Self Defense for a Rider on Trail
Hi, I'm Patty Fiedler, Mounted Patrol Instructor. Today, I'm going to give you some tips for self-defense on the trail. What we want to do is show you some techniques that you can use in case you encounter an aggressive stranger while trail riding, whether you'd be you yourself or with a partner and these are things that you need to keep in the back of your head. While you're out on the trail, even in the forced or bid in city riding, you can encounter people who want to harm you. You want to remember not to panic; you want them, you want to remember to keep your wits about you; you want to always keep a cellphone available to you. Don't attach it to your horse. If you were to come off your horse and your horse wants to leave, you would not have the cellphone accessible. You want to also be able to let people know where you are at all times. This way if something does happen and you are able to get away, but an accident happens, you can tell them where you are, how to get to you. One technique that you want to remember is if somebody tries to grab hold of the reins of your horse. Remember, your horse can weigh anywhere from five hundred to two thousand pounds. That is a lot of weight that you can run somebody over with. Your main goal is to get away. Don't tray to back up. What you want to do is push the horse through the person, create a diversion; get away as fast as you can. They're not going to be able to hold onto a running horse. The other thing that you can use for another technique is to spin the horse away from the aggressor. If they have a hold of your rein on the left side, spin your horse to the right. Use the back end of your horse to step on that person. Your main goal again is never panic; think your way through it and get away. If you do carry a maze on your horse, you can use it. It will not affect your horse. They may sneeze; but again, you want to make sure that you point it away from you and you spray the, you spray the aggressor with the maze and then leave the area immediately. If it's very windy, it may come back on your face which would then cause you more harm than help you. Also, don't try to use your cellphone as a person is coming towards you. The main goal is distance; a minimum of twenty one feet is always safe. Get out of the area in a safe manner. If you injure yourself trying to get away, then, the aggressor can grab hold. Use your horse to the best of its ability and this will ensure you safety in using self-defense on the trail. That is some tips for self-defense on the trail. I'm Patty Fiedler, Mounted Patrol Instructor.
on May 19, 2012, 1:42 pm