To think he should have stopped and checked.

[soapybubbles123]

I was having an outdoor riding lesson this evening with both myself and my instructor riding. The roads we we use have minimal traffic but if we do meet a car/tractor we move onto the verge or into a passing place as quickly and safely as possible.
Two large tractors pulling trailers came up behind us so my instructor used hand signals to ask them to stop so we could trot into the passing place a few metres up the road. The leading tractor ignored her and carried on behind us and my horse spooked and ran off. I lost my balance and fell off onto the road on my back with my foot caught in the stirrup. The tractor eventually stopped as he couldn't get past with me in the road but didn't even look at us to check I was alright, never mind get out. I got up after a few minutes when I could move and we moved the horses so the tractors could pass. He completely ignored us and carried on driving with his headphones while smoking a cigarette.

I know its hay making season and they're trying to beat the weather but we would literally have been out of his way in a minute if he'd just waited. I'm now covered in nettle rash and with a very sore, bruised back.

Oh no that sounds so terrible. I hope you are ok!!

What a dick.

Sorry that sounds flippant. I'm not sure what can be done but what twattish behaviour! Irresponsible. He should be used to riders in the road :-s

YANBU. The guy was a dick.

It's common knowledge that horses spook easy, he should have waited.

This is the first time you have come across this? you have been lucky. this happens all the time as about 80% of other road users are dicks, that list includes other riders, cyclist and drivers but is not exclusive to modes of transport. Yes he was a knob but its something you will get used to (or you can borrow my foul mouth and attitude problem if you have a particularly bad day).

You get a different type of tractor driver at this time of year, students coming in for harvest.
I remember many summers of my Dad looking up the farm from the kitchen window at his freshly harvested fields as the bailing contractors arrived saying 'the hooligans are here' pretty much summed up their tractor driving.

What's the man smoking got to do with it?

The fact that he was smoking whilst driving a large vehicle on a road only just wide enough for it. Clearly he felt he didn't need both hands on the wheel to control the tractor even when faced with two horses and a rider lying in the middle of the road.
I just don't think its very safe behaviour.