I am going to take my horse on a trail ride but...?

Question

there is a bear in out area. any advice if i meet it or how to not meet it?

Answer 1

Carry a can of bear mace just in case...(can be found at most outdoors stores) Careful using it around your horse..I would just use it if I had been thrown from my horse and in immediate danger..you dont' want to accidentally spray your horse with this stuff.
but generally make alot of noise, sing, jingle bells, can of rocks, etc..bears are shy creatures and will avoid contact with humans. (wouldn't you?) :-)
pay attention to your horse too, I had a horse refuse to go into an area...after I calmed her down and got her to go there, we found evidence that a bear had a den there...esp if your horse is bomb proof..if you have a spooky horse that isn't much evidence...but if your "bomb proof" horse starts acting that way..feel free to listen to him/her and go a different direction.
Don't believe that a bear wont be in a well traveled area that others have mentioned..my bear encounter was in a very well traveled area...that's where its den was..and all the tree markings..same thing.
but we never saw it because we listened to our horses, and we made tons of noise.
also, don't take a dog with you..dogs can aggrivate and challenge bears (barking at them etc)..and you NEVER want to aggrivate a bear.

Answer 2

Stay with a group of people, don't go by yourself-- a bear will be more timid and less likely to attack a large group of trampleing horses! As for this bear-- where has it been most recently sighted? Has it caused any damage? Be careful and very aware if you are riding in the areas it has more recently been sighted. Stay on the main trail and don't wander deep into the woods where a bear might make a den. Try and even stay on the edge of the woods, on the side of a dirt road etc...or go in a field ( watch out for holes! )

Last but NOT least, if you see any cubs BOOK IT! The mother will no doubt be close by and if she thinks your messing with her cubs, all hell will break loose. I'm sure horses are faster than bears although bears can go pretty fast, just make sure you are always aware and have people on the lookout.

good luck and have fun =)

Answer 3

Meeting bears is tricky: advice? Keep an eye out for a mother with cubs,since this time of year bears are hungry and rather bad tempered.especially about their babies. Have an escape route planned in case you find yourself near one. Horse hooves make a lot of noise,and your horses hearing is your best alert if a bear is near and downwind.Avoid noisemakers for the same reason>you need your horses hearing at its best. Leave snacks and all food at home,and most impotent! Bears are usually near water where the food is best. So.. avoid creeks and rivers. Bear scent just plain scares most horses greatly unless they are used to it. So put your cell phone on a belt clip or a pocket you are wearing, in case you are dumped . If your off and need help, a whistle of plastic is great:it signals people to come quick. If you are part of a riding club like back country horseman, follow their protocol, and do not whistle unless injured or needing help. Code: 1 long whistle= I need help! 2 short whistles=all is well /found/come.

Answer 4

To avoid meeting it, which I'm sure is what you really want to do, just make a lot of noise. Take a loud radio, a cow bell, or a can with rocks inside. The more noise you make, the less chance you have of running into it.

Also, pay close attention to how your horse acts. If he begins to spook, you should know that something is in the area. Horses are very keen to bears.

Answer 5

That's funny to me as i live in England and only worry about the weather but of course quite dangerous. you should be safe if you go in a group. Make sure your horse is completely safe with loud noises and big brown things. practice turning your horse round unexpectedly( but calmly) and heading back. Also become acostamed with the route on foot to check for any areas that are very open, any places you can lead your horse back to in a bad situation. Talk to other people who have ridden this patha nd see if any of them have run into this bear and if they have how many in the group, what did they do and how did their horses react. Hope this helped! Hope you have fun!

Answer 6

I guarentee if your horse smells a bear chilling in the woods, hang the hell on for dear life!! Flight mode will kick in, horses didn't survive centuries by hanging out waiting to get eaten by bears.

So your best bet is to pay attention to your horse, if it's acting spooky, it's acting that way for a reason!

Answer 7

You probably won't meet it. Bears are generally timid, and will hear you coming. Stay on well travelled trails.

Answer 8

You will be fine, if its constantly traveled bears never go near it...they keep to themselves unless provoked...and if its a black bear then you have even more of a reason to not worry, you are fine

Answer 9

You wont see it if they sence you they'll be long gone.I ride the river bottom.I heard theres wild bore down there.Been here 7 yrs. been going down there that long to not yet seen one.