Boosiler, I will agree to amiably disagree.   

 No, a cell is not the be-all and end-all of safety, nor is it possible to foresee every danger, but to ignore one item that could easily get you out of a pickle isn't reasonable in my book.  I'm not talking about chatting away as you ride--I rarely use my cell for anything but emergencies--but a rider alone needs every opportunity available for safe recovery after an incident.  We've had many an injured rider airlifted off the trail system here since cell phones became commonplace.  I'll go out on a limb and guess that minor injuries are more likely to remain minor if the rider isn't forced to walk several miles to the nearest road crossing for rescue.

BTW, for outdoorsy types like us, there's a wonderful cell phone made of carbon fiber, totally waterproof and indestructible (yes, I've already run over it with the tractor and had the horse stomp it into the ground).  I have a cell phone holder that straps the phone to my leg just below my knee and helps protect it from impact.  They're cheap and so far have worked fine including during my many unplanned dismounts.  The outside of your lower leg rarely makes the kind of ground contact your butt does, so while a pocket might be more convenient, a leg-strap holder is more effective.

Of course you should tell everyone around you where you're going.  Leave notes and print up maps to stick on the barn bulletin board if need be.  And naturally you should avoid riding alone if at all possible.  Wear a helmet.  Carry some duct tape and baling twine for quick tack repairs (we had Chicago screws simply snap in mid-ride miles from home, but were able to tie the headstall back together), and take whatever other precautions are suggested by the terrain and level of isolation of your trail, but don't forget the cell phone either.   Why ignore a perfectly useful tool?

JMF, What I was trying to say is that while you were pointing out "you never know what might happen at any time/place" it could build unnecessary fear (how many people find bears on their property?) (I have, when I was a kid in AR, a black bear in our front yard! but a cell wouldn't have saved me cause my parent's place has NO Signal!), and I was embellishing on that-that even with the cell, would it have saved you had that bear had the mind to attack you? No..if a tractor wouldn't frighten one off... anyways, you get the point. I was adding to that by saying that you're right, you NEVER know what might happen, but don't let a cell be a false sense of security. YOU CAN'T PREPARE FOR EVERYTHING  If you don't have one and you let people know the game plan, you are probably going to be fine, outside of taking extreme risks. Be aware there are risks, act responsibly, but don't let worry ruin your fun. If you wrap yourself in bubble wrap and don't "live" life, what's the point of living? (and I'm not an extreme risk taker, I don't even drive over the speed limit, I'm kind of a weenie about things, but I don't worry about what might happen all the time, and I enjoy my time alone on my horse).   So I kinda think we agree, but disagree. I'm not even sure now. LOL 

 LOL!  I hear you!  No, I 'm not advocating a false sense of security or a fear of trail riding.  You can in no way prepare for even  MOST things, let alone everything.  I'd really rather no one had to ride out alone in populated areas.  It's been my experience that that's where most problems arise--dogs running out onto the trail from nearby homes, wildlife pushed into trail areas by encroaching development, a pissy neighbor who hated riders close to her land dumping a box of nails onto the trail (yeah, really!), and so on--as opposed to, say, ranch workers in TX or OK who have to ride alone but are less likely to come across something that will undo them.

I'm completely with you!  There are lots of reasons not to COMPLETELY rely on a cell phone.  I've only had a cell for a few years, but I've been riding for more than 47.  But I wanted to make the point that no one will know you're injured (or even unhorsed!) if you can't call and tell them.  If it's an option, then use it.  I'd have LOVED to have a cell when I got dumped halfway through a hunter pace and wound up having to ride the rest of the way with a concussion b/c I coudn't notify anyone of my predicament.  But certainly nothing including being surrounded by a huge crowd at an Event or a horse race can prevent every problem, and most rides are pretty uneventful.  Like you, I worry about problems when they happen.  It just happens that they happen fairly regularly around here.  LOL  It wasn't long ago (as I said in an earlier post) that I rode five miles each way alone on the trail to retrieve a horse who wouldn't get on the trailer.  Since then the area has changed and it's no longer safe to do that.  Kids in particular already have no fear and not enough miles in the saddle to predict what might come of their decisions.  A little caution couldn't hurt anyone.  Fun isn't fun unless we survive it to enjoy another day.

So to sum up my position:  RIDE!  Know your horse, and don't be stupid about taking a green horse out alone if you don't have to.  Ride with company if you can.  If you can't, then make sure everyone knows where you're going and when you plan on coming back.  Actually try to come home at the predicted time so friends and family can tell when you're late because you've had a problem and when you're late because you're just hanging out.  Keep a first-aid kit in your saddle bag with a couple of helpful repair items just in case.  And carry a cell phone.  If you need to use it, it'll be there.  

When I was in my teens and 20's I trail rode alone all the time, in the woods, at night, no cell phone, pepper spray, knife, etc. Just me bareback on a flighty Arabian. And all anyone knew was that I was "at the barn". What was I thinking??? Now, I'll only trail ride with someone else. When I start riding again after my knee is healed, I won't even ride in the arena at home if my husband is away from the property. When I fell off Chic in the arena, hubby was in the house and I called him with my cell. I had never had my cell with me in the arena before and decided to bring it that day so I would know what time it was. Weird. We both now take our cells out to the barn because anything can happen.

Scout's Mom:

When I was in my teens and 20's I trail rode alone all the time, in the woods, at night, no cell phone, pepper spray, knife, etc. Just me bareback on a flighty Arabian. And all anyone knew was that I was "at the barn".

