d_hoffman wrote:

PaulS wrote: guns from big to small, calibers that go from 25 to 50 caliber, velocities that range from 800 to 1800 and it will all boil down to two shots, fired in the dark, instinctively, at a target that you can see but not much more, emotions that run from fear of death to anger at what you are having to do. In that compressed moment in time you have to see your target, what is around and behind your target, if there are others that pose a threat, where you can get to cover, who else might be put in danger because of your actions and make up your mind if you will pull that gun that you carry to defend yourself or others. In a moment your life will change. It will change whether you pull your gun or not. it will change because you will find out in that moment what you are capable of doing to save your life or the lives of the ones you love. Practice to be the best you can be. Walk through every conceivable senario that might happen in your mind. Get used to watching for cover everywhere you go. Always be aware of your surroundings. Most of all, realize that having a gun on your side is not a reason to go into areas that you wouldn't go into unarmed. Your best defense is never putting yourself in harms way in the first place. Don't take risks with your life or the lives of those you care about. Since I started carrying 35 years ago I found that I took fewer chances. I stayed on the well lit streets where the crowds were. I actually took fewer risks than I did before - because if I have to pull the gun on my hip somebody is going to die. It might be me. .and all of that has to be done in the blink of an eye before you decide to whether or not to fire your weapon......... Scary isn't it?

I that doesn't scare you then you just aren't right in the head. It scared me the one time I had to pull my gun - and that was just a horse! Thankfully the owners were responsible people who had not only hobbled the animal but they took the time to tether it too. It ran out of tether before I had to shoot. I holstered my gun and walked on well shaken but confident.

A horse PaulS? A horse tried to attack you? You sure it just wanted you to set it free or give it a treat? Man...Don't stand near my fences or you will get stampeded by spoiled horses looking for attention.

I'd believe that, Bushy.
I think horses are like people...every once in a while, there is one that is just downright mean.
I once had to go into a corral to photograph some damaged property. The owner accompanied me, and warned me about the horse. "He bites" was all that was said. He tried twice, till I clobbered him good with my briefcase. He darn near got the owner, too.
We were both glad to be fininshed with the chore, and me to clean the horse slobber off my case..

On ocassion you will meet a mean one...Wonder why the owner didn't pull the horse out first before you went in?

I used to ride at a stable (Silver Saddle) outside Detroit. Their was one horse of notoriety there. His name was Old Spice. He would throw his head around and bite you on the foot or shin, bite the horse in front of him, try to scrub you off on brush or trees, kick at the folks behind and if you got the courage to break into gallop... he ran stiff legged and would absolutely jar your n*ts off... just make an ass of himself in general. I don't know why the owners were never sued! I would LOVED to have owned that horse... I would have arranged for him to have a very bad day!