Trail riding wildlife- what should I do?

M

maddy

New member
Okay so I switched to a pasture boarding place last tuesday (in the middle of nowhere)- and I've been trail riding three times since I got here. On saturday oct.3- I went riding with my old riding instructor and we saw a HUGE bear on our way home. On sunday- me and my friend went and didn't see anything. Last night me and my friend went (tuesday night)- and there was a pack of about 7 wolves howling only a couple metres away from us. It was almost pitch black. We were riding bareback (riding with halters and two lead ropes), and we came around a corner and our horses like DEAD stoped. So we made them walk (we didn't see anything). then when we walked by a driveway on the road, and there was a truck/trailer pulling out, so we relaxed and thought they just heard that. No. We went down to the very end of the corner- and all of a sudden we heard one howl, we thought it was a dog, so we stopped to listen because we wanted to hear better. All of a sudden, long, drawn out howls from about 7 huge wolves were a few metres away from us hidden in the bush. So we were like "lets go home- fast!". We'd never heard wolves or even seen one so were were like trying not to totally blow our cool. So we turn around and start trotting like standardbreds in a race- but I'm in two point holding onto the mane bareback and we almost cantered down the road but I made my horse slow, and then he lurched forward and I almost fell off because I was trying to grab the lead rope and turn him too. There also are many cougars in the area that DO attack horses and humans. There was an incedent a few weeks ago when horses were standing in a field and a cougar was in the tree above the horse, pounced on the horse and took it down and the horse had huge major wounds and flesh hanging off it's back so they had to put it down (the horse). The guy's field i'm renting told me last night that he's seen many cougars, and many wolves, as well as bears. I go trail riding in bushes with really tall trees- so what do I do if one day I come across a cougar, bear, and the wolves again? I've been trying to take people with me, but I know that it might not always be possible. I have to walk for 30minutes along a long country road and go down a long dirt road with no body on it to get to the show facility I will start taking lessons at. On the road where the wolves were, is the road I have to go down to get to the stables. It is also where all of the trails are.
So- what do I do in the presense of a cougar (large!), a bear, and a pack of wolves? I haven't seen one deer which means the predators are eating big time! I am totally paranoid to go out alone, and I don't ever want to. Now I am nervous because there is a pack of howling wolves on the prowl, cougars around, and huge bears in the bushes! What should I do?
 
I'm with Sadie on this one. I guess when I was a bit younger riding bareback at night living an area prone to bear, wolves and large cats might have seemed like an okay idea.... My advise is, anything outside of a secure space is tacking up time! Your horse is designated a prey animal and as such is pretty good at figuring out when something is trying to eat him, so in any situation, especially one where he can see and you can't, I think I would trust his judgment. The only time I can think of that it's ok to run home ;) Anyways to answer your question...... You do nothing, don't put yourself in the situation in the first place.. You have a responsibility to your own safety as well as your horse. Now that you know whats out there, find a better time and or place to ride. Then be thank full the situation did not turn out as badly as it could have. Best of luck to you, truthfully the minute I found out my neighborhood had turned into and African Safari, the for sale sign would be up in the front yard!!!! I won't deal with that stuff walking to my car let alone horseback ;) You are a much braver girl than me. I would be trying to figure out how to get the horse in the house with me after the bear!! Hehe ;)
 
First off, if you are in a place where this type of wild life is always around or potential for them to be spotted it would be wise to ride during daylight hours and with full tack, it does not matter how good a rider you are, riding bareback at night in the area that you describe is not the safest practise. Riding with a buddy or two or three is another good safety measure. The more there are the less likely to meet up with a Predator. It is the cougars that I would be most concerned about, they can be very crafty. Bears are usually scavengers, rather than attackers with the exception of mothers With cubs they tend to leave humans alone, unless startled or provoked, but if you are from this area then you probably know the wildlife and its habits better than I do. Carry a cell phone with you. If you have to go to the lesson barn in the dark, either use a trailer, or cancel the trips till the daylight hours are longer...it is your safety that is most important.
 
My main thing would be not to worry! I don't think a wolf would take on your horse, they tend to stick to chickens and sheep and the sort. As far as I know, bears tend to keep to themselves and depending what breed, you have to do different things - some breeds you throw your arms up and make noise, some you just sweet talk until you can get a safe distance away - but in saying that, I'm not an expert, that's about the most information I can give you.

As for the cougars, I believe they only attack a horse on its own. And tend to linger in areas that are 100% quiet, most of the time. They also only tend to attack if they can get on a horses back as a horse will kick and run - as the same for dogs or any other attacker they might encounter.

1. Keep riding in groups, I wouldn't go out riding at all on my own even right now and there are NO trees on my entire agistment that are taller than the horses, there are shrubs and one small tree but the large branches end about 150cm from the ground.

2. Have you been riding in the dark most of the time? That wolf incident happened when there was very little light so I would say just ride in day light. I don't think wolves will attack more than one horse either, especially if you're on its back and make a bit of noise (though I can't say I'm positive) but like I said, they tend to favour the smaller animals.

3. My friend (as I live in Australia) has to do stock work on her horses in pitch black sometimes and even without the dark, she has to deal with foxes, kicking kangaroos, snakes etc. She carries a shotgun in a sling on her saddle and a small spade head on the other side. She's also had to deal with wild dogs, feral cats etc. If it's possible, a shotty could be a good idea, though I don't think this would be the best for you from the sounds of it.

4. As for going to the show grounds, consider hiring a float or trailer or getting a float with a friend who might be going there the same day (then, you can split the cost of hiring one if need be). It might cost you a little, but what's the cost on your's or your horse's life. Just take the safest measure if you are extremely concerned about cougars and the like.

The only other thing I could suggest is perhaps contacting your local wildlife office to find out what you should do, they would definitely have more information and possibly an alternate route that didn't include overhanging trees etc. Hope this helps and I really wish you good luck, I've had huge brown snake troubles with my dear little pony and he almost got really hurt. One bite deals the same amount of damage as a scratch from a big cat, trust me, I've seen it. (:
 
My suggestions is this;

1) DO NOT ride by yourself ever, even when you don't think that there is wildlife around whether it be night or day.

2) Dont go trail riding in the dark without a flashlight and tack!

3) Go to your local camping store and but a bear bell or a craft store and buy a big bell. If your horse will allow you attach it to his/her, halter/bridal so when your horse steps the bell will jungle. Also when you are riding, talk to your friend and make lots of noise to scare of any animals.

4)If possiblle ride on a different trail. Avoid the one with the wildlife on it!

As for cougars I do not know because I have never encountered them on trail rides before.

If this is a regular thing happening where you are boarding I would think about changing barns. Just when you leave (if you decied to leave) assure the person you were boarding with that it wasnt him/her or any of the other boarders (if there are any) but it was the fact that with the amount of trail riding that you do, you just didnt find it safe with all of the wildlife that you keep seeing.

I find that when I am on trail rides that I dont see alot of carnivorous wildlike. I usually see dear, bunnies and the occasional snake.

P.S. When a horse stops and wont go on it usually means that something it fears is near by. One day I was riding outdoors and all of the horses in the one field came tearing up towards the fence by the ring. They stopped dead turned back towards the field and started snorting and whinniing. My horse started spinning and rearing up. The barn dog went tearing off into the field barking and all hair on end! About 5 minutes later a deer went running through the field and a bear was chasing it! Horses are very sensitive creatures and know when stuff like this is going to happen!

Best of luck with the wildlife!
 
Hmm luckily in australia, we don't have wildlife like that, only dingos and rabbits and stuff. just dont go at night thenn?
 
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