Horses in a survival situation?

[shalaaa]

Hi all. I'm writing a short story about two people getting lost in the California mountains in early winter with their two horses. Both of the humans are healthy, but both are a little under dressed for the weather and don't have the opportunity to make a fire. They have absolutely nothing on them--not even water. Now, I've never owned a horse in my life, so I was wondering if those of you who have help me out a little in the realism of that aspect.

Is it possible to use the horses as warmth in some way? (i.e., tie them down and have them lie down next to the two people in some way so they stay warm.) If it is possible, how can this be achieved?

How feasible is it for someone with little horse experience to ride a horse bareback over an extended period of time (three or four days)?

And while I do not support animal abuse, I so believe in willful force in survival situations. Nevertheless, I'd like to do it realistically. I really just want these two people to use the horses and their wits to survive through three days in the mountains. Any suggestions?

[chinookpilot77]

use your light saber to split it open, complain about the stench, then shove your little buddy inside of the tauntaun...wait..nevermind, you were talking horses. No idea.

[Rick]

You want us to do your homework for you? This starts every year right after school starts.

[welderguy]

use your light saber to split it open, complain about the stench, then shove your little buddy inside of the tauntaun...wait..nevermind, you were talking horses. No idea.

Oh man , you got one of them survival lightsabers!! I'm jealous!! But seriously, riding bareback for long periods of time sucks but can be done, done by someone with little experience well I don't know about that. riding in a saddle for a long time sucks too, as for laying down with a horse, not recommended, they can roll on top of you and well a 1000# of horse can do some damage, not to mention getting pawed by their hoofs. As for how a horse can keep you warm, well you wouldn't be able to ride it anymore let just leave it at that.

[shalaaa]

Thanks for the replies guys! Yeah, I know--it's a weird question. I honestly had a feeling it wouldn't be feasible to use the horses' body heat to keep warm, especially taking into consideration how powerful they are (and those hooves!). I just wanted so much for it to be possible, I thought I'd give it a go on here.

And I've actually already graduated from university, so no, this isn't a homework question, it's just an innocent question. Unfortunately, a bizarre question like this isn't something I can look up in an encyclopedia. If I could, I would. In fact, if anyone knows a good book about survival with horses, I'd love to read it. Excuse me if I thought the point of a forum was to ask a broad range of experienced people questions about their experiences.

[Rick]

Indeed it is. But not generally on your first post without any other information to help us help you. Are you a writer by trade? Is this a commercial work you are working on? Is this just something you are doing as a hobby? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Highhawk1948]

I have cared for, owned, trained, ridden, and fallen off horses for years. Can an inexperienced rider ride bareback for extended times? It all depends on the horse mainly but also the rider. Bareback without a halter or bridle? No unless you and the horse are trained for it. You can train your horse to lay down and you can sit or lay on it but doesn't sound like these people in your story would have that kind of a horse, or even know the Qs to make it lay down. And sooner or later that horse will get up, you will not stop 1000 plus pounds from doing what it wants unless you are trained and then it is tough sometime. Really you are imagining things that just are not going to be. Please read up on horses, etc. before using them in your story. Horses need to be fed and watered during trail rides, events, etc. It would be like you working hard with no food or water.

Having written short stories, my advice to you is stick with something you know about or go to a stable and talk with some horse people. Take a lot of notes.

[shalaaa]

Well, I would describe myself as a hobby writer and an outdoor enthusiast and a horse-lover. Of course, I want to do justice to the things I love, so realism in every scenario is my goal. To tell you the truth, I am finding the horses in this short story to be a headache. They need water, rest, feed--and generally don't do much to help in a survival situation. They can't scale cliffs, are easily spooked; admittedly, they're quite useless, but god forbid I have my characters eat them! I was hoping they could at least keep my characters warm.

Although I do admit I did zero-in on this forum just so I could ask this question. Registered today, activated today--the whole lot.

[Highhawk1948]

If those horses were rode or trailered in there, they can be ridden out. Jump on them and ride!!

[shalaaa]

But what if you're lost? o_o

[Highhawk1948]

Follow the roads on horseback. Without all of the facts I am lost also.

[SARKY]

I've had horses and the only time I've seen them lie down to sleep was in the barn and not all the time. They did a lot of sleeping standing up. As to warmth for the people, a 2 person debris hut would work just fine. And just what is the matter with eating a horse? The Apaches had no problem doing that when the horse became a burden. If you aren't used to riding, with or without a saddle, you will be saddle sore. I did 3 days on a horse with a damm good saddle and by the second day my legs were so wobbly I couldn't stand and my thighs burned. The third day I walked/jogged the horse as much as I rode him(gelding) and was better for it.

[crashdive123]

Highhawk mentioned this, and I would agree. Go hang out with horse people. Get to know the people that own, care for, groom and ride horses.

The internet is an amazing tool, and we are generally very happy to offer advice when asked (an introduction in the Intro section is helpful) sometimes it takes getting out and doing to learn. Boots in the field (or butts in the saddle) if you will.

If you want to make your writings as realistic as possible you may not be served as well with information on the internet.


Anyway - welcome to the forum. Hope you decide to stay.

[finallyME]

use your light saber to split it open, complain about the stench, then shove your little buddy inside of the tauntaun...wait..nevermind, you were talking horses. No idea.

Dang you.......I was going to say that......and I thought they were smelly on the outside!

[hunter63]

Hunter63, saying Hey and Welcome to the forum.
I don't know much of anything about horses, except that every one I know that has them.....it has become a life time commitment of time and money.

[Seniorman]

Good luck with your story, Shalaaa. As the old saying goes, "Good writing ain't easy: the good writers just make it look like it is."

Always do your "homework." It makes the flow of your story much easier... and far more believable. At least that's what the big boys down at the pool hall told me.

S.M.

EDIT: What's wrong with eating a horse? In France it's called "French Steak." Besides, the western American Indian tribes, explorers, and fur trappers had no problem at all eating their horses and mules when in starvin' times.

EDIT AGAIN: If you're just getting into wrting, here is some advice from a master. Take it for what it is worth.

http://www.writingclasses.com/Inform...php/PageID/304

[karatediver]

Take the fresh horse manure right after it drops and shove it under your shirt for warmth. After doing this for a few hours the rescuers will be able to smell you for miles making your rescue much quicker.

[hunter63]

Never name your horses....or any other animal you may have to eat some day.........

[finallyME]

I named my first rabbits "Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner". After butchering many animals in front of my kids, they are just used to it. They still name the chickens.

[DSJohnson]

okay...so all of a sudden they have the horses but nothing else. If these are not "Wild" horses then let them be your path finder. I promise they will find their way down off that mountain faster than your two humans will. If they are broke/tame enough for two "non" rider types to be able to mount them then I promise the horses will know how to get back to the barn. I have been riding mules and horses in the Southern Rocky Mountains for over 25 years now and I think that the horses would be a real asset if you can make it believable. I know I would feel better in the mountains if I had my mule with me. Can not figure out why the humans would not have "anything" with them though. Were they robbed? Are they naked also? barefoot? "Early Winter" is not a factor if you are 9 or 10000 feet up. It is almost winter most of the time then. It snows in July at that elevation.