For those of us who ride for pure pleasure there’s nothing like the brilliant foliage of autumn trees, the smell of crisp, fresh air and the enthusiasm of your good horse when there’s a trace of bite in the breeze. ‘frail riding in the fall doesn’t have to be avoided simply because it coincides with hunting season.
Here are five guidelines to help keep you and your horse safe.
Wear Bright Colors
Visibility is your first consideration. Stand out, by wearing bright colors such as a blaze-orange hunting And don’t forget your horse! Invest in brightly colored saddlebags and/or cantle bags. Also consider placing a blaze-orange nylon halter tinder his bridle.
Choose Your Route
With dates of hunting seasons and maps of hunting areas (from the state fish and game department, www.dec.ny.gov or ww.nhfday.org/Page/Where-to-Hunt.html) find trails in areas where hunters will be less concentrated and consider skipping opening day.
Train Your Horse
You’ll likely hear rifle shots so teach your horse some tolerance for gun shots, progressing form a cap pistol to a race starting pistol. Even when acclimated, gunshots always carry the possibility of a spook so brush up on the one-rein stop to handle the unexpected.
Practice Trail Safety
Stay on well-traveled trails. Hunting season is no time to bushwack your way through thickets and deadfall mimicking the movements of game animals. All-terrain traffic may increase during hunting season. Make sure your horse is accustomed to them now before you encounter them on the trail.
Be Courteous
Although hunting may not be your cup of tea, recognize that everyone has a right to use the trails. Use simple courtesy to avoid conflict with other back country users. Greet people in a friendly but quiet manner and don’t make extra noise which will scare game.
So don’t put you horse on moth balls just because it’s hunting season – get out there and enjoy the best time of the year!
Reprinted from the NYS Horse Council newsletter.
