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Original poster

Anyone want to have a go at explaining this truly weird behaviour?

39 replies

TooManyAnimals94 · 06/08/2023 11:35

I was out on my horse this morning and a woman came out onto the path from a gateway just ahead of me with her dog on a lead. She definitely saw me as she came out of the gate (important later).

As a horse moves a bit faster than a person we became level at a fork in the path and it turned out we were both going the same way. She pulled the dog in close and I assumed she was going to let me pass, was all ready to say "Thank you" and carry on ahead of her.

But it turns out she was letting the dog off the lead, then stepped almost in front of us and threw a tennis ball for the dog so he ran across the path in front of my horse. I stood still for a second then walked on again but she proceeded to walk in the middle of the path with the dog just ahead of her.

It's a track I normally trot down so, ignoring the rudeness from her said "Would you mind if I pass?"

She mumbled something I couldn't hear then started jogging, I presumed to catch up with the dog and put him on his lead but no, she proceeds to jog in front of me down the path, dog still loose.

I thought sod this, it's the only decent bit of ground before the road so I'll trot anyway but it must have looked like I was chasing this woman, it was so weird. She then ducked down a footpath and I carried on. No chance to really call out and ask why she did what she did.

She wasn't dressed for jogging either so I don't think it was planned.

I know this makes me sound really petty but it was such a bizarre reaction!

Any suggestions or other weirdness to report?

OP posts:
Pocketfullofdogtreats · 06/08/2023 11:40

She's an idiot. No one in their right mind does something that might spook a horse. Maybe she doesn't like the fact that you ride down there? Sees it as more of her 'right' to throw the ball than it's your 'right' to ride? A bit like the cars being twats to cyclists thing? (And vv)

Pinkitydrinkity · 06/08/2023 11:46

Probs new to the countryside or a holidaymaker?

NeverDropYourMooncup · 06/08/2023 11:49

Maybe she was trying to desensitise the dog to horses - the throwing the ball was to distract or reward him for not reacting to it - and running in front of you was so that the dog didn't have its prey drive stimulated by 'chasing' you?

ssd · 06/08/2023 11:54

She's probably sat talking to her dh about getting chased by a mad woman on a horse.....

billyt · 06/08/2023 11:57

NeverDropYourMooncup · 06/08/2023 11:49

Maybe she was trying to desensitise the dog to horses - the throwing the ball was to distract or reward him for not reacting to it - and running in front of you was so that the dog didn't have its prey drive stimulated by 'chasing' you?

De-sensitive her dog to horses? FFS. Easier to keep the bloody dog on the lead. I always keep mine on his lead whenever around horses.

She sounds like a twat.

billyt · 06/08/2023 11:58

NeverDropYourMooncup · 06/08/2023 11:49

Maybe she was trying to desensitise the dog to horses - the throwing the ball was to distract or reward him for not reacting to it - and running in front of you was so that the dog didn't have its prey drive stimulated by 'chasing' you?

De-sensitive her dog to horses? FFS. Easier to keep the bloody dog on the lead. I always keep mine on his lead whenever around horses.

She sounds like a twat.

Doliveira · 06/08/2023 12:04

She is unfamiliar with horses and was a bit freaked.

OfficerChurlish · 06/08/2023 12:04

Most likely she's just self-absorbed and hasn't ever been around horses at all - she followed her own whims and basically ignored you and the horse. She'd probably have done the same if you'd been riding a bicycle. And/or she's a nutter. I wouldn't worry too much about finding a rational explanation.

MoonLion · 06/08/2023 12:06

She is unfamiliar with horses (maybe recently moved from the city) and didn't understand the right thing to do.

MrsFarmerTom · 06/08/2023 12:06

Probably doesn't know much about horses. I don't either, but my understanding is they can be lethal if they spook, rear up and come down hard on you. I wouldn't risk it!

WhateverMate · 06/08/2023 12:08

Doliveira · 06/08/2023 12:04

She is unfamiliar with horses and was a bit freaked.

Yes this was my first thought.

