I'm fairly new to this forum and was reading about riding alone.  I appreciate the good suggestions and comments regarding trailriding and safety.  I just wanted to mention that I would occassionally go to the barn alone and ride (while I was training our 4-year old paint gelding).  However, one day as I was riding he turned directions on me and I came off the horse.  Coming off wasn't that big of a deal because I've come off many of horses (ha), but it scared him and when he took off to run he stepped on my stomach.  I could not even get my breath to call for help and I could not move.  Fortunately, there were people there that day and were able to call an ambulance and so forth.   I do feel that we shouldn't take unnecessary risk while we are alone riding.  And please always have your cell phone just in case.  But when I think what could have happened if I was alone that day, I realize how fortunate I was.  I know that there is always a risk with horses, even when we are with other people, so I'm being extra careful these days with my new horse (after 1 1/2 years later) I can't afford another accident (ha!).  I just never dreamed that something that tragic would happen to me, but it did.     I did learn from this incident and realize that I needed to learn to ride better and to be more aware of what my horses are ready and not ready to do.   

Be careful and have fun!

OMG,

You are so very lucky!  You are right that we all need to be careful on the trail.  We got my youngest a cell for that very reason, that when she and her friends are out on the trail, at least one of them has a cell at all times.  Granted it is a pay as you go cell, but it still has GPS and great service.  (And it really ticks her older brother off - but when he goes nowhere and does nothing, well, he doesn't need a cell, then does he?) 

But I certainly agree.  Many a foxhunter goes out anymore with their cell phone, just in case!

you are not crazy to go out alone.  it's fine to do if you aren't doing anything too wacky, and you wear a helmet, which you do.  i ride alone at times (it's that or not ride at all, you see), and where i ride it can be pretty isolated.  i carry a cellphone strapped to my leg or arm w/those neopreme holders. you prolly know this, but don't put your cell phone in your saddle bag (in case you get separated from your horse).   my helmet has my name and info in it.  my horse has the same info in my saddlebag or on the saddle if i'm not using a saddlebag.  if you can, let someone know when and where you're headed (even a note on the stall door).  if it's hot where you ride bring water.  truly the only scary thing that's ever happened to me trail riding was a time when i got dehydrated but didn't realize it (i must confess that i'm more of a beer drinker than a water drinker).  in the summer i force myself to drink water now, before, during and after rides.

 i also carry the following with me: twine (like the kind around a bale of hay).  can be used to rig a halter or bridle if something breaks.  swiss army knife (do not leave home without it!).  compass (don't really need it but what the heck).  folding hoof pick.  little high powered flashlight. 

 have fun!  hope you get that access issue resolved.  trail riding is so good for people and horses.

 jo

I have ridden alone and with friends for years.  It is only now at age 58 that I have a helmet that I wear when riding green horses. In Southwest Colorado, I horse packed for 15 plus years until I moved to Steamboat Springs at age 54.  I would take 2 horses, my 38 pistol and did not even have a cell phone, although I would not be without one now, even on our acreage. I started taking my kids when the youngest was 6, the girls were 8 and 10. I was a single mom. The kids all love the outdoors and feel comfortable, now 24, 26, 28 years old. Be prepared, tell someone where you are going and when you will return, and live life! Wendinni

  I LOVE your post for several reasons!  Number one, it made me smile on a very gloomy day!  (we are getting a noreaster!)  Number two, you are still riding at the age of 58, where I can bearly move - seriously - at the of 43 (rheumatoid arthitis) But Number three, this is what really made me smile, you ride with a 38!   LOVE IT!  Gotta respect a fellow woman whose friends are a horse and a gun, and not a man!  She knows her outlook in life!  Wish we lived closer, I am sure that we would be good friends!  Kristen

can i ask your advice?  i was wondering if you carry a gun in case you need to put a horse down?  when i was about 12 i was on a two week country horsepacking trip and a horse broke her leg when it was kicked (by her own daughter).  it was a devistating injury and the only thing to be done was to put her down.  her owner had his shotgun and did so.  he'd had that horse since it was a foal. i cannot imagine how it would have gone that poor mare had he not had his firearm. that event made a huge impression has always stuck with me.

so...after some 40 years in the saddle, i finally bought my first horse trailer.  we plan to do a horse camping.  nothing extreme or too far from civilization, at least not until we know what we're doing, but my dl and i are discussing if should we get a gun in case something like that happens. i've never owned a firearm, prolly never would...except that i keep wondering if i should in case something like that happens on one of our trips. 

 i'd love to hear your thoughts on this, and from anyone else on the board who can give me advice in this regard.

 jo

Mary, I trail ride alone,because I want to ride. I am lucky to have a very good horse. The things that I take with me besides a cell phone, are a whistle with a compass, duct tape, vet wrap, a can of bee/wasp spray, plenty of water, asprin, and flour. The flour in case of a bad cut, it disolves in the system and helps stop the bleeding. I also have the throw away towels that I stick in my pack.

