As I read the front page story in the Aug. 20, 2013, Albertan about the crash that killed a horse , my heart went out to the family as I know the loss of your riding partner. However, I feel that this unfortunate accident could have been avoided.
As I read the front page story in the Aug. 20, 2013, Albertan about the crash that killed a horse, my heart went out to the family as I know the loss of your riding partner. However, I feel that this unfortunate accident could have been avoided. Running toward the horses and waving your arms with a light was not the correct approach, especially alongside of the highway. Their natural instinct is to run away especially if they are startled. I’m sure many horse owners would agree with me. It’s one of the first things you learn for this reason.
Pulling off to the side of the road with four-ways on and calling the police for assistance or calmly walking up to horses and trying to lead them to a safer place until help arrived might have been a better idea. There are a lot of acreages along the highway with horses and they might have been able to assist in some way as well.
I live right on Highway 27 as well and yes, my horses have gotten out a few times. Luckily my neighbours have seen them loose and called me letting me know where they were, which was usually in their field. They never went near the highway, thank God.
I usually put oats in a bucket and give it a shake and they come back down the road to the barn or I calmly walk up to them with the oats and click the lead onto one so the others will follow behind. They love their oats and that is the way I have them trained.
As for the vehicle and passengers that were involved, saying, "I don’t know how she didn’t see it," was unfair. She sees horses running down the side of the highway because someone is running after or toward them, doesn’t expect one to run out onto the highway in front of her. It’s just like a deer on the side of the road and then all of a sudden it decides to jump across the highway to the other side. These things happen unexpectedly. You should be saying, "I’m glad no one was killed."
Again I am very sorry for your loss and understand you may have panicked at the sight of your horses walking on the side of the highway.
They always tell us to be prepared. Maybe for some of us with livestock, we could be prepared and have extra halters, leads and oats for such a situation as this.
Once again, my condolences.
Kim Salmond,
Olds
