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Self defense on the trail

69K views 209 replies 128 participants last post by  gunslinger 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
A very helpful video posted on another forum that I think everyone should watch, especially younger riders.


Moderators note...
The link given no longer works...sorry.
 
#27 ·
Indy gets nasty when people try to get in her face when she is being ridden unless I tell her to chill or she knows the person so when we finally are fit enough to trailride together i think we will be good. Also I have pretty good aim with a crop.
 
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#28 ·
That's a great video. IMHO, nobody can ever know too much about self defense in every situation, especially women. I am a thorough believer in taking rape-defense classes and at least some of any form of martial art where they teach you how to punch without breaking your hand and where are the best places to kick (balls aren't always the best choice, especially if the attacker is high on dope).
 
#30 ·
My mom and I took a rape defense class, which was great. At the end, we had a "test" in which the two police officers who were teaching it got all dressed up in safety gear so we could beat them up, and "attacked" us from behind. I was surprised to see, being a fairly timid person, how my survival instinct kicked in even though I knew it wasn't real. That coupled with what they'd taught us was very effective even with two of them. I think it's a great idea to take some kind of class at least once a year so it stays fresh.
 
#32 ·
I feel pretty fortunate to have had the Navy SEAL in my life-invaluable knowledge. Also fortunate (or not, depending on the day....) to have super sensitive observant horses. I swear they hear things miles away, and I have learned to watch them and pay attention! Sharpen your other senses..I think when we are out on a trail, lolling along, chatting with friends we are probably the most vulnerable. Not paying attention, horses not as keen (they tend to rely on each other more)...just all ads up, IMO. My new guy hasn't proven himself yet, but the old guy-totally., I listen to him. If he says not to go, we don't. We find another way. He has yet to be wrong.
 
#33 ·
My dad encouraged us girls to wrestle with our brothers when we were younger. One day someone he knew grumbled that it wasn't very lady like and they would never let their daughters do that. He replied something along the lines of. "Well what will they do if some creep ever grabs them, faint or scream? Because it is lady like?"
When my brother got older he took some self defense classes and when he got home everynight he took me and showed me how to do the moves.
When i got older my boyfriend was super protective until he saw me put some carnival guy who grabbed my friends arm on the ground then he started relaxing a bit about me going places without him.
 
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#35 ·
Great post!

mliponoga-Not all hunters are like that, so it isn't fair to group them together. I have hunted, but we had a "dry" camp and we never dreamed of having alcohol there. Yes, it sucks when what you were trying to get is spooked off, but thats part of hunting. If you trail ride in an area that is hunted in, you are better off either a)wearing safety colours of red/orange/yellow or wear something else bright coloured like lime or neons. b) put safety colours on your horse to help ensure it isnt mistaken for a deer/elk/moose/bear. c)dont ride in that area during hunting season. Personally, when growing up, I preferred NOT to go anywhere near the woods during the season just in case. You ever know where a stray bullet is going to come from and hurt you or your horse.
 
#48 ·
Great post!

mliponoga-Not all hunters are like that, so it isn't fair to group them together. I have hunted, but we had a "dry" camp and we never dreamed of having alcohol there. Yes, it sucks when what you were trying to get is spooked off, but thats part of hunting. If you trail ride in an area that is hunted in, you are better off either a)wearing safety colours of red/orange/yellow or wear something else bright coloured like lime or neons. b) put safety colours on your horse to help ensure it isnt mistaken for a deer/elk/moose/bear. c)dont ride in that area during hunting season. Personally, when growing up, I preferred NOT to go anywhere near the woods during the season just in case. You ever know where a stray bullet is going to come from and hurt you or your horse.


Bold is mine. :) While hunting season is on here, we use horse-safe paints in very loud colors (blaze orange, hot pink, lime green...) and completely cover the horses. Makes for some very interesting pasture scenes, but we went from having an "accident" at least once or twice a season, to none at all since we started painting them. So a little blow to their egos well worth it. :)
 
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#37 ·
I can't believe I've never thought that this could happen. How could I be so foolish? I should really take these videos seriously because I'm a very young trail rider and I like to ride alone. There are some creepy people out there meaning that I should always be aware. This is kinda scary to think about. It could happen at any time. Lets stay safe on the trails everyone. :D
 
#40 ·
Awesome, I usually ride with my husband but there are occasions I'm alone. I know Kalila would help out she is protective, don't want to share me, but Mariah is well trained and may not be have to show hubby, a new training session I think. i have friends where we ride alone, 3 women, in the reserve, probably a good tool, thanks.
 
#42 ·
wow that was really informative and looking back on everything.....when we used to go on trail rides my old BO would make us dismount and show off our horses to people walking on the ground. She said we were being "Good equine advocates" looking back and realizing that could have turned into one of the most dangerous situations we put ourselves into : /

I'm definately gonna have to remember these moves just in case.
 
#44 ·
I should have thought about trail safety a lot sooner than this. Sometimes when I'm on the trails I'll forget that the world is full of some creepy people who will do some strange and bad things. I don't know what I would've done if someone tried to steal my horse on the trail before this video shared a lot of advice with me. I guess being a beginner means making big mistakes and learning from them and others. I'll be sure to take these videos seriously for now on.
 
#45 ·
Thanks for posting this, and it reminds me that I am too trusting. In the first scene in the video where the man walks up to the horse she should have kicked on and got away from him. I have a tendancy to not want people to think badly of me, so I would have done as she did, and done nothing.
So this is a good reminder, thanks.
 
#49 ·
I haven't been threatened on the trail, though I am pretty sure I know what would happen:

Sherman would probably freakout and step on him.
Ace would probably step on him or bite him.
Sammy would probably attack him.
 
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