Remudamom Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 but lately there have been more and more mountain lions in our area. I'm not sure whether to risk carrying a gun while I ride or just avoid the woody areas. I don't think Hacinta would go along with loud noises at ear level. And I can't run very fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionfamily1999 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Dh's grampa used to say to strip while you run... they'll stop to attack every article of clothing (according to him) giving you a better chance of escape. So, maybe you should just wear some extra layers???:lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Oh man, this kills me. Okay, Cinta sees a mountain lion, she immediately throws my butt on the ground and takes off at a dead run and I barrel after her, dropping clothes as I go! Dh says he does not want a chance to find out if your idea works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tea Time Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Maybe you could just carry a big bag of steaks and throw them out as Hacinta and you run. Or would that be more like making a trail to you? Yikes! Be careful out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I'd get a gun. Actually, I saw a pink .22 the other day while shopping for weapons (I have three boys! But, it was the 3 yo who is STILL asking for the pink gun!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 I'd get a gun. Actually, I saw a pink .22 the other day while shopping for weapons (I have three boys! But, it was the 3 yo who is STILL asking for the pink gun!!). I have a darling pair of ivory handled 22s. They're about three inches long. Only shoot shorts, but maybe they would scare off a cat. I wonder if I could get Cinta used to that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I have a darling pair of ivory handled 22s. They're about three inches long. Only shoot shorts, but maybe they would scare off a cat. I wonder if I could get Cinta used to that? I bet she would!! And, if they matched your shoes, even better! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Is a mountain lion likely to go after a large horse and rider? I mean, my brother was running in the S. California mts near our house and came around a corner face-to-face with a m. lion - they each took one look and headed in opposite directions. Wouldn't the cat be more likely to hunt for smaller prey??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Is a mountain lion likely to go after a large horse and rider? I mean, my brother was running in the S. California mts near our house and came around a corner face-to-face with a m. lion - they each took one look and headed in opposite directions. Wouldn't the cat be more likely to hunt for smaller prey??? I've heard that humans are easier prey?? But maybe that's only if the cat is older? Animals do weird things. My fil was attacked by a deer in the rut season, it jumped up on the rear of his horse. Scared them to death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I have a darling pair of ivory handled 22s. They're about three inches long. Only shoot shorts, but maybe they would scare off a cat. I wonder if I could get Cinta used to that? Remuda, I have to wonder if there might be other times when you'd want to be able to shoot while riding (I'm sure you will use your vivid imagination;)). Anyway, I am not a horse person, but if it seems try-able without causing permanent trauma to your horse, why not give it a go? If she gets used to it, at the very least you can know she won't then dump you off if she hears a shot fired by someone else. Just my pair o' pennies. If it were me, I might stay out of the thick (lots of overhanging branches) woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Seems like they only attack humans when they are panicked about something and when the humans look like prey--either really small, or running away from them. So, for instance, after the big fires in Southern CA there was a mountain lion that killed a guy who was squatted down changing his bike tire. Then a day or two later the same one attacked a jogger. Looking big is helpful--wave your arms, be ON the horse. Not running is helpful--face that cat and fight. Which brings up my next, albeit gruesome, point. ML's like to attack from behind, biting the back of the neck and swinging their body weight around to the front while flailing their claws at the front abdominal area. That way if your neck's not broken you will still bleed to death quickly. So it is really, really important to face them. There is a school of thought, untested AKAIK, that wearing a halloween mask on the back of your head would confuse them enough about which is front and which is back to make them choose another target. I do hike in mountain lion country. I have never seen one myself, but I have seen fresh kill. I am sure that mountain lions have watched me from afar, and maybe even from above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critter Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 "That's what Jagulars always do," said Pooh, much interested. "They call 'Help! Help! Help! and then when you look up, they drop on you." "I'm looking down," cried Piglet loudly, so as the Jagular shouldn't do the wrong thing by accident." The House at Pooh Corner -A. A. Milne Your horse will let you know if there if something scary around. Mountain lions can run fast, but not far, so you're best bet would be to stay aware of your surroundings, stay in the saddle, and let your horse be your guide. Sounds exciting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 One thing I was taught about dogs, and am sure it's the same with mountain lions, if you are attacked then #1 be facing it and #2 offer it your arm to prevent it from getting your neck or face. Gives you a fighting chance, or even a chance to use your gun on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 If you keep dogs around you there is a better chance that they will keep the lions away. Have horses been attacked? I would think the lions would be afraid of horses. Aside from that I'd carry *something* -- bear mace or gun. LOL about the shedding clothes tip, I don't know about that. I'd maybe try to make myself look bigger by fanning out my coat. Is there any way you can condition your horse to the sound of a gunshot? I would not hesitate to shoot a mountain lion if it came near my house. It's a problem in Oregon. They have been bold - even to the point of getting up on back porches, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Mountain lions?? Yikes, I'd be freaked!! And to think, I'm afraid of stray dogs in our neighborhood. :001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCoffeeChick Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Mountain lions?? Yikes, I'd be freaked!! And to think, I'm afraid of stray dogs in our neighborhood. :001_huh: Well, you MAY not want to carry a gun around for those ... someone may take offense to that one! LOL :lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Well, you MAY not want to carry a gun around for those ... someone may take offense to that one! LOL :lol::lol: LOL, I do carry mace on me though. I think I'm a dog magnet. When I used to jog I'd always have a dog chase me. :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Well, you could ship some over my way. :) I'd love to see them around here. But, then, I've never actually lived where mountain lions lived. (lived in town in ID) I guess I'd carry that gun and hope my reflexes were faster than the cat's. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyBC Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) Lots of cougars where we are. They certainly *will* attack a horse and rider, though extremely rarely. I could probably dig up a news link to the story of a mom who while out riding with her kids was killed, if need be. We don't have the option of hand guns in Canada, so if you can acclimate your horse to the noise, I would. Bring a dog on your rides. You already got good advice here: don't run, face them head on, make yourself big. Edited December 5, 2009 by KathyBC making it somewhat more grammatically sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 There is a school of thought, untested AKAIK, that wearing a halloween mask on the back of your head would confuse them enough about which is front and which is back to make them choose another target. This is what they do in Asia to keep tigers from attacking humans. Where is Edward when you need him? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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