A horse for SHTF back country transportation?

[Stillwater]

I was just wondering today, would a horse be a good, or bad idea for back country transportation? Assuming, of course, that you already know how to handle a horse.

A horse could move you faster ... the horse can carry more gear and supplies.

If you run out of food, you could always eat the horse.


Bill

[Unregistered]

Horses are a pain in the ass. I would not recommend one unless you have lots of open land.

[andy]

your horse is worse than being afoot. That horse will be life saving meat for dozens of people, and they are noisy, hard to conceal, get hurt, sick, HAVE to be fed,watered. They want to roll, run off, bite, kick rub you off on a tree, etc. if shtf,WHERE you going in such a big hurry, anyway? The livestock and game will all be gone within a month, so what will you be "hauling" other than your lazy butt, hmm?

[RIKA]

Faulty logic again Gunkid. Horses are quite managable if you know how and aren't afraid of them. Besides, the whole purpose is to haul my "lazy butt" plus the things I want to carry to a safe place away from the sheeple.

RIKA

[Stillwater]

Originally posted by 223 fan
your horse is worse than being afoot. That horse will be life saving meat for dozens of people, and they are noisy, hard to conceal, get hurt, sick, HAVE to be fed,watered. They want to roll, run off, bite, kick rub you off on a tree, etc. if shtf,WHERE you going in such a big hurry, anyway? The livestock and game will all be gone within a month, so what will you be "hauling" other than your lazy butt, hmm?

Melvin:
Your posts are so illiterate, that it is hard to understand what you meaning is.

Instead of being so cantankerous, why not act like other people.

Why always be so surley and disrespectful? It is no wonder that you don't have any friends.

Bill

[.45 COLT]

If I needed mobility, a horse would be right handy, although I would prefer a mule. If the day of doom does finally hit, I'm in a pretty good location where I am, and would probably stay put. I just bought a mule, not to prepare for anything in particular, but because I like mules. Brings back childhood memories, I reckon.

DC

[Stillwater]

Originally posted by .45 COLT
If I needed mobility, a horse would be right handy, although I would prefer a mule. If the day of doom does finally hit, I'm in a pretty good location where I am, and would probably stay put. I just bought a mule, not to prepare for anything in particular, but because I like mules. Brings back childhood memories, I reckon.

DC

I is surprising to me that so many people that I talk to, say the same things about mules.

Our family always had horses, so I don't have any experience with mules.

Bill

[84 C4]

Originally posted by 223 fan
...and they are noisy, hard to conceal, get hurt, sick, HAVE to be fed,watered. They want to roll, run off, bite, kick rub you off on a tree, etc.

Have you ever even SEEN a horse in your life? Horses aren't noisy, most injuries they receive aren't major (unless it breaks its leg, and only if it's in a certain part of the leg), they eat grass, and can drink from streams. Horses don't roll around with a rider on their back, if they run off, they're easy to find, they don't bite unless you stick your hand in their mouth, they don't kick unless you do something stupid ;) , and it's VERY difficult for even an "intelligent" horse to rub off even the most incompetent of riders.

[Stillwater]

Originally posted by 84 C4
Have you ever even SEEN a horse in your life? Horses aren't noisy, most injuries they receive aren't major (unless it breaks its leg, and only if it's in a certain part of the leg), they eat grass, and can drink from streams. Horses don't roll around with a rider on their back, if they run off, they're easy to find, they don't bite unless you stick your hand in their mouth, they don't kick unless you do something stupid ;) , and it's VERY difficult for even an "intelligent" horse to rub off even the most incompetent of riders.

Good post 84 C4, what Melvin doesn't know about horses, would overfill a Railroad Boxcar.

With every post Melvin keeps proving that he's sociopathic. I let a psychiatrist friend of mine read some of Melvins posts. His diagnosis -- Melvin is a rabid sociopath. He even ventured the opinion, that since melvin likes to torture animals, that he COULD even end up as a SERIAL KILLER.

