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?!

Like others have said 30 was far too fast. Both of our daughters rode horses and we slow to a crawl past any horse and rider. Would it have cost you to slow the 30 down to a 5 for the few seconds it takes to pass them?

*Just realised that my syntax implied that recreational cyclists can control a spooked horse.

I rarely ride on roads anymore because so many people like the OP do not know the highway code!
Just dangerous!

Goodness. Yabu. You were going far too fast. I normally crawl around 5-10mph probably past a horse. But I don't think anyone has ever told me that. So, I guess you mightened have known. At least you do now given the unanimous responses.

You were way too fast, lucky that you didn't end up causing a major accident.

30 is far too fast when passing a horse. No matter how well trained a horse is, it can still get spooked easily. Although I haven't been horse riding for many years, what used to annoy me even more that fast drivers, were those who would slow right down, pass the horse and then accelerate suddenly. That always spooked my horse more.

Slow down to walking pace as soon as the horse appears and don't speed up again until it is out of sight. I promise you, a dead horse on your bonnet will really spoil your day. I don't ride on the road anymore because drivers are so inconsiderate. And cyclists - shout out if you're coming up behind, because you're just as scary and much more vulnerable in a one-on-one with a horse than a car is.

What they all said.

Plus, if a horse rider ever waves an arm, it is asking you to slow right down and be very, very careful. They usually have good reason, like a young horse not used to traffic or easily scared. In that case i'd all but stop and let them pass me.

Well I am glad you have taken it on board.
A horse can spook across a road in a split second - nothing any rider can do about it-and crush you to death if it lands on your car. So if you dont care about the horses and riders you could bear this in mind :(

At least OP has the grace to be embarrassed.....

Here's a clip from years ago.

*horses, not horseshoes!

Yabu. You crawl and i mean crawl past a horse giving a wide birth. 10mph or less is about the right speed.

Yup. Very embarrassed. And definitely right whoever said they're not surprised I dislike horse riders - of course they're always rude to me because of how I drive

Thanks all for the links and advice

I always crawl past horses as I don't trust the fuckers. I usually get a wave.

I think that's the correct way it should happen. I slow right down but horsey people still say thank you.

YABU - very much so.

You should have slowed down to 10-15 for a few minutes. You'd be the first person to complain of the horse had of spooked and bolted into your car damaging it. Believe me a terrified horse weighs enough to dent your car.

Don't be so precious and selfish. Arrogant car drivers are a problem to horses and there riders.

I ride daily on the roads around our farm. They all have a 60 limit. I've had idiots fly past me when I've been clearly signalling for them to slow down. My horses aren't phased by traffic but you just never know if something will spook them. 30 is FAR too fast to pass a horse.

And here's a clip more illustrative of what you did

I think the OP has got the message now .

Always always crawl past horses, The 30 seconds extra on your journey is a lot less inconvenient than a horse panicking and throwing its rider

You're an idiot, but you know this already . Lesson learned.

Horses are buggers when they want to be, even the most bomb proof can, for their own entertainment occasionally, just spook at a bush, a bin or a crisp packet.

You never know what a horse is going to do, so best to watch the rider and if they ask you to stop, do so. Otherwise just drive slowly past them giving as much space as possible.

I bet you are glad you name changed

I think I'd hide the thread and pretend it didn't happen.

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30 is far too fast to pass a horse. A spooking horse can move any way it wants. It could rear up, kick out, spin, bolt forward or shoot across the road sideways in a split second. It will literally do whatever to get away from what has spooked it.

Also, please obey the riders signals. They know their horse and are giving you instruction for their safety as well as your own.

I am a horse rider and drivers like you terrify me.

I am a competent and confident rider but there is not much scarier than being on half a tonne of frightened animal with a car speeding towards you.