Self-Defense against two-legged predators is not something trail riders want to worry about.  But according to some female equestrians in Washington state, the threat of attack is real.  “Women are much more vulnerable to attack than men are”, says Scot Hansen, a former mounted police officer who has created a self-defense course for women in Snoqualmie Valley, Wash.   “Add to the fact that there are more women (than men) riders out there, it’s more likely they will be attacked.”  Rather than falling prey, Scot is teaching his clients to use the power of their mounts to fight off predator! s if they are attacked.  “Many people respond the way a human would, not the way a horse would, and they don’t use his power.  A horse is a prey animal—he’s designed to flee.  But once a horse feels the need to fight back, they’re very powerful—and they do understand when their riders are in trouble”…….full text in the June issue.

For information about Scot Hansen's clinics, call Sandy Heisey at 425-830-6260 or visit www.horsethink.com.