Jody, your description is accurate, I think you
are correct that it was a mountain
lion. There's only one account of a rider on
horseback being attacked in recorded history (in the Pacific Northwest
where they are on an island that has the densest couger population in America),
so you are 1000's times more likely to be struck by lightning.
HOWEVER, I say be prepared and never say never: I always carry
bear pepper spray (for shooting at a distance if needed and also for the
leering human baddies) and a non-folding sheathed knife to fight if actually
jumped. Best to carry these on your belt if you are separated from your
horse.
If a cat is going to actually attack, you will not
see it coming. They are ambush hunters, and unless cornered (very unwise,
always be sure that cat has somewhere to leave to), it will only jump at
you if you're not looking at it and you are within striking range
(about 45 feet max), so the knife is to fight for your life when it is
on you. Better to have than to wish I had it... Cougar
attacks are survived all the time by fighting back.
Sidenote: Authorities keep saying that cougars are
extinct in the Eastern US. But I get these calls a lot, they are still
there or have multiplied from freed pets or something. Even though
people may tell her that there are no cats in the Appalachians, I believe
there are pockets that exist there. You can google the Eastern Cougar
and find info on it. Here's a story:
