Conference noted::equitation

1975.0. "chased by loose horses !!" by MTWASH::DOUGLAS (chills, thrills, flying circus!) Tue May 30 1995 09:35

    Hi Noters,
    
    *** this is a long note ***
    
    A very scary thing happened to me this weekend! While I was
    out riding alone on my stallion I passed a field that had
    2 horses and a pony in it. The 1 strand of old rusty electric
    wire on rotten wooden posts did not keep the horses from 
    escaping.
    
    I happened to look up as I was walking by because the horse
    nickered to my horse. As I looked across the road, one horse
    was coming right towards us and crossing the road! I thought
    to myself, I am going to die today.
    
    I started screaming to the first motorist that was approaching
    to please help me. He kind of stared at me in shock. Can't say
    that I blame him, my horse was dancing all over the road and
    non horse people don't know how to handle situations like this.
    
    The owner of the horses must have heard me screaming because he
    came out and was half heartedly trying to catch the horse. I
    alerted him that I was on a stallion. He replied that the mare
    was in heat which is why she came after him. 
    
    I was trying to whip the mare away from us, but I had a short 
    crop and couldn't reach her. In the meantime, cars are stopped
    on both sides of the road and the other horse and pony came 
    after us also. The gelding looked like he wanted to fight my
    stallion and the pony just wanted to greet us.
    
    The pony darted across the road and a car just avoided hitting
    the pony and almost hit another car as he swerved. The owner 
    said "stay here a minute, I want to get some of this traffic
    out of the way". (in my mind, I am thinking the heck with the
    traffic, I am in deep sneakers here!).
    
    I said to him,"I can't stay here, my horse is half out of his
    mind and if I get off or fall off of this horse, we are all
    dead meat!" He kind of half laughed. I said,"I am not kidding,
    this is a very serious situation".  
    
    Just to let you noters know, my stallion is great under saddle 
    and well behaved in the company of other horses other than
    one incident in 7 years which was more my fault than his. But this 
    may have been the first time that he was ever faced with a loose mare 
    standing right in front of him asking to be bred while I was 
    sitting on him. A stallion can only take so much and he was getting
    very aggitated.
    
    The owner came over and tried to grab my horse by the noseband, I guess
    thinking that he would calm him down, but my horse absolutely
    freaked and started running backwards down a small hill. I said
    "please don't touch him, just get your horses". 
    
    The female owner came out of the house, and I said "can you please
    grab that horse" and I looked down, she was barefoot! She said
    "well I am trying to". I told the male owner he had better have
    proper fencing the next time I ride by there.
    
    As soon as I could make my escape, I galloped at full tilt 2 miles
    home on my 23 year old unconditioned horse. I prayed that he would
    not have a heart attack or colic. After I got him hosed down and 
    cooled off I called the police.
    
    They came to my house. I explained what happened and that luckily
    none of the horses or myself got killed. I asked what the law was
    on horses at large and he did not know. I also said that the horses
    were in poor condition. He said that I should call the NH equine
    regarding that, since it is not in their jurisdiction.
    He then went over to talk to the owners. 
    
    I called the NH Equine and explained the incident and that the
    horses were in poor condition. They were not starving but definitely
    lean and had big tufts of winter coats hanging off them. The woman
    said that there is no statute for horses to have proper fences
    other than stallions, and since I was on a stallion, that is a
    risk that I take. She said she would have someone take a look at
    them or she will talk to the officer that handled the case. Since
    the horses weren't starving, there might not be much she could do.
    
    I agree that there is a big risk riding a stallion at shows or
    on trails with other horses, especially mares, but never in my
    dreams did I think I would come across loose horses chasing me!
    
    Now I am afraid to ride by there ever again, which cuts me off
    from some great trails. Is there anything I can do to protect my
    horse and myself? I feel like asking the owners if they need help
    re-fencing the paddock.
    
    Thanks for letting me vent,
    Tina
                           
    

    
    Tina,
    
    I'm very sorry to here about your ride.  That sounds very scary.  I
    have the same trouble from time to time in my town.  There is a lady
    who teaches lessons and she has a bunch of horses she leaves  tacked
    up in her yard (unattended) when I go ride by, they all run after
    me - so I know how you feel, my heart is in my throught every time.
    
    I dont know about NH, but in Mass there has been nothing I can do
    to make this lady tie her horses and untack the poor things between
    riding lessons.
    
    Good luck and be careful.
    
    Louisa

    That's REALLY scary - especially where the owners were somewhat
    "lighthearted" about the danger of the situation, especially
    to you.  
    
    I'd still be shaking in my boots!  I've been chased by dogs,
    but never another horse.  My neighbor had a terrier that
    flew out of nowwhere like a shot everytime I rode by.  He barked
    like crazy, and usually always succeeded in scaring my horse.
    One day, he shot out, and my horse reared straight up out of
    fear.  It was only after that incident that she made any effort
    to keep the mutt under control.
    
    But that doesn't even come close to what I'd be feeling in
    your situation.  The trouble seems to be that nobody wants
    to bother to take any action.  There should be adequate
    fencing for any animals, and especially large animals!
    
    With any luck, these people will get a clue and build a
    real fence.
    
    g