Jones Incident

FlyDunes · Since 09 Oct 2007 1034 Posts Aloha XTreme Poster

I stopped by Jones on the way back from flying at the coast. It was only blowing about 11-13 and it was pretty cross. There was one other kiter there, a guy from Seattle.

The sun was going down and while we were both packing up, there was a local couple riding up the beach toward us on horseback with a colt following them. The other kiter had his back to the horses and didn't see how close they were when he popped his kite to put it away.

The horses spooked bad at the sound of the kite being deflated. One of them bucked up completely in the air (all four legs off the sand), threw its rider flat on his back and bolted down the beach. The other horses panicked too, but the other rider was able to stay on her horse. It was crazy sight. All flying sand, horses and people.

The rider that got bucked didn't move and lay there flat on his back. It scared the shit out of us. When we got to him, he let us know that he was OK and had just got the wind knocked out of him, but he still laid there for quite a while. His wife rode after his horse and the colt.

The other kiter was completely apologetic and bummed that he'd accidentally spooked the horses. The folks riding the horses, Scott and Theresa, were super cool about the whole thing. Scott said that the horse that threw him had just been broken and was already a little skittish.

Scott used to windsurf and is interested in learning to kite. They live in the house in the field right across the road from Jones and apparently own a lot of property out there. It would be a pretty great place for a kiter to live.

Anyway, it all ended good, After Theresa rounded up the horses they hung out with us for a while. They even asked if they could bring the horses close to the kites while the other kiter finished popping his struts so that the horses could get used to the sound!

I'm posting this just to let folks know to be careful about popping your kite if there are horses nearby. And to let everyone know how cool Scott and Theresa were, and to treat them good if you happen to meet them.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

in the old days it was called "sacking them out"
now it's called Imprint training.

We raised a couple horses from foals
if you do everything you can think of the first day they are alive
virtually nothing will spook them for the rest of thier lives

kids running in between thier legs
guns going off etc,,

so nice to have a tame horse Wink

that knows you will protect them

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

Horses are not on my favorite animals list for several reasons, the biggest being that horse people tend to be CRAZY. I've got some stories about rich psychotic horse people you wouldn't believe. Glad you dealt with levelheaded folks.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

horses and people are
different Very Happy

not all who own horses are rich and not all rich are crazy
quite a few
varibles

KidCorporate · Since 10 Jul 2007 563 Posts Addicted

NEVER, EVER, date a girl who owns a horse. That is all.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

so all you did was pull the plug on a kite valve and the next thing there are 4000 lbs of crazy animal flesh kicking everywhere. i'm no lawyer, but if some bystander got hurt i'd bet the horse owners would be on the hook. it's not like you set off a flash grenade for crying out loud.

maybe skittish horses ought to be on private land, not the public beach.

not to harsh on horses, i know they can be lots of fun and i grew up next door to one. but they can be a serious danger to all nearby when spooked.

i'm glad scott and theresa don't frequent my local beach. they may be very cool people but it sounds like they weren't using good judgment.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Horses are just like that.

Came down a dual use trail in cali on my mtn bike and the horses still a ways downt hill - freaked on my squeaking breaks and launched the rider - I felt terrible.

Don't see too many - occassionally on the beach at Manzo - just give them a wide berth.

"maybe skittish horses ought to be on private land, not the public beach"

- folks probably say the same thing about kiters

chanson · Since 31 Jan 2006 1874 Posts WISCONSIN Chimey

yeah, I've been around some spooky horses before..

I was fly fishing by horseback in the Bob Marshall wilderness in MT and my horse was labeled the "spooky/young/or dumb one"

Horse got stung by a bee on the head when we were on narrow trail..started running super fast then stopped...bucked me off onto my back and scary-close to the edge.... (don't blame him though), looked back at him and he was scratching his head on a coarse tree..

Got back on the beast and rode for another hour till we crossed the river, he saw the sand on the shore and tried to roll on me!!... Got my foot stuck in stirrup (?) and had to wiggle out before he crushed my leg! They called me 8 seconds after that. Very Happy

They said he was trying to rub his back cause he was sweating under the saddle....

Good times! Those are big animals...

Shocked

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

Nak · Mon Sep 22, 08 7:27 pm

pjc · Since 06 Mar 2005 649 Posts Addicted

kiters who are learning should steer clear of civillians. so should horses who are skittish. bombproofs horses and experienced kiters can enjoy some co-mingling with the population at large.

this is how accidents are avoided and access is maintained.

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

There are some archaic laws pertaining to horses in this state
If you are on the road and a horse rider puts up his hand
in a stop gesture ,it is illegal to pass them or come close
you must stop.
my guess is that there are some kind of laws(and liability) for spooking someones horse in general
It also used to be legal to shoot someone who is commiting arson (forest fires)