DON’T LIKE BUG BITES?
Tests have shown that the colors of light green, khaki and tan are some of best bit- ing insect repellents as far as clothing choices. It has also been reported that most biting fl ies are at racted to dark colors such as blue and especially black.
WHAT ABOUT GENDER?
Women may have a biologi- cal advantage at altitude. In general, they suff er less severe symptoms of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and do not experience as great a depression in appetite and food intake as do their male counterparts.
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BAD WEATHER Check the weather report
before setting out on your trip. In the high country there may often be storms that you might not be prepared for. These storms can quickly become more than just a nuisance if you are not prepared. Lightning and thunder, hail, driving rains and even fl ash fl oods are dan- gerous to both horse and rider.
If you notice a storm brew- ing, do not waste time fi nding adequate shelter. Should you be close to the storm, you are at added risk of being struck by lightning. Generally speak-
ing, being within 10 miles of the storm’s epicenter puts you at an el- evated risk of experiencing lightning.
If in spite of your precautions you are caught in the open during a lightning storm, the very fi rst thing you need to do is to get off the horse. While you can-
not outrun lightning, you are able to stay low and decrease your likelihood of getting hit. Stay out of riverbeds and off hills, and seek out the lower part of slopes of hills.
HANDLING UNEXPECTED
Never tie your horse to a tree; use a bush instead. Squat down. Wait out the storm and continue riding after it has passed. High winds are also a danger since they can rip weakened trees from the ground and fall onto you or your horse. Dismount and take cover behind a sturdy boulder. Hail requires you to seek shelter that will protect you from above. If no building or cave can be found, head into a thicket of bushes. Find something with which to protect your head and the head of your horse. Be aware of the danger of fl ash fl ooding.
Creeks and dry washes can suddenly swell due to heavy rain, and within relatively short periods of time they can turn into raging rivers that can sweep away anyone who at- tempts to cross them. Seek out a high spot and stay away from fl owing water. I hope these tips give you some guidance
when you plan your next horseback-rid- ing excursion into higher-altitude terrain. Remember that patience and creativity will help greatly when it comes to solving problems on the trail. If you do encounter an obstacle or have an accident, stay calm and rational. Take time to think things out. With the aid of the items and information listed above you should be able to handle any emergency that can occur. Enjoy your adventure, relax and have
fun!
Karen Chaton is a multiple award-winning endurance rider with over 25,000 lifetime miles. Karen and her Spanish Arabian TBR Granite Chief+/ have won the AERC National Mileage Champion- ship twice. Chief was also awarded the Arabian Horse Associa- tion Distance Horse of the Year Award and has received honors as an XP Gold Medal horse and the Wendell Robie XP Horse of the Year, also two times, while Karen was awarded the XP Horseman of the Year. Visit Karen at
www.karenchaton.com
28 June | July 2010 •
WWW.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US
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