Conquests - Part 3

I have chased a bear on horseback.

Where I grew up in Montana, we had a small ranch that shared a boundary with 150 sq. miles of National Forest. For a teenager seeking some quiet time alone... it was perfect. At a moment's notice I could jump on my horse and ride off for hours, only telling my mother I was going for a ride. Looking back I think about all the terrible things that could have happened to me (murdered by a crazed mountain man, struck by lightning, broken neck after falling from said horse, etc.), but being young and invincible I never really considered all of those things.

One summer afternoon in 1996 seemed like the perfect afternoon for a ride. It was cloudy but not stormy, there was a light breeze, and the temp. outside was just over 80. I went to the barn, grabbed my bridle, and called for Ashes (she was named Ashes in May - - born on the day Mt. Saint Helens erupted). As always, she came tearing up the hill to me, I threw her bridle on and we were off.

We went up the old logging trail behind the ranch... an hour ride up to a clear-cut area that overlooked the town below. I jumped off Ashes and dropped her reigns to the ground and laid down in the Indian Paintbrush that covered the hillside. After about 15 minutes, Ashes seemed to have munched her fill of wildflowers and grass, so I stood up and got ready to climb back on her. Quite suddenly, a small herd of about 10 Whitetail deer went racing by within arms reach of Ashes and I... followed immediately by a young Black Bear.

The bear had no interest in me or my horse. He was transfixed on the deer trying to get away. Ashes began stomping aggressively. I jump up on her as quickly as I could, and once she knew I was on board she took off after the bear. I have never in my life had a ride like that... she ran like she was flying - - jumping over stumps and downed trees effortlessly. She was on a mission, and it was to catch that bear.

After about 500 yards we came to a barb-wire fence, and Ashes stomped on the breaks, nearly tossing me over her head. I jumped off and got her to calm down as she paced the fence-line glaring off into the woods after the beast that had narrowly escaped her rage. It took a long time, but finally she was ready to go back.

At home, I told my father about what had happened, only to have him start laughing that big, whole bodied, full grin laugh that told me he knew something I didn't. "Ashes is an old mare. Before she was a regular riding horse she was really only used for breeding. She has that maternal protective instinct. Once she stomped a wild turkey to death when it got too close to her colt. You actually rode her while she chased that bear?"

I did. I probably shouldn't have, but it was the most memorable ride of my life.