What is the best way to handle being caught on the trails in a thunder/lightning storm? Let’s assume you decide to turn around and head towards the trailer. Is it best to stay in a clearing? Near a tree line? Go into a woodsy area? Do you stay mounted or get down and hustle back on foot? Something else?
Assume that you have multiple paths available to you, all equal distance.
I almost got caught out there and realized I wasn’t sure what the best course of action would be.
I was taught, A) Get off the horse. B) look for a ditch, or low spot so that you are not the tallest thing in the area. C) Stay away from trees, tall polls, metal, and water.
What csaper said is right on. Except you don’t necessarily want to stay away from trees. You DO want to stay away from lone trees and the tallest trees. If you can’t find a low area and your only options are wooded or flat and open, I would stick to the wooded.
Lightning is trying to find the fastest way to the ground. So your goal is to not be that object and not be near that object. If you really had all of the options listed above, I would stay near the tree line. Ideally, think of a line making a triangle by connecting the top of the tree out to the ground. You want to stay toward the outside edge of that triangle. You want to be as far away from the tree as you can while still making sure any strike chooses the tree over you.
But a low lying area (not in water) is the best choice of all.
We also now know that many people can sense right before they are struck. I don’t remember the science behind it, but if you feel your hair standing on end or your skin tingling, you want to IMMEDIATELY get into a “lightning crouch”. Get as low as possible with your feet together. Bonus points if you can balance on the balls of your feet. Extra bonus points if you can balance on one foot. I’ve also heard to hold your breath, but don’t know if that actually helps.
The big question is what do you do with your horse? That’s a judgement call for you to make. Mine is that my horse is on his own at that point. Something good to know though is anyone struck by lightning does not hold a charge. So if your horse or friend are struck, you can immediately begin assisting with first aid.
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