Get a really good squirt gun, fill it with straight ammonia and let it fly at an aggressive dog...doesn't scare the horse, but it can sure get rid of the dog if you aim for the face...
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006 - 7:30 pm:
I've used the gun filled with ammonia and water, and it works. The other thing that has always worked for me is as soon as the dog starts barking, growling, or coming towards you, turn your horse and run towards the dog, turning the attacker into the attackee. It's always worked for me, and when I ride in the same area with the same dogs, they don't come towards us. Better yet, if you're lucky enough to own a burro, let it follow along when you go riding. Burros love to chase dogs and scare them to death.
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006 - 7:41 pm:
I agree with chasing the dog; some horse will try to stomp them good.
I'd also report the dogs running loose. If they are trying to attack a horse, how safe would someone on bike, or foot be?
Carrying a gun sounds like a good plan also if you are trained and liscensed to carry one of course. I love dogs, don't get me wrong, but an out of control dog deserves to at least be shot AT.
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Member:
Canter
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006 - 9:03 pm:
Perhaps carrying a dressage whip might help - it's long enough to carry without interferring with the horse and also long enough to give a dog a good crack over the head or back before it get's close enough to do any damage.
Grrr...this is a pet peeve of mine, people who are totally irresponsable and inconsiderate with their dogs. My dog (always on a leash unless she's in my yard, supervised) is prone to being attacked (her tongue hangs out all the time due to jaw surgery for cancer years ago - I think other dogs see it as a weakness and go after her). We've been attacked so many times while the idiot owner stands by watching. I've taken to carrying a big heavy stick with me and sad to say I've had to use it (and then get yelled at by the owner for hurting poor muffy who's trying to literally rip the tongue off my dog). A heavy stick probably isn't practical while riding, but I would think a whip would get the point across.
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006 - 10:25 pm:
i used to live in an area that was always with packs of dogs... Try fending off three at a time... as a novice rider i was always so nervous of that. And it happened. more than once. But only the FIRST time was it the scariest. and i was lucky enough to be on a horse that knew where and when to get the biggest bang out of the kick. She was spot on if i let her do her thing. don't get in the way of her visuals.
I've learned do not back down... or run. that makes it worse. Give your horse his head. HE knows what to do when being attacked. or cornered. Try not to let him bolt. Let him do his thing. and help him think it thru. He is the guts but you are the brains. If he bolts and you lose control, then you will both get hurt. He's going to be swinging around alot to address them all and you better have a good seat. and stay on for the ride. What i remember is a kick followed by a mule kick, stomp on the front, spin to the next dog. And believe me i remember all of it...
The dogs will ultimately back down the longer it goes on and more tired they get. or hurt. DO NOT take a gun out with you on the trail. Or mace. Or whatever thing. Chances are you'd hit your horse before hitting a moving target. Especially in a panic situation. Unless you are a crack shot. Or there is NO wind. don't chance it. Forget the dressage whip too. HOW would you get it unwrapped from your horses legs? Best bet is to trust your horse in this situation. And help as you can....
Once the pack is injured either one or all they tend to disband. I did have one dog once follow me home and we had to keep turning at it and chasing it for a bit. Then we would turn and go home. At that point i did call the barn to say get me help...
It is the mOST terrifying experience more so than being mugged (that too has happened)... But once you do go thru it the next time it happened it really didn't get so bad since we knew what to do next....
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Member:
Dsibley
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 7:21 am:
A friend of mine always insists on taking her dogs along on trail rides. While good dogs, it is so very annoying (and dangerous) to have to watch where the dogs are at in addition to trying to maneuver the trail. And she gets angry when the horses accidentally step on the dogs...go figure. Not to mention the fact that my Appendix has quite a bit of 'cow' from way back, and wants to chase anything that moves. Needless to say, I have declined the last couple of rides with the doggies.
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Member:
Frances
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 8:33 am:
I agree about the benefits of swinging round and going for attacking dogs - GROWLING SAVAGELY as you do so is good too (although tends to amaze any bystanders).
But I'm not keen on swinging my mare round any more since she had suspensory desmitis on the LF some time ago, and although it's healed I'm obsessive about avoiding any strain, esp the twisting variety.
So, when two loose Rottwellers rushed at my mare and me as we were out riding recently, snarling and growling around us for at least five minutes, I was limited to pointing my dressage whip at them (afraid to try to land a blow in case it REALLY enraged them as they hadn't actually sunk their teeth in), talking to them, and trying to keep my horse from bolting. (She was a star.)
