Helping Rapture Heal

On Dec. 28 2014 My friend and I were trail riding in Blossom Valley trying to get to the main trail. When out of no where we heard a dog growling and running towards us. As we turned our horses around we realized we had no where to go, our hopes was that the dog would run up to us and realize the horses are much larger and scarier. We were wrong. The dog lept off of the ground going straight for my friends horse Rapture. It was going for his throat, trying to kill him. My friend tried everything to get the dog off, kicking, screaming, yelling as the dog tore into her precious horses neck. As the 3 of them are intertwined Rapture looses his balance and falls, causing Stacey to fall of. I was afraid the dog was going after Stacey now that she is on the ground. I yell, thats when Rapture takes off up the hill, causing the dog to turn from Stacey and chase him. As Stacey is lying in the road, she screams "he is going to kill my horse. I take off after Rapture and the dog. This dog grabbed Raptures hind end and pulled him to the ground. At this point I was certain the dog was going to eat him alive. I pointed my horse in their direction and ran towards them. I went straight for Rapture knowing my horse would trample the dog. The dog was in between my horse and Rapture, I was able to start beating the dog on the head with my crop whip and get infront of him long enough that he stumbled in the street, letting Rapture get away. I continued up the hill, finally caught Rapture. A witness to this event brought Stacey up to where we were over 1/2 mile away. Rapture has injuries to his hind end and front left should, Cleo, my horse has brusing to her front left hoof. Stacey has a concussion, brusing and a bite from the dog. I have brusing, shoulder and back pains. My saddle has dog claw marks on the flap and scrathes. Staceys is much worse it is torn in half, claw marks and scratches all over. This traumatic experience has changed the way we thought of trail riding, we are scared to even ride off of our property now. This is also the second time this dog has attacked a horse and rider. Our horses are under vet supervision now, Stacey and I have been check out by our Drs. This was the worst day of our lives.