Like when you need to make a decision in a hurry and you get it terribly wrong.

InSpainTheRain · 06/08/2023 12:22

She's an idiot trying to prove her dog walking had as much right as your horse riding. You can't explain it because it stems.from stupidity not rationality.

Usernamen · 06/08/2023 12:26

ssd · 06/08/2023 11:54

She's probably sat talking to her dh about getting chased by a mad woman on a horse.....

I think I’ve seen that thread.

BMW6 · 06/08/2023 12:26

^^ this I reckon, totally twattish behaviour

JudgeRudy · 06/08/2023 12:29

I'd say it was a deliberately act of passive aggression. She's likely annoyed because she was going to allow her dog to roam lead free but the etiquette is that horses/riders take presidence. I'd imagine she thinks this is wrong/unfair and is making a point.
You did the right thing. Don't over think it.

Readingineading · 06/08/2023 12:31

InSpainTheRain · 06/08/2023 12:22

She's an idiot trying to prove her dog walking had as much right as your horse riding. You can't explain it because it stems.from stupidity not rationality.

Pretty much this. Unfortunately.

MrsSkylerWhite · 06/08/2023 12:31

Is it a bridle way or a footpath?

INeedAnotherName · 06/08/2023 12:37

I agree with pp. She thought she had doggy rights over horses/you. A stupid, dangerous, selfish and utterly entitled view.

However, I must admit I would love her hear her side of the story 😂

Original poster
TooManyAnimals94 · 06/08/2023 12:54

INeedAnotherName · 06/08/2023 12:37

I agree with pp. She thought she had doggy rights over horses/you. A stupid, dangerous, selfish and utterly entitled view.

However, I must admit I would love her hear her side of the story 😂

I know, me too! If it wasn't for deliberately letting her dog off and staying in the middle of the path I'd be inclined to agree with the PPs who say she was unsure what to do and made a mistake but it did feel quite passive aggressive.

OP posts:
Original poster
TooManyAnimals94 · 06/08/2023 12:56

MrsSkylerWhite · 06/08/2023 12:31

Is it a bridle way or a footpath?

Obviously a bridlepath. I don't ride on footpaths.

OP posts:
Original poster
TooManyAnimals94 · 06/08/2023 12:56

Usernamen · 06/08/2023 12:26

I think I’ve seen that thread.

Show quote history

Ngl I'm half hoping she's a MN user and I get an answer 😂

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 06/08/2023 12:59

Did she come out of a house’s gate op? If so I bet she’s one of those types that think they own the road they live on.

I have to confess, I live on a private road (in a city centre, no horses around!) and I have caught myself thinking “who the hell are you?” when I see an unfamiliar car. Utterly ridiculous! Obviously I quickly cop onto myself! I certainly don’t enter into any kind of competition with other legitimate road users!

SoCentralRain · 06/08/2023 13:01

Pinkitydrinkity · 06/08/2023 11:46

Probs new to the countryside or a holidaymaker?

I’m a townie and we all know you don’t let your dog off lead near horses or indeed jog in front of them 😆 No she sounds like she thought she had more of a right to be there than you and she made the point by acting very very weirdly in front you. Passive aggressive mad dog woman who doesn’t like horses is my bet.

Original poster
TooManyAnimals94 · 06/08/2023 13:05

BitOutOfPractice · 06/08/2023 12:59

Did she come out of a house’s gate op? If so I bet she’s one of those types that think they own the road they live on.

I have to confess, I live on a private road (in a city centre, no horses around!) and I have caught myself thinking “who the hell are you?” when I see an unfamiliar car. Utterly ridiculous! Obviously I quickly cop onto myself! I certainly don’t enter into any kind of competition with other legitimate road users!

No it was an NT car park but opens onto the bridleway, not NT land.

OP posts:
Dibbydoos · 06/08/2023 13:17

What a complete idiot she is. The horse could have kicked out, the dog gone for the horse- we're all told to keep dogs on lead near horses and livestock or any myriad of ither catastrophes, stupid is as stupid does.

Well done for managing your horse and self.