Now that is shocking. This Psychiatrist ,specializes in criminal antisocial behavior, so maybe he knows what he's talking about.

Is that scary enough for you?

Bill

[andy]

horses. :-) My dad farmed with them, stupid, and my sister was nearly killed by a horse that "brushed" her off against the corner of a barn, at full run. My brother in law (just her boyfriend at the time, 40odd years ago, beat that SOB to death with a whip.

[andy]

if they dont cut themselves on barbed wire, eat WOOD, etc. :-)

[andy]

CONSTANTLY come up lame, especially if they are not properly shod, and run on rocky or sandy ground. Why do you THINK that guys "shoe" them, stupe? Do you know how often shoes have to come off of a horse, and have its hooves rasped-down? Why do you THINK both Indians AND cowboys kept a "remuda"? so one horse could be left to heal up, or be replaced ENTIRELY, dummy. Plenty of people have been bitten by horses, who did NOT put their hands in their mouths, too. Even SEEN the result of a horse bite? without med care, post shtf, such an infectious area could easily kill you.

[andy]

a LOT easier to hear than the cycling of a suppressed auto rifle's bolt, and YOU are the SAME stupid <font color=red>[**censored**]</font> who claimed that the auto's bolt could be heard cycling at "1/4 mile". A horse's whinny carries a long ways, and a NEIGH carries futher than does a bolt-noise. So anybody who " thinks" that horses aren't noisy is just plain ignorant.

[RIKA]

Melvin, your rant on horses just shows your ignorance and highlights your utter fear of them. No form of transportation is perfect but given a choice between walking or riding, I'll take the horse every time. What happened to your sister was unfortunate but I really doubt that the boyfriend beat the horse to death with a whip. If he wanted to kill it, a gunshot or a 2x4 across the head would be sufficient. Whipping an animal to death indicates a person with a dangerous lack of self control or worse.

RIKA

[84 C4]

my sister was nearly killed by a horse that "brushed" her off against the corner of a barn, at full run.

She never should of been on the horse if she can't control it, much less allowing it to gallop.

CONSTANTLY come up lame, especially if they are not properly shod, and run on rocky or sandy ground.

The barefoot method is gaining popularity, and lameness is usually temporary, particularly with the barefoot method. (NOT necessarily the "Strasser" method, that woman's a crock)

My brother in law (just her boyfriend at the time, 40odd years ago, beat that SOB to death with a whip.

That's animal abuse, whipping a horse should be used for disciplinary action, not as a means of anger management or euthanasia. If you're going to put the animal down, put a single bullet behind the animal's ear. That severs the spinal cord, and kills the animal quickly and painlessly. It's a shame to see an animal put down due to someone's inability to ride. :(

A horse's whinny carries a long ways, and a NEIGH carries futher than does a bolt-noise. So anybody who " thinks" that horses aren't noisy is just plain ignorant.

Whinnies and "neighs" are the same thing, I think you need to stop reading those children's books ;). And they really aren't all that loud, yes you can HEAR them at an 1/8 to a 1/4 mile (depending on the horse) if you're listening for them, but you can also hear a diesel engine at that range (probably further). Horses also aren't constantly whinnying, unless it's a stallion which smells a mare in heat, or it's a mare in heat. Otherwise, they most noise they make is blowing snot out of their nose.

Plenty of people have been bitten by horses, who did NOT put their hands in their mouths, too. Even SEEN the result of a horse bite? without med care, post shtf, such an infectious area could easily kill you.

Only people I've ever seen bitten by a horse were feeding the animal by hand, and even then, it's not all that common. And yes, I have seen people bitten, it's not nearly as bad as you think, and an infected wound ANYWHERE on the body could kill you. That's why flesh wounds are almost harmless, because they're easily sterilized, and deep wounds are often fatal. Until relatively recently in human history, if you were stabbed, you were going to die.

if they dont cut themselves on barbed wire, eat WOOD, etc.

