AIBU?
to think horse boxes should keep off major commuter routes during rush hour
LisasCat · 15/04/2011 09:46
To clarify, the commuter route in question is a single carriage A road that connects two large UK cities. And this was at 8.30am!
I manage to bite my tongue when it's tractors (and there are enough of those that use the road in question). I remind myself that the farmer is doing an invaluable and often thankless job that keeps us all in food, and I don't know enough about agriculture to comment on whether or not it's absoutely essential that he drives his machinery at 20mph 5 miles along this road at 8.15am. I may silently swear a lot, but I try to give him the benfit of the doubt.
But horse boxes? Come on people. It's a hobby. I don't care if your darling daughter does need to be at a gymkhana with her pony, Princess, in order to win some lovely multi-coloured ribbons. Time your journey so that you are not on major roads at 8.30am, or don't be surprised if the 5 mile tailback of slowmoving traffic who are all trying to get to work starts to show a bit of aggression.
BehindLockNumberNine · 15/04/2011 10:07
It is not a major commuter route, it is a route for everyone which commuters choose to use.
And at 8.30 in the morning it will not be a girl going to a gymkhana. Those are at weekends, so they don't interfere with selfish drivers commuters.
At 8.30 in the morning it will be a horse going to the vet / to market / to a new home / to a stud for erm studding etc. Business, not a hobby.
Goblinchild · 15/04/2011 10:12
Everyone has the right to use the roads, including the impatient and selfish.
That said, round here the tractors and horseboxes often pull over briefly to let traffic build up ease.
I tend to dislike large 4x4 that block my view, often with only one person in the vehicle, and cars with twin exhausts that varoom loudly, and people in a hurry that don't take care and pull out without looking. We've all got things that irritate us on the roads. Leave earlier when the congestion is less. I get to work for 8am at the latest and the roads are much clearer.
Do you car share OP? Or are you part of a long line of drivers, one per vehicle, all heading to the same destination?
ratspeaker · 15/04/2011 10:28
Could have been someone moving a heavy item not nessecarily a horse at a time the driver of said horse box was available
I once transported a car engine in a horse box
Maybe a sick horse, goat, cow, pig
Maybe someone fleeing an abusive relationship loading all they can get into first available transport
gastonscave · 15/04/2011 10:29
Totally agree OP and why oh why do the horsey set around here go out riding during the morning rush hour.
People on the school run; yes I'm in my 4X4, I work on a farm dont you know; people driving to work and horses on country lanes don't mix. It's not like they don't have anything else to do all day
SarahStrattonHasNiceBears · 15/04/2011 10:30
YABU and rather stupid.
Next time BigHorse colics, and has to be rushed to the vet hospital, I'll make sure to tell him not to do it during rush hour. I'm sure he won't mind. An obviously he means nothing to me so I won't mind making him wait a few hours even if it does kill him
I know what I mean anyway.DarkSkies · 15/04/2011 10:34
SarahStratton- you could walk him up and down the school stable yard in a thunderstorm, that would be better surely? [weak MT joke]
Lisascat- you sound like someone who also gets incensed by pensioners shopping at times other than during the schoolday 
If you drive on rural roads, you have to accept associated rural-type traffic.
tallulah · 15/04/2011 10:36
Highway code
169
Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.
It would be lovely if occasionally this rule could be enforced. OP YANBU.
olderyetwider · 15/04/2011 10:37
gastonscave, you live in the country, there are horses. We ride on the roads, there is traffic. Best all round if we're all as considerate as possible, but I have as much right to be on the road on my horse (or with my horsebox) as you do in your car. I always try to let drivers get past, and generally drivers are patient with us.
Lisascat, live and let live, and if you haven't got time for hold ups on the road, you've not left home early enough.
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