What do any of you think the effect would be of tossing a couple of dog biscuits to attacking dogs? Would they decide you were their friend and behave more pleasantly? Or would it confirm their idea that you represented a good meal? Of course you might end up attracting aggressive dogs from all over the countryside  .
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 9:09 am:
Concerning firing a gun from the back of a horse we have an excellent discussion on this topic that can be found through a good search. I like the ammonia water gun idea for those less inclined to firearms but wonder if perhaps one of those personal protection sprays might be more effective: do they one with a long enough spray? In any case I would practice using it while on horse back to help prevent exposing the horse to the noxious substance.
I too believe in charging at the dogs as long as the horse is of that mind set as not all are. If your horse fears dogs, that should be trained away if you trail ride.
DrO
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 10:14 am:
I second your opinions, Dr. O. Unfortunately, some dogs will not back down even when you charge them. Fighting-bred dogs (pit bulls, rotties, etc) are more likely than others to continue the attack no matter what. Call the cops if you survive...
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Member:
Cheryl
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 11:38 am:
We own an Am Staff - and have owned two other pit bulls. Anyone who allows any of the large terrier breeds to run loose is a selfish - irresponsible - self centered jerk - who really doesn't care anything about their dog. The problem with the terriers is also what gives them their great personalities. They own where they are standing as well as all they can see - smell - and hear. Pepper spray is probably the best bet - I would prefer to use it on the owner - but - it should stop any of the large aggressive breeds from attacking. But only if you get a full face shot - For the most part they will not back down and they are also very fast and agile.
Cheryl - whose dog is always on a leash unless he's at home - and even then sometimes.
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Member:
Amara
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 4:11 pm:
i've always found that chasing the dogs works best... my horses think its great fun actually... but hang on if one gets too close and the pony lets fly!.
if you're going to carry a gun make sure your horse is very accustomed to the sound before you get into that situation...
most people have guns that have a lot of safeties on them... if you're trying to control a horse that's having a problem with a dog you are not going to have the hands free to undo safeties and rack the gun....
most states allow prohibited weapons when travelling... you could probably argue with the DA that when you're trail riding you're "travelling", so wouldnt need a license...
as far as pepper spray, on a truly aggressive dog the basic stuff that you pick up at sports or auto stores probably wont work... sometimes even the 10% OC spray that law enforcement uses isnt enough, but it will most likely take enough of the fight out of the dog to give you some space... law enforcement spray will usually carry a little bit, so you dont have to be right on top of the dog, as long as your aim is good..
this is where i actually advocate bring your own dogs-if you have a good handle on them.. i am one of those people who trail rides with my dogs loose...they are NEVER underfoot, but will never let me be bothered by any other dogs-or anything else for that matter...the smallest is half rottie, and the other two about double her size... no worries...
the only time i've had problems with dogs-or bear or rattlers for that matter, is when i DIDNT have my dogs with me...
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Member:
Erika
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 5:49 pm:
Uh oh, Melissa. The law may be in the side of the "traveler", but it will cost you a bit of jail time and more than a little money to convince the DA that you're in the right.
I bailed my brother out of jail in Connecticut once after passing through the state with his legal-in-Virginia guns!
I vote for sticking with the squirt gun idea.
Erika
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Member:
Ilona
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 6:12 pm:
Talking of cougars. Where I now live, just moved, is rife with bear and cougar. I woke up the other night and was disoriented as to where I was, for a moment I thought I was home in Africa as what woke me was the bellowing roar of a lion, amplified by the canyon. Three load roars followed the dogs went ballistic, the horses were not happy. The next day two neighbours sighted the lion/cougar about 1/4 mile away from our property languishing in a tree watching people with the stance that indicated "what's all the fuss about". Very confident cat. I've been around them a lot and understand them to be shy, so have never been concerned about an attack whilst riding, even though I know they can take down a bull elk in this region. Hearing of some-one being attacked whilst on horse back is alarming. Is this a word of mouth urban legend...or did this happen to someone you directly know. I hate fire-arms, am frightened of them. However I do have a greater fear of that kind of attack. Have just received two single shooting trained strong thoroughbred stallions, and maybe I need to get gun training and only ride those guys when I'm out alone. I'll be more panicked than the horse when shooting. At least one of us will be calm, it would just be nice if it was the rider!
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Member:
Warwick
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 8:44 pm:
Ilona, when I lived in Victoria on Vancouver Island several years ago, a woman was trail riding with a friend when she was attacked by a cougar while she was mounted. The friend who was riding with her was the neighbor of a friend of mine so I know it's not heresay.
Be wary!
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Member:
Ilona
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2006 - 8:51 pm:
oh dear, that was my concern. thanx Sue
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