Because horses are the only animal (domesticated or otherwise) that cut themselves on barbed wire, wood and misc. materials. :rolleyes: I've never seen a dog do that, and I've definately never heard of PEOPLE doing that. :rolleyes: (One thing about horses, though, they aren't so stupid as to shoot themselves in the foot ;) :D )

So, I know nothing about horses, huh? I guess all that hunter-jumper, dresage, and endurance racing that I've been doing for the past 9 years taught me nothing.:rolleyes:

I know more about horses than anything else. And I can tell that YOU don't know anything about horses.

[Stillwater]

Originally posted by 223 fan
horses. :-) My dad farmed with them, stupid, and my sister was nearly killed by a horse that "brushed" her off against the corner of a barn, at full run. My brother in law (just her boyfriend at the time, 40odd years ago, beat that SOB to death with a whip.

Well Melvin, you have equaled yourself in exposing your idiocy again. No sane person, would believe anything lilke this in your wildest dreams. So, you're caught in another lie.

One thing I learned from my grandfather, early on, is that you make a pet out of the horse, and the animal willing cooperates with you. My family ranched and farmed with horses too, Melvin.

But NO, old Melvin the terrible, has to come out with his unecessary violence against the animal trying to show how big, and bad, he is. What you are showing, Melvin, is how big a WUSS you are. You're exposing your cowardly mind for the world to see.

Melvin, if the BS you put out were music, you could out do most brass bands. Being a coward goes hand-in-hand with being a BULL-SQUEEZE ARTIST, which you most certainly are.

I don't care how many posts you make, what you don't know about horses would still fill a boxcar. And with you lack of knowledge about horses, I would doubt if you have ever set foot on a farm.

And, Melvin,when someone is so dumb, that they don't know there isn't any difference between a horse whinneying, and a neighing, IS FALLING DOWN STUPID, ON THEIR PART.

You are really showing how US high you're on the BULL SQUEEZE scale.

Tell me Melvin, why do you always post violence toward animals? I have been told, by a competant Psychiatrist, whom specializes in criminal behavior, that animal abusers can eventually become SERIAL KILLERS! Is there something about you that we don't know Melvin?

Bill

[Magnum88C]

What do the knowledgable people here think about a horse-burro team? Ride the horse and let the burro carry the kit?

I've always loved riding horses, I just can't afford one right now.

[84 C4]

Originally posted by Magnum88C
What do the knowledgable people here think about a horse-burro team? Ride the horse and let the burro carry the kit?

I've always loved riding horses, I just can't afford one right now.

That's really a personal preferance on how much crap you want to put up with, burros aren't renowned for being cooperative. If you wish to try it, more power to ya'. Just tell me how it works out.:cool:

There are usually places that'll let you ride their horses for lessons or trail rides. Were do you live? I might be able to locate a few stables for ya'.:cool:

[RIKA]

Okay, I'll show my ignorance. Do horses and mules get along together? I'm told that mules are quite intelligent despite their rep. I'm thinking that you could use the mule to pack stuff.

RIKA :)

[andy]

$ on a horse, trailer, tack, etc, then thousands MORE for his training, and thousands more for his "keep". Horses will be shot on SIGHT within 2 weeks of shtf, for their FLESH, and there's absolutley NOTHING you can do about that FACT. You can "rather" ride than walk all you WANT. It will have the SAME chance (of being effective () as a snowball in hell's "wish" tor emain unmelted. You people need to WAKE UP. Your PREFERENCES dont mean SQUAT.

[Stillwater]

Originally posted by Raider
Okay, I'll show my ignorance. Do horses and mules get along together? I'm told that mules are quite intelligent despite their rep. I'm thinking that you could use the mule to pack stuff.

RIKA :)

RIKA:
Elmer Keith, and my Uncle, used to pack supplies to forestry camps, in Montana, in the 1930's. They road horses for themselves, but they used mules for carrying the loads. I think the mule could carry more load, safly, than the horse.

My Uncle did not like mules, and neither did old Elmer Keith. Their main complaint was that the mules were contrary animals.

Sort of reminds you of MELVIN doesn't it?

