Who was BU, me driving or man on horse?

[EsmeraldaEllaBella]

Sorry for another car thread! Name changed recently but am a regular poster

So today I was driving in the countryside, road is wide enough for 2 cars, 60mph road, very straight. There were 3 people in a line on horses coming towards me on the opposite side of the road. I was going about 40mph but slowed to 30mph when I saw them. The man on the front horse started waving his arms and looked really angry saying slow down slow down! Wtf? horse people around here piss me off so much. Was I BU?!

Maybe horses should wear tutus

Like this???

Funny you should say that Owllady - this is me and my trusty girl Darcy earlier today

Or perhaps this would do the trick??

:o

As a cyclist I feel total solidarity with all the horse riders on this thread! Some drivers really need to chill the fuck out.

Someone mentioned upthread that it would be good for cyclists to call out before passing a horse - can any horsey types tell me what would be useful to shout? And are bells good or a no-no? Thanks

lynda I refuse to believe you. That is far too convenient!

Lynda, that's ace. I once hacked back from a charity event wearing pink. It did stop most of the traffic, apart from some wanker with a tractor and trailer. He was the one I really needed to stop.

Theoneandonlyitchymcitch My final point as I am getting overly invested in this and quite cross about IT is that people are being flippant about other people's lives here.

Yes, good point. No matter what you think about horses and their riders the most important thing is that it is a person and a living creature, take the extra minute, be respectful of those lives and slow down! Your time on the road is not more important than keeping, not only the rider but yourself and other drivers, safe!

This makes me glad I live in the city and have only seen a horse about twice in my life except in zoos and things. So for my education is horse riding a big thing on roads like do a lot of people do it. It's seems like even the best horse has the propensity to go crazy on a road due to cars and others noises. Will Def go slow if I see a horse now but think you must be v brave to be on road. Doesn't seem worth the danger to me

As a rider myself who has had some close calls with drivers like you, have this

Lynda, huge kudos to you (are those pointe shoes I spy - balletmum would be pleased). Plus darcy is massive! No way I would take a chance on doing anything over 3mph with her...

Zwellers some horses need to do road work - for example as part of their education to acclimatize them to traffic but to be honest the main reason I ride on roads is that I don't have a choice. I can't get to a bridle path without using a road to get there.

Breke "hi, bike behind" is good. If the horse is spooked just keep talking. They tend to calm down if they hear a voice, they seem to twig there's a perso, not just a scary thing.

Worth reading up on the response of prey and flight animals. Horses can get used to bikes. My horse associates them with me and a friend who sometimes cycles out with us, but fast bikes still make him a bit nervy.

I'm so sorry - that isn't really me! I should have put a winky at the end

I can find you some other pictures of me on a horse though not wearing a tutu sadly (me or the horse)

Cyclists usually just shout morning or can I pass or coming past. Anything that says "I'm a human not some weird alien on two wheels"

Awww Lynda, I am gutted.

This is my usual attire plus I add a high viz jacket. Bandages seem to help us be spotted more easily

Hollin your horse is gorgeous!!!

Gabilan, Hollinhurst - thank you. I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't really realised a horse would react positively to my voice, but that makes total sense now you've pointed it out. I always slow right down and go veeeeery wide, but if chatting helps too I can do that

Annoyingly our colour is purple so the hi viz clashes, but hey ho, needs must, even if we look like a giant overgrown and slightly hybrid wasp...

They can't see directly behind them so all they see is nothing then this weird thing whizzing past that looks like a human on two wheels. Mine is mostly bemused by cyclists but just shouting hi means I can shout back and horse understands plus it's nice

I have 12 sets but pink or orange is my favourite on her

Hollinhurst - I had this weird idea that shouting might make the horse jump! I always say morning/afternoon but more as I'm passing, rather than calling out before. Next time I'm out I will try the new approach.

12 sets!! You are worse than me! Mine is ok with cyclists, she just cannot stand the sudden whoosh when cars accelerate suddenly. She is a delicate creature. But she is well used to farm machinery etc so is steady on the road as long as people aren't twats. Which unfortunately they are.