I live next to 800 acres of open space in Warrenton, and right near Whitney Forrest. I trail ride here every day. Today, my boarder, was walking along the trail when a black bear turned and faced her and her horse, and stood up… all 7 feet of him. She turned the horse and ran. What is the protocol when you see a bear on the trails? This was along the edge of the cornfield, between Lee Highway Nursery and the Fauquier Motel.
I posted this under Endurance and Trails also, but wanted the perspective of the Fox Hunters also…
GRAB MANE
You may not have a vote in what happens when your horse sees a bear (or other large carnivore). Most horses will want to get awy from the predator as quickly as possible. I always thought it best to hang on ans prepare for a quick evasive move from the horse. Seriously, the last thing you want is to be injured on the ground near a predator. Your horse will take care of himself, you need to safe too, go where the horse goes.
I come across bears often. MOst of the time they just continue on their way and don’t pay us much mind. Our horses don’t really react to them. I think it is because the bears wander through at night while the horses are out. I’v seen bear scat on the travels within 50 feet of the barn.
Now if one stopped and reared up, I’d be concerned. I’d calmly turn the horse and move away.
Agree with grab mane! I am always on the lookout and thankfully have not come across any bears–yet! :eek: But I have thought if I do come across one, what to do. I would turn the other way and hold on tight!!
Grab mane, for sure, but, errr, Eastern black bears are OMNIvores, not carnivores. They eat berries and bugs. Not horses. (Though, you’d want a calm corner to explain that to your horse …) :o)
Bears can run 35 miles an hour for quite a long time. I guess you could ride away, if you were on a Thoroughbred or Appendix.
I can’t speak to its use in real life… never seen a bear without solid glass between us… but my outdoorsy dad always told us “if it’s black, attack. If it’s brown, lay down.”
I think he always wanted boys (3 girls) and pretended one day we’d just up and live in the woods on our own, where this would be valuable knowledge.
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/living-with-black-bears.asp
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/bear/
http://www.nps.gov/archive/lacl/bear_behavior_field_guide.htm
I went riding in a park that had black bears. If I can remember correctly, they said to slowly back away. Bears have poor vision and the standing is trying to focus on you. Usually, they will understand what you are and move away on their own. If you are between a momma and baby - get out of the way!
Also, if you are in an area with bears, wear bells??? They will know you are coming and avoid you.
I think I am remembering correctly.
Fran
There is a book titled “Bear Attacks.” It primarily deals with humans on foot. If the author has a website, you might be able to contact him directly. Also any State or National Park that has rangers on horseback and bears might be able to offer advice. Good Luck.
BLACK BEARS EAT BERRIES. Not humans. Not horses.
Grab mane. Leave.
Well, actually, they’ll eat fresh meat too. A 450 lb 7 yo male black bear fatally took a 10 yo boy from his tent last summer, camp site about 15 miles from my house as the crow flies. Y’all should know, though, that the kid broke two rules- went to bed in the clothes he had eaten in, and snuck a granola bar into his tent to snack on overnight, both items are no nos in bear country.
In general on horseback I wouldn’t be bothered by the presence of a bear. Just keep on riding, if the horse is alarmed, sure, turn and go the other way, but don’t run. In particular if the animal you encounter is a mountain lion, don’t run, that is the signal that dinner is served.
Unfortunately, my neighbors and I come across bears on our trails all the time. (and its a bummer cause its unnerving) When I ride alone in the woods, I try to make noise because the bears will scoot away. I never worry when I’m with other riders cause we make so much noise. In fields, they usually scoot away when they see you. I’ve gotton closer than I prefer but fortunately my horses haven’t freaked. You really only have to worry if you accidently split a mom from her cubs…and lately there have been twins and triplets cubs seen regularly around here. If one does start going towards you cause it feels a cub is threatened, I have heard if you drop something, like a jacket or a pad, the bear will be distracted to it. I hope I never have to try that !
Also…we have so many bears here, one will show up at my neighbors house almost every evening cause she feeds birds - my other neighbor loves seeing them so he maintains trails for them & named his farm Bear Creek. For my back field that goes along a creek, I put horse-friendly wire fencing. Unfortuneatley, the bears prefer walking along the creek INSIDE my fence line so they climb over my wire fence …and bend it down. Last week I found a complete panel down on the ground…I assume a big boy tried to scale the fence, and the fence gave way. One time I was working on the outside of my barn, and looked down this field and there’s a bear sitting in my field watching me. I would rather a few less bears …but no one hunts bears so I think the bear pop is just going to grow !! Get used to them !
It’s a wild world out there!
Yep we got bears around here too! But I only see them running by or away for the most part and so far the horses just watch. They spook more at deer!!! :eek::lol: But I do one thing to make sure I scare up the game sometimes when I ride alone; I make lotsa noise. A one sided conversation with the pony or sing or talk to myself or call down the trail. I’m sure anyone who saw me would think I’m off my rocker but then those that know me already know!!! :D:cool: They DO play hell with wire fencing I can testify. And you gotta forget bird feeders and be sure to lock up your grain. Once they find a food source; they keep coming back. Ask my neighbors about their outside garbage cans!! Idjits!! It’s gotta be put inside.
But I think horses have seen them so aren’t quite so alarmed as we might anticipate. Had them in my yard and doggie just whined & growled & worried. We have to know there’s wildlife out there so just get used to it; I believe they will not harm us. I’d turn & leave of course. Oh BTW, we have mountain lions on our ridge too just west of town!! Besides the coyotes, fox etc. Research black bears and some of the many previous threads and you’ll see; it’s nothing to be alarmed about it.
So…can I come over and ride!!! :winkgrin::lol: I’ll protect you!!! 
Wateryglenn, you can come ride anytime! Just keep your mountain lions at home! Never knew little ol’ Warrenton was such a wild life preserve!
[QUOTE=Hunter’s Rest;3544509]
Grab mane, for sure, but, errr, Eastern black bears are OMNIvores, not carnivores. They eat berries and bugs. Not horses. (Though, you’d want a calm corner to explain that to your horse …) :o)[/QUOTE]
The definition of omnivore is a creature that eats everything–both plants and animals.
Omni=all or everything; vore=from the Latin for devour (vorare)
Um, OMNI vore. Yes, as I said. They eat berries and bugs.
Beverley - are you sure that your western black bears are the same as eastern black bears? Seriously. One of my students is the Fauquier County extension agent. He knows all about outdoors stuff. He assures me the eastern black bears never eat people unless they make mistakes with granola bars. Or their babies. But I’d wonder, sincerely, if your bears out there are the same exact sort as our little fozzy bears back east. ? Anyone know?
Do they eat goats? Should I worry? I have two…