 Ignorance is such a happy place, isn't it?  LOL I'm hoping eventually senility will give me a shortcut back there.  Could be sooner than later.  Couple more concussions, and I'll be well on my way.  LOLOL

JMFriedman:

 Ignorance is such a happy place, isn't it?  LOL I'm hoping eventually senility will give me a shortcut back there.  Could be sooner than later.  Couple more concussions, and I'll be well on my way.  LOLOL

Scout's Mom:

Kind of makes getting old not sound so bad. Now if the bones can keep up, we've got something!!

Scout's Mom, I've got some excellent news for you.  I'm one of the OTD clan--post-menopause, post-sharpei knees, pretty much post everything worthwhile--and I'm also less than a year post-chemo.  I just had a DEXA (bone density) scan done (had to; it's the law) and was nervous as the proverbial long-tailed cat in the room full of hypothetical rockers.  I was sure that even though I was good going in, chemo would have given my bones just the jolt they needed to make riding truly an extreme sport for me.  I've been avoiding anything that might land me on my butt/hip/shoulder/brain pan for fear that I'd break up.  Well, imagine my surprise when the results came back and my age-adjusted Z score put me off the scale--99th percentile--in my lumbar spine and 95th in my femurs.  The doctor asked me how I'd managed to increase my density almost two full points over my 58-yo scan.  The only thig I can think of is that I worked out, threw hay bales, and all that good stuff throughout chemo and started riding again the second my last treatment was over (even though I had braces all over my body to keep me upright while I did it).  

 So RIDE ON!  I think we horse girls have got something here.  Before long you'll not only forget everything that used to scare you, you'll have the bones of Ben Grimm to boot!  LOLOL

I ride a lone often.  Unfortunately, I don't have any trails, so ride along the roads.  I do carry a little zip pouch with the following:  Cell phone, whistle/compass combined (I'm teaching my horse to come to the whistle), one shoe lace (synthetic), sharp pocket knife, vet wrap, one bandana, small first aid kit (w/ bandaides - large sized, ibuprofine, betadine wipes), hoof pick.  I also have the emergency blanket that is just a silver sheet to wrap up in that is folded to a 3" x 2" packet, to hold in heat.  I clip this little pouch to my belt loop.  I wear a bright colored bandana and a light that blinks, (that clips onto my shirt) that I picked up at a health fair.  I have a little neoprene holder for a bottle of frozen water.  It stays nice and cold, no matter how hot the day.  This I clip to my saddle.  There is a product that I bought for my friend for Christmas.  It's called the Ankle Safe.  It valcroes to your leg.  It holds a cell phone, flash light and other goodies.  It's only about $20.00 and is pretty handy.  You can find it at:  www.longridersgear.com

    I always give people a general idea of where I'm gonna ride.  I have confidence in both myself and my horse.  I've only had her since February.  We've had our 6th ride away from the farm today.  We're getting to trust each other.  If you trust your horse and your horse trusts you, go for it.  You'll find that the more you do it, the more enjoyable it gets.  Sure, having someone to ride with is fun - usually.  But to enjoy the cloud formations, the bird song, and my thoughts and just being with my horse is really nice.

  I have found more and more people who ride, purely by accident.  If you start putting the word out, you'll find lots of riding partners.  You could post a notice at your vet's and the local feed store.  I'm sure before long, you'll have to have a callendar dedicated just to riding dates!

JMFriedman - Wow! It's great you managed to increase your densities, especially after chemo. I've heard that can be rough on bones. I drink at least 2 large glasses of milk daily. I've always loved it and the calcium is a bonus! Hopefully it's helping my bone densities. Of course you'd never think so, after the mess I made out of my knee in April. When the surgeon says I can start riding again, that'll be my cue to start tossing aroung hay bales, again!!

  Congrats on the excellent DEXA scan.  Keep up the good work.  Calcium + vit. D, weight bearing exercise, limit caffiene (it prevents calcium obsorption) are all great ways to help bones.  Since stress is hard on bones too, I feel as if horseback riding is also a great bone builder.  I feel such peace when I ride; either alone or in a group.  I'll take it any way I can get it.  If I had to wait for someone to ride with, I'd only be able to ride twice in the last 2 months.  Balloney!  I'll take my chances.

  Thanks Scouts Mom and Kumar!  SM, I envy you being able to drink that much milk.  I'm lactose-intolerant, so I'm stuck with soy milk, which isn't nearly as tasty.    I used to LOFF my milk! 

Kumar, I definitely hear you!  I don't get to trail ride much because I have no backup here at the farm so can't afford to get hurt out there alone.  But I'm making it a goal to get down there this year with or without friends.  I ride in the ring pretty much every day, but I really am a trail rider at heart.  Dressage is nice; getting whipped in the face by trees is even nicer.  

Joanne, I'm lactose-intolerant too, unfortunately, but haven't given up milk!  Instead, I take "Ultra Lactase" pills available OTC at Costco and other places.  They work like a charm!  Maybe you'd need to check w/your health care provider re would they be OK to take, but heck, there's nothing like cows' milk!

Mary 

From another lactose intolerant, try the Silk brand of soy milk if you can get it.  It's not like the real thing, but much nicer than any of the others I tried.  Lactase works great, but I find it hard on the wallet!

Squeaksmom, that's the brand I use!  In fact, I just switched to Zensoy, which has a slightly better flavor (IMHO).  I just miss the taste of a real milkshake.  LOL  It's been about 15 years or so, so you'd think I'd be done whining by now, woudn't you?

Pleeease Dont!   I used to have a different oppinion until recently.  I had all the safety equiptment but it really did no good.  I didnt hit my head when I fell,  I broke my ribs and back.  I tried to use my cel, but had no strength to really hold it to get a signal, plus, I couldn't even breathe enough to talk.  Thank Heavens I was riding with someone.  Her horse spooked too, but she was able to come back and find me.  More info on the fall @ "Loosing My Marbles".