This letter is from a NCSC member and she makes some very valid and important points. Please take a moment to read this and download and watch the video - it is worth the time.
I'm a member of Newton County Saddle Club. Due to the recent events involving a young woman on a hiking trail in N. Ga. over New Year's, while she wasn't riding a horse one is still vulnerable and safety issues should be of concern. I'd like to share with fellow members a video produced by a New York Policeman regarding protecting oneself on and off trails.
The web site is www.horsethink.com The video is a valuable source to learning self defense techniques while on or off your horse. If you go to this web-site there is a video clip on the left side. It is a bit unnerving to watch because you realize how vulnerable you really are.
While many ride together there are those who still ride alone. Just Sunday, Jan 6, 2008, Everyone remembers how absolutely gorgeous it was when just two days prior it was 35 degrees during the day with wind warnings. I and a friend were trail riding at GIHP. We witnessed a woman riding alone throughout the trail. We did in fact see her return but our concern had been two things. One, a horse could spook and she could fall and break a limb. For how long would she lay there before help would arrive. This is okay, riding alone in solitude is good for the soul and falling off could happen at home. Secondly, and this is the real concern. We saw a man walking ahead on the trail in a heavy coat (we were in tee-shirts). It was a brief sighting before he disappeared around a bend in the trail and our horses stopped. We could not get them to go forward. To the horses it was a bear or another kind of predator ready to attack.
While there is nothing wrong with walking or hiking these trails because GIHP has gone to great lengths to identify plants and trees for the hikers, this particular location is not exactly appealing to a hiker. I know, I'm a hiker. Anyone who walks or hikes regularly knows the clothing to wear in 65 degree temperature. While the sighting was brief we did take note he wasn't carrying a fishing pole to fish in the nearby Yellow River, his hands were in has coat pockets. Given what happened over New Years to the young woman in N. GA. Mtns. it was fresh on our minds and my young 18 year old friend suggested we should turn back and not take chances. I was impressed with the fact that she tried to make sense of what she saw and decided that man in that situation in that particular location didn't make sense and used good judgment to turn back.
Obviously, there are times you encourage your horse to go forward with caution and times you should listen to your horse. Our horses said turn around and make it snappy.
At some point one may find themselves alone with their horse. Having knowledge in self defense empowers you. I hope there is a way to get this link out to fellow members. It is obvious that not even a friendly 60 year old man with a sweet dog can be considered safe anymore.
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