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I would agree with Ed, wholeheartedly, that the most dangerous ?wildlife? 
out there is two-legged, not four-legged (unless it is a domestic dog).  And 
here is the irony.  The best response when faced with four-legged wildlife 
is to stand your ground, show no fear, make yourself as big as possible, and 
then exit ASAP but without appearing to be ?running away.?  The best 
response when faced with two-legged wildlife:  run like hell.  And so far, I 
don?t know of any two-legged wildlife that can keep up with horse, 
especially on a mountain trail!

Growing up in Western Montana, I have seen (and been watched by) all kinds 
of wildlife from coyote to grizzly bear while out riding alone from a young 
age.  I always did as I had been taught and never once have I felt my life 
was in any danger.  My only fear came from worrying that my horse might 
become uncontrollable because of his own instinctive fear of predators.  
Although, as Eric experienced, it is this instinctive fear along with their 
superior noses and ears that makes it possible for our horses to warn us of 
the presence of a predator, all we need do is listen to them.  Mine have 
warned me many times.  Weapons of any kind simply are not necessary and can 
certainly become a liability, especially in less experienced hands.  And I 
am not anti-gun, I just think most people give guns too much credit, good 
and bad, and forget that it is a tool dependent upon the ability of the hand 
holding it.

The most threatened I ever felt was riding in a park area of large city 
where there were lots of people around.  I was charged and circled in 
predatory fashion by a dog off leash.  Fortunately my horse was not afraid 
of dogs (I have had many over the years and love dogs) and I was able to 
keep turning to face the dog so he never had a good opportunity to attack.  
After a few minutes that seemed like hours the dog?s owner finally noticed 
and called him back.  I was most thankful that the dog was well trained and 
obedient despite his clearly aggressive approach, and knowing first hand the 
damage domestic dogs allowed to run free can do to horses, cows, sheep, 
chickens, cats, deer, ? and people.

The most amazing experience I ever had with wildlife was when I rode through 
the middle of a herd of bedded down elk in a grove of pine trees.  I was 
maybe 14 years old, riding a young horse bareback with a bosal, so we made 
none of the ?human? sounds that come from tack.  And I had probably been 
riding long enough to smell more like a horse than a human.  Anyway, the elk 
didn?t even get up, they just watched me go by with no concern.  I had never 
been so close to these shy critters, and have never been again.  I will 
never forget the images.

One last comment.  I have been reading the posts about the response to 
Katrina on the one extreme and cruelty to animals on the other extreme.  I 
never cease to be amazed at the extremes that exist in human behavior and 
capacity.  How is it that the same specie of being can mercilessly torture 
another living being in one capacity and open their homes and hearts to 
total strangers in a whole different capacity?!?  Thankfully we have the 
good side of us to balance, and hopefully outweigh, the bad side.  Perhaps 
it is the simple fact that most people are good and caring that we as a 
society simply don?t have it in us to hand out the kind of punishment or 
response that those capable of torture deserve.  I don?t know ? it sure 
leaves me wondering ? and very sad.

~C



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