I had a bad accident 4 years ago and laid there for 2 hours before someone came along. That was just out in the pasture and the phone was in the barn. Couldn't walk so that didn't help. My point, accidents can happen any time and any where. We just need to be careful and use good judgement. It will not stop me from riding. Live to ride!

Vickie

jo:

can i ask your advice?  i was wondering if you carry a gun in case you need to put a horse down?  when i was about 12 i was on a two week country horsepacking trip and a horse broke her leg when it was kicked (by her own daughter).  it was a devistating injury and the only thing to be done was to put her down.  her owner had his shotgun and did so.  he'd had that horse since it was a foal. i cannot imagine how it would have gone that poor mare had he not had his firearm. that event made a huge impression has always stuck with me.

so...after some 40 years in the saddle, i finally bought my first horse trailer.  we plan to do a horse camping.  nothing extreme or too far from civilization, at least not until we know what we're doing, but my dl and i are discussing if should we get a gun in case something like that happens. i've never owned a firearm, prolly never would...except that i keep wondering if i should in case something like that happens on one of our trips. 

 i'd love to hear your thoughts on this, and from anyone else on the board who can give me advice in this regard.

 jo

There's a whole, huge post somewhere on here about this very subject that I'm sure would really help you - anybody remember what it was called?  Seems like it might have been inside another post. . .  where are those pills, you know, the ones that are supposed to be good for my memory? 

jo:

i was wondering if you carry a gun in case you need to put a horse down?

I always carry a gun when trailering horses in anticipation of a major accident. BUT... unless the horse was in excruciating pain, I'd probably still wait for a vet to arrive and do humane euthanasia.

 On the trail, state and local gun laws would apply, so it's hard to make that call. Plus, what do you do with your dead horse on somebody else's land? Do you leave it on the trail to rot or have somebody come in with a backhoe and haul it out? Depending upon the terrain, it may be possible to get the horse out with an ambulance trailer hooked to a large ATV and THEN euthanize, if necessary. Explore ALL the options first.

Overall, I'd imagine some serious deliberation of the individual circumstances would be necessary in each situation. But don't get nailed with a gun law violation in addition to losing your horse. ~FH

FloridaHorseman:

Overall, I'd imagine some serious deliberation of the individual circumstances would be necessary in each situation. But don't get nailed with a gun law violation in addition to losing your horse

thanks for the food for thought.  my owning a firearm is a long shot.  i think it warrants consideration, but i haven't gotten farther than that.   to me it would be like a catastrophic health insurance policy - only to be used for dire emergencies.  

jo

I trail ride alone often.  I am in my mid 50's and have ridden most of my life.  I run a boarding facility and there are days when I just want it to be me and my horse out there -- no cell phone, no trail riding buddy.  Although I often ride with others too :).

I recently hosted a Self Defense for Trail Riders clinic which I would recommend for any trail rider of any age.  It was a real eye opener.

That Self Defense for Trail Riders course sounds very useful. Is it something that barn owners can host for their boarders? Or local riding clubs etc?

boettkd:

I recently hosted a Self Defense for Trail Riders clinic which I would recommend for any trail rider of any age.  It was a real eye opener.

boettkd:

there are days when I just want it to be me and my horse out there -- no cell phone, no trail riding buddy

 I ride alone all the time.  I wear a helmet, and usually let someone know where I plan to ride.  I am more concerned with someone stealing my rig while I am out riding than I am about anything else..

I used to Trail ride alone all the time when I had my gelding Pete, he had no problem with it (some horses are more herd bound etc) and I never thought twice about it. That was 12 years ago and of course I'm a bit older now (just a little ) but I still think I will once I get my filly ready. I love the peace and solitude of it! Taking the cell is always a good idea provided you can get a signal!