Bill

[Clint Boyer]

Mules and horses do get along. From my experience, mules are calmer and less apt to spook. They are also a bit more nimble in trecherous situations. They can be cantankerous but when trained properly, they can do what they've been trained for without much proding.
Mules are usually male donkey (giant Jack) to horse. When you do the cross the other way, (female donkey to stud horse), you get what's called a Henny (sp?). They usually have a backbone more like a horse and are therefore easier to ride.
Llamas can't carry near as much gear but are dependable packers and can browse, making them more versatile.

[RIKA]

And your fantasys mean less than SQUAT gunkid. People train horses all the time. Trained horses are quite cheap in today's market. In a shtf scenario, who needs a horse trailer?

You say: "Horses will be shot on SIGHT within 2 weeks of shtf, for their FLESH, and there's absolutley NOTHING you can do about that FACT."

In 2 weeks ? What arrant nonsense. You are tooo funny!

Learn something about life out there instead of reading about in magazines, Melvin.

RIKA

[Stillwater]

Originally posted by 223 fan
$ on a horse, trailer, tack, etc, then thousands MORE for his training, and thousands more for his "keep". Horses will be shot on SIGHT within 2 weeks of shtf, for their FLESH, and there's absolutley NOTHING you can do about that FACT. You can "rather" ride than walk all you WANT. It will have the SAME chance (of being effective () as a snowball in hell's "wish" tor emain unmelted. You people need to WAKE UP. Your PREFERENCES dont mean SQUAT.

If old MELVIN gets any funnier I am going to have to get a laugh filter for my computer.

Hey, MELVIN, where is it written that horses will be shot on sight within two weeks of SHTF. What part of your personal La-La land did that come from?

I think I will start calling you MELVIN the sage! I mean, you have looked into your crystal ball and seen all of the horses getting shot.

You dummy, no one knows what it will be like two weeks after the flag goes up. What makes a dunce you such an expert.

Bill

[Garand]

The reason that gunkid might not be able to control mules, could be because the mules have more common sense than gunkid has. Has that possibility been considered? This is horse country here, if you can't get through with a 4x4, you will be able to with a horse. A good horse can carry supplies for you that will last you weeks or more, far more than you can hump on your back.

[RIKA]

Garand, have you forgotten about the multi-purpose push powered main battle barrow that Melvin will carry his supplys in? Shame! :D

Old mel would rather do it the hard way since he is scared of horses and mules.

RIKA :D

[Magnum88C]

Originally posted by 84 C4
There are usually places that'll let you ride their horses for lessons or trail rides. Were do you live? I might be able to locate a few stables for ya'.:cool:

Yeah, that's what I do. But I'd rather have my own. Kinda like going over a friend's house to pet their dog vs having your own. I, unlike some here, like animals and would like to have a horse all my own to train and get it used to me. You just don't get that horse/rider connection on a rental.

The question about the buirros, was because I'd been told they tend to make better pack animals than horses, and horses better riding animals, the burros being tougher and all. But having never dealt with them, I don't know.

[Magnum88C]

Originally posted by Garand
The reason that gunkid might not be able to control mules, could be because the mules have more common sense than gunkid has. Has that possibility been considered? This is horse country here, if you can't get through with a 4x4, you will be able to with a horse. A good horse can carry supplies for you that will last you weeks or more, far more than you can hump on your back.

Or maybe the uber-ninja just got his as-s kicked (pun intended) by them a few times?

Another thing is, if you only have one horse (or burro), nothing says you have to ride it, you could guide it by the reigns while it packs the gear.

[84 C4]

Originally posted by Magnum88C
You just don't get that horse/rider connection on a rental.

That's not really necessary unless you're doing dresage, and I've always felt a connection with the horses I rode while I was living in Jax, Fl. Here in Texas, nope.

[Stillwater]

A fella, once asked me how I got my dog to do so much. I replied, well the first thing you have to be, is to be smarter than the dog.

Things became a little hostile for awhile. But, he got over it!

Bill