RIDE
ALONE-BE AWARE!
By SUSAN
DUDASIK
For me,
one of the best things about attending an equine expo is returning
home jazzed up about the new things I’ve learned. Well,
I’ve just returned from Horse Affairs 2004 in Boise, Idaho,
where I observed a very different type of equine demonstration.
It was basically geared toward women and covered a topic I,
like many, never really thought about. So, ladies, what would
you do if you were riding alone and a suspicious man was blocking
your path? The most common answers are, run him over, kick out
at him or hit him with a crop. Would you be surprised to learn
that all three answers are wrong! The demonstration I watched
was Self-Defense for Trail Riders, presented by Scot Hansen
and his assistant, Sandy Siegrist, and was one of the best,
most informative classes I’ve ever seen. As a retired mounted
police officer, Hansen teaches riders how to recognize possible
human predators on the trails and how to avoid and defeat an
attack. He also instructs them on how to prepare their horses
for the unexpected, how to use the horse to their advantage
and how to handle various obstacles.
During
the class, Hansen asked the audience what they would do if approached
and most answered with the above. Then, Hansen demonstrated
how easily he could overcome those methods. Most people assume
their horse would run over an attacker. “But,” exclaimed
Hansen, “haven’t you spent years teaching your horse
not to step on or push people? So why would he step on an attacker?”
So much for Plan A! The next answer was to kick out at the attacker.
At this point, Siegrist, mounted on a large paint stallion,
demonstrated how she would kick. Hansen calmly grabbed her leg,
pushing upward. He could have easily flipped her out of the
saddle. There goes Plan B! As for hitting him with a crop, reins
or rope, it only took Hansen a split second to grab Siegrist’s
arm as she swung downward. Now she was tipped out of the saddle
and out of balance. He was able to use her momentum to bring
her out of the saddle. Scratch Plan C!
So, what’s
the best thing to do if you’re approached? First, when
you see the person, wake your horse up. Ask him to trot a few
steps, sidepass or simply walk faster. Get his attention, be
active. This lets the person know you’ve seen him and are
in control. Next, and most important, is not to let the person
close enough to touch you or your horse. How often has a stranger
asked to pet your horse and you’ve allowed them to approach?
It’s your biggest mistake. Don’t be polite, keep strangers
away. According to Hansen, the best defense is to LOUDLY state,
“Stop! Stay away.” As you say that, raise your hand,
palm up, giving the universal sign to stop. Most reasonable
people will heed your warning. A predator might keep coming,
asking why he can’t pet your horse. While you’re thinking
of an answer, this diversion allows him time to get up next
to you. If that person asks why he can’t pet your horse,
Hansen advises coming up with anything to keep him at bay, “My
horse kicks, he bites, he doesn’t like men with green shirts,
…” Loudly giving this type of warning alerts others
of your situation.
Throughout
the clinic, Hansen offered a variety of defensive techniques
on how to avoid being approached and what to do if someone actually
gets a hold of you. He also demonstrated how to keep your horse
between yourself and an attacker if you’re on the ground.
Hansen’s class covered too many techniques for one article,
but you can read more about them on his website, www.HorseThink.com
or check out his Self-Defense for Trail Riders video. Hansen
also gives hands-on clinics which cover self-defense techniques
as well as groundwork, riding and sensory training which are
based on natural horsemanship practices.
I usually
don’t endorse a particular trainer or clinic in my articles,
but I feel the knowledge gained from viewing one of Hansen’s
demonstrations, clinics or the video is something that has been
needed for a long time, especially if you’re a female who
rides alone.
archives
Susan Dudasik
Shadow Rider Equine News
srider@salmoninternet.com
Member: Idaho Press Club
North American Saddle Mule Association
