I ride with a bright orange hunting vest on.  If I fall off, it won't be hard to find me.  It's light weight and has lots of pockets that Velcro shut.  I always carry a carrott or two, for when we take a break.  And I picked up a nice wool "bottle bag" at a Rendezvous, for my water bottle.  It fits in a pocket or ties to the saddle horn. That too is light weight but sturdy.

   I'd like to know who I could contact about the trail riding self defense class.  That would be a great one for the local 4-H'ers.

Yes, I trail ride alone.   Now that I am retired, I go to the Farm in the afternoon when everyone else is at work.  I know there are a lot that "could go wrong", but I try not to dwell on them.  If there is a new trail that I want to try (which there is at the moment), I would prefer to have someone go with me for the first time who is experienced with the trail.  Then, I will go by myself. 

 I do need to get more riding  buddies for my horses's sake.  He is so used to being by himself, he thinks the trails are his and when we infrequently come upon another rider, Mystery freaks.  Horses do need training in being by themselves as well as going  in a group. 

 I've never gone "off the Farm property" on a trail ride by myself with Mystery.   In that case, I want someone else I know nearby.  My "alone" rides are on trails that my horse is very familiar with--even though "things" can happen on those too.  Plus, my horse's pasture-mate, Pluto, yells for him the whole time we are gone.  He's the "radar" that gets Mystery back to his field!!

See "Need Prayers" post in the General Discussion forum.  I know a lot of you ride alone, but you can't use the phone if you are knocked out.... or worse. Be careful.

I know you're right but for some of us that means not riding at all. The best I can do is tell DH where I'm going and when I should be back... or leave a note.

janiert:

I know a lot of you ride alone, but you can't use the phone if you are knocked out.... or worse. Be careful.

This is true but just to keep things in perspective.  Driving alone can cause the same problems.  Especially around here where there are a lot of backroads that people don't drive frequently.  There is danger in everything you do, people die sleeping in their beds for that matter.  My motto is don't be scared but don't be stupid!

fastarab:

My motto is don't be scared but don't be stupid!

Although that being said, I should add that a little respectful fear is good sometimes

I prefer to ride alone, and do it all the time.  I, however, ride an Arabian and an not as young as I used to be.  On Easter Sunday I learned the importance of making wise decisions when riding alone.  On our neighborhood trails we have a couple of very challenging ravines with very steep and narrow trails up and down between them.  Usually my horse crosses with no problem, but this being early in the season he was giving me some trouble.  Now these ravines are back in the woods, quite a way from camp, and very difficult to get to.  He refused to cross the first ravine, so I got off and led him across.  We were good until I re-mounted on the steep upwards trail.  When he turned to go up there was a tree in the way.  It was either bail off or have my leg broken, so I chose the ground.  Luckily I had my helmet on-my Grandkids tell me I'm not allowed to ride without it-and landed on my butt.  My horse went on up the trail and waited on me at the top.  So I climbed the hill, remounted and we went back down and across the ravine with no problem.  My horse was fine, I'm a little sore but all in one piece.  But-had I paid more attention the whole incident could have been avoided.  I have been ordered not to do the ravines on my own anymore, which I agree might be a good idea at least until later in the season.  I always carry my cell phone in my pocket, and a very loud whistle, just in case. 

I have been riding by myself lately - my good friend and riding buddy has been ill and I can't seem to find anyone that wants to go and ride!  My husband goes with me - he doesn't ride, but he enjoys cooking out, so I go for a ride, come back to camp and we eat, then I will go out again.  I would rather have company, but heck, lately it's just me and my horse!  I do have my cell phone and he has his - I have an awesome horse and have been riding all my life.  I like to ride in our National Forest areas where I have ridden before so I sort of know all the trails.  I just got so tired of asking/begging and listening to all the excuses - I just gotta ride. So, I have to do what I have to do to make it work!   

If I waited for someone to ride with me. I would be lucky to ride once a month. Be safe, be careful, be prepared, have a good horse and have a good ride. Be sure several people know where you are and when you plan on being back. Be sure that everything you need to survive is attached to you and not your horse.

You should never ride alone even if u have a cell phone caz what if your horse spooked and you fell off and got nocked out. Then there would be nothing u could do.

I always ride alone- nobody to ride with. I guess I am kinda stupid- i dont own a cell phone, and ride bareback(with no helmet)- always. I used to use a helmet but my dog chewed it. So I am the poster child for stupidity on horseback.

Sierrasslave:

I always ride alone- nobody to ride with. I guess I am kinda stupid- i dont own a cell phone, and ride bareback(with no helmet)- always. I used to use a helmet but my dog chewed it. So I am the poster child for stupidity on horseback.

You sound just like me as a kid, lol. I was always jumping bareback and riding in flip flops. I had the best pony ever! I'm a little better now, but I still hop on bareback with no helmet on occasion (did it yesterday). But the majority of the time I'm properly equipped. I feel like as long as you tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back trail riding alone has to be ok. Its way to hard to always find someone to go with you. Just be sure the trails are well established and the footing is ok.

I'm always having to ride alone. Either the schedules don't mesh, or the other person weenies out.  So I ride alone 98% of the time.  I don't use a helmet - I've seen lots of crashes, but haven't seen one where a helmet would have made a difference.  I even knew one lady who had to have facial reconstruction - in spite of her helmet.  As far as having a good horse - well I just did x-rays on a man who had a really good horse who just happened to fall.  That collar bone was sure enough broken.  No-one's fault.  I also know of motor cycle riders who are careful and still end up dead, people driving cars who end up dead and my brother who was a reall good guy who died of leukemia.  Stuff happens.  No matter how careful you are.  You can't stop living, just because of the "what if's" and "might happen's".  I'll take my chances and enjoy my life and my horse. (who bye the way, is the Pretties Girl In The Whole Wide World - at least to me.)

I was just near a girl (chaperoning) who fell off and Thank God she had her helmet on.  Her helmet cracked MAJORLY yet she was alright!  She was taken to the hospital to be checked out, and she walked away without even a concussion. The doctors in the ER kept the helmet as an example of what can happen when you where a helmet.  So helmets do make a difference.  That is why they are now rated and why the ratings expire after so many years. 

 I on the other hand have fallen off without a helmet, and within 1/2 hour went into a grand mal seizure.  And as I laid on the ground, I prayed to God that I wasn't going to be another Christopher Reeves.  Yeah, stuff happens, but I would rather help my chances out.  And yes, I let my 14 year old daughter ride alone, but with a helmet and a cell phone and AFTER she lets others know when and where she is going. 

FCP- I am glad I'm understood!!! The trails I ride are in good condition, with the best footing imaginable- even if I fell, no matter where I landed I would be five minutes from somebody's house- and I know all of the people!