bug out horse?

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Just see the cautions above. They fit donkeys almost as well as horses. Just that 90% of those getting into horses get out of them within a year. Of the 10% left, most of them get out of it in 3 years. After 3 years, well, you're likely a horse person!

Unless you have someone who can fill in for you, having horses really anchors you to home. Luckily, we partner with some other horse lovers and we take turns, so we can all have vacations, etc. knowing that our horses are being cared for by folks who know what they are doing.
 
One other tip, don't spend a ton of money on a horse. You can find good riding horses fairly inexpensive, heck, sometimes even free (as the person who has one just can't afford the upkeep anymore). It's the KEEPING of the horse that costs you, so no need to have a big fee upfront, unless you're actually doing competitions and NEED the breeding, etc.
 
horses are a huge target. If shtf, people will be eating horses. A decent rifleman, with a scope, can hit a horse easily from 600 yds away. Any sort of wound will render the horse unable to do anything, for many weeks, and normally, such a hit will prove fatal in days or hours, if not minutes. A 1500 lbs horse is 800 lbs of meat, 600 lbs of jerky, enough to get a family thru a year of shtf, given a bit of gillnetting, trotlining, snaring, boxtrapping, and knowledge of wild edible plants. So don't kid yourself about horses for shtf, either keeping them or riding them. They are noisy, won't remain still. they get sick or hurt, want to breed, etc. A mountain bicycle (or 3-4) are much more like what is needed. You can hide a bike under a bush, and it will STAY THERE, :) Nobody will shoot it or want to eat it. With a 1/2 can of "slime" in each tire, it won't get flats, and there's solid rubber bike tires. You can walk along side of it, with 30 lbs on your back and 120 lbs on the bike, thru some really bad terrain, and if you get a downhill slope, you can coast. If you get a road-like surface, you can pedal.

That depends on the horse and rider, my morgan's are bomb proof and not overly noisy as far as getting sick and or injured, horses have serviced this planet for centuries and done quite good, I view the horse as no more serviceable as my vehicles and in most cases cheaper ;)
 
For the non-horsey folks, "bomb-proof" means the horse doesn't spook easy, and can handle loud noises, etc. fine. In fact, near me, there's a group that shoot rifles from horseback at targets as a sport, so you'd be surprised how well these animals can handle these things, if they are trained properly.
 
you just think of all the empires that were made with a horse, you think Gengis Khan would have built his without horses??
 
As Maverick said, there's a reason we've relied on them for hundreds of years. I'm even looking into some farrier training (guy who shoes horses and cares for their feet), mostly because it seems everyone in the business has a flaky scheduling problem.

We're down to just one horse at the moment (we lost one to colic earlier this month, and sold another one). We weren't really looking to sell, but at 3 times what we paid for him (and he's an almost 20 year old horse), we'll take their money. (former owner wanted to buy him back, missed him, and was in a better financial position). Hey, more power to her. We would have taken less, but was her offer money-wise. We'll take a third of it and get a new (and younger) horse anyhow. :D

We liked him alright, he's a good horse, but just couldn't pass up the money opportunity.
 
I think horses are a good plan for those that can manage them. Also, a bit of knowledge about them would be good for all preppers to keep in the knowledge locker.
 
Good point. My first piece of advice is this. Don't think of them as a big dog. A dog is a scavenger and a predator. A horse is not. Completely different mindset. Horses are herd animals. And, they are more in the prey category, so you have to keep this in mind when figuring out how a horse thinks and acts.

Second piece of advice, don't walk behind a horse without letting him know you are there (a horse kick can be an annoyance, or a serious injury, depending on how bad he gets you).

Basic steering guide:

Forward - reins straight, slight and small kicks in both sides (not really "kicks", but no better word for it, nudges really). Some horses are trained to respond the same way to clicks or kiss sounds too. (or of course, "Hya! or Giddyup!)

Faster - same as above, just harder kicks.

Left - reins to left (amount depends on how sharp a turn, like a steering wheel). A small kick on the side of the turn can also help (again, not an actual kick, more like a nudge).

Right - reins to right

Reverse - slightly pull back on reins (if still not going, gentle kicks in side while pulling slightly back). Pulling too hard can make the horse rear up, so less is better first.
 
Might also add, if you never had a great deal of experience with horses and looking to get one ask if it is a trail horse or pasture only, I had a friend come visit me from Nebraska bringing his horse, the horse was pasture ridden only, his horse had issues trail riding because of narrow passes, low branches etc... A pasture terrain only horse may give issues if you decide to take this horse in the back country, a pasture only horse getting it's ### slapped by a low branch on a trail may not be good ;)
 
Good point. On the property, we do pasture riding, but we try and get them to trails as we can too.

Buying a horse isn't often extremely expensive (unless you're getting some champion or a really thoroughly trained one). Can usually find one around here from free (person just can't afford to keep feeding it) to around $1000 for a trained riding horse. The real expense is in keeping one.

First, if your place isn't equipped for it, you're going to pay for monthly boarding (around $300 a month or so, depending on facilities, can be way more, and that's assuming you are there every day to feed the horse, maybe even clean the stall...). Then, factor in about $150 a month for feed and hay, and about another $50 for a farrier every 6 weeks. Add another $150 or so a year for annual shots. Expect to further spend about $600-$1000 to fully tack out the horse too (saddle, blanket, bit, bridle, winter blanket, lead rope, etc.).

Of course, for SHTF, you may just come upon one whose owner didn't make it, etc., but the above is for pre-SHTF.

Some stables actually rent horses also, either just for a trail ride, or even monthly. In my experience, the horses in these places aren't always treated the best, but it is a chance for folks to get exposure to it without the same level of expense.
 
a stupid question from someone whos never ridden a horse, is it difficult to learn to ride??
 
gotcha ;) I've never tried itbut I know there's a couple of places with horses and that thought came to me why not put them on my maps if shtf occurs, another way to get out 'cause the closest stable is 4 miles away and learning new traits might be useful
 
First time I ever went to a stable and rode, zero training or experience, and by the end of the day, I was backing up, galloping, etc. like a natural. I think a lot of it depends on the horse, as Maverick said. I got lucky and had a good one. And the right attitude. Then, there are some horses that even good riders have to be wary of....
 
those are the horses I dredd to meet ;)
have to ask my co-worker who's riding alot, you never know when this experience could be useful
 
While you do have valid points, I will stay with my horses. It's just me and my preference. Not for everyone. Besides, I can't ride a bike.


I'm with you Old_anorak, despite all the very valid points the others made about horses not being an ideal bugout means of transportation. I will do everything in my power to have my horse will remain with me until the end. What i wish i could find are others who want to do dry-run practice bugout weekends, bc I'm fully aware of the importance practice --- this is only multiplied when it comes to tasks with horses. I recently moved to west Houston and the folks I've been around are primarily into (as am i, as well) roping, rodeo and maybe some Trailriders who aren't the least bit interested in prepping for anything other than the next BIG trailride. any suggestions on where i might connect with other riders who would be interested in or already doing, mock bugout senerios with their horses?
 
The purpose of transportation is simply point A to B. In any shtf situation you can bet that two major obstacles will be rivers and mountains. Bridges will become choke points and any passes will undoubtedly be watched.

The reliability of vehicles after emp is questionable. Fuel breaks down over time and will eventually run out. If a part breaks on an automobile you are sol.

Horses are a great idea. They are amphidious, and can go places most vehicles can't, such as narrow moutain trails. They do not require fuel except that can be provided by nature. And as a good friend of mine pointed out worse case scenario they are edible.
 

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