Horses in residential streets

[DrScholl]

Why do horse riders think it is ok to go onto residential srreets ( not a through road to a field or anything) and let their horses shit all over the pavements and roads?

[DoYouRememberJustinBobby]

The legend of Diaper Horse.

[instantly]

This thread is an ideal example of how some peoples' opinions are so ignorant that they are not worth engaging with on any level.

[devilinmyshoes]

I quite like riding on roads even though strictly speaking we have no need, we have about five miles of canterable tracks but it's not very mentally stimulating for rider or horse to do the same routes all the time. There are only so many variations I can come up. I like going into and through the village to get to more exciting places, I like exposing the horses to bikes and lorries and cars and pushchairs and umbrellas and bunting and builders and so on in order to make them brave and noble as war horses!

I don't go on pavements though, not on purpose, unless in some sort of traffic crisis it would be safer or if the horse has some sort of moment and just hops onto it?

[ForalltheSaints]

Roads are not just for car drivers, although many think so judging by the way they behave towards cyclists. As long as horse are being well looked after and are using roads not pavements I have no issue.

[Blackfellpony]

I bet if we did get off and scoop it up there would still be something we are doing wrong.

AIBU. I was trying to get my little darling to dance club and was made late by a woman and horse trying to scoop up shit while the horse lost its mind at the sight of a plastic bag and threw itself into traffic, nearly sat on my bonnet and then the woman couldn't get back on the bloody thing.

Sometimes I think people need to just chill out and stop letting such little things stress them into an early grave!

[CatchIt]

Because they can OP.

I find it hilarious that you are all upset about them riding on the road near your house but don't have a problem with them riding on farmers land. You do know that being a farmer and having fields doesn't give anyone - horse riders included, to ride all over their fields without express permission?

I am a horse rider (& not a farmer) and sometimes it's nice to just ride around without the fear of getting mown down by someone speeding.

As PP have said, horse shit isn't as offensive as dog shit. Pick it up, shove it in an old pair of tights and stick in a watering can. Your garden will thank you for it.

[Cherrysoup]

No, Salsmum, horses should not be on pavements, just like bikes ought not to be (child rang her bell at me insistently the other day, apparently I was supposed to step into the path of an oncoming car with the dogs to get out of her way).

[Shadowboy]

To the post who stated riders should get in their horsebox - there are 1.3 million horse owners in the U.K! That's a lot of slow horse boxes on the road to slow you down. I'd rather get a bit of poo on the road than be stuck following a horsebox down an inevitably narrow country lane so they can get on a bridleway. Plus it just adds more fossil fuel gasses to the environment. No doubt you'd complain about the churned up verges as all those boxes try and park!

[devilinmyshoes]

Other drivers will usually do anything to avoid being stuck behind an HGV full of horses, most road users hate it because slow moving, can't brake suddenly so have to plan everything miles ahead.

[CaptainMarvelDanvers]

I wish more people rode horses than drive cars.

[weaselwords]

You should live in The Black County. Horses used to wander all over the place in residential areas. Sometimes tethered but often loose. I haven't seen many for a while so I wonder if the council have had a crack down?

[Cherryskypie]

The last horse rider I saw on the road was looking very embarrassed. Her horse had taken a few bites out of a carefully trimmed, ornamental tree at the edge of someone's lawn.There were bits all over the ground, leaves on her hat and trails of greenery from the mouth of the horse that was happily munching away as it walked. It cheered me up.

[FlyAwayFar]

I wish more people rode horses than drive cars.

Best post of the thread. A world where private cars were banned, and we all used trains, buses, bicycles & horses would be wonderful. Cleaner, safer, friendlier.

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

I am obviously in a minority here but I also hate seeing horses on roads. Horse riders get so worked up about how you must crawl past their high-strung creature because you might spook it: yes, that's why they shouldn't be on the road. Just like any other animal, if you can't control it then that's your problem. Similarly, all these 'what do you expect me to do about my logistical problem connected to having a horse?' - I don't care if it's inconvenient for you to solve the problems arising from you having purchased an impractical pet!

[SuperFlyHigh]

I work in Hammersmith and our local police station had a horse branch.

Used to love seeing them ride down to Brook Green and back, along the roads, on Shepherds Bush Road. Better behaved than most drivers too.

They've shut down the police station now so horses have moved.

[SpunkyMummy]

I don't care if it's an inconvenience to you

Well, aren't you just pleasant.... that makes about as much sense as saying: "I don't care how much my horse is an inconvenience to you..."

Horses are allowed to be on the street. If you can't deal with you should write to your MP... or start riding. Who knows, maybe you'll like it. And you might learn something about tolerance and understanding.

[SuperFlyHigh]

LisaSimpson I'd say to you the vast majority of horses are not highly strung but some are more nervy than others usually as the result of an inconsiderate driver trying to speed past it etc

In the countryside in theory test driving book you're minded to be careful when passing a farmer (shepherd) herding sheep for example, so as not to spook them, should be the same for most animals, even dogs!

And the vast majority of horse riders don't get worked up about vehicles passing they just want their horses and they themselves as riders to be respected. I haven't actually owned a horse but can ride and have ridden my aunt's horse on several occasions when in countryside (she has 2).

[SuperFlyHigh]

Spunky well said.

Lisa presumably is the same sort of person who'd complain about the police horses being exercised in London because they're impractical! But great to see in action on match days!

[SpunkyMummy]

super

Exactly.

I simply don't like inconsiderate people.

"Oh, you want to work part-time? Well, not my problem, you were the one that wanted to have children."

"Your baby is sleeping? I don't care if me playing the piano is an inconvenience to you."

"You have ptsd and don't want me to make loud noises/walk behind you? Why should I care?"

Not speeding past a horse is simply common decency. Horses are a part of the English country side/smaller towns.

Horses are allowed to be on the street.

Road apples aren't dangerous and don't inconvenience cars in any way.

But I agree, they shouldn't be on the pavement.

[LisaSimpsonsbff]

Yes, having a horse is just like having a baby or a disability...

For what it's worth, I do practice what I preach: we cat-proofed our garden so that our cat could have some outdoor space but didn't upset the many keen gardeners who live near us. Having a pet is a wonderful thing for the owner but I think it's extraordinarily selfish to imagine that everyone else should just have to joyfully embrace any annoyances caused by the animal that you own.

[instantly]

Horse riders get so worked up about how you must crawl past their high-strung creature because you might spook it:

You're wrong here. The risk isn't simply spooking the horse, it is killing the rider, and if you can't see that you're a fool.

[Jinglebellsandv0dka]

The horse riders round here are selfish cunts. The actually ride/walk on the pavement meaning I have to push my pram on the road to avoid the heaps of steaming shit that is just free falling from there arses. I do t care if there shite is good for flowers, if I wanted fertiliser I'd buy some from the shop. And why is it deemed acceptable for great heaps of horse shit to be just left in the street with no one taking responsibility for it? Not every one wants to run out with shovels being ever so grateful for the free manure.

I live semi rurally and there is around 4/5 horse riding stables near me and sometimes the women riding them are bloody dangerous and think they own the road.

[Jinglebellsandv0dka]

You're wrong here. The risk isn't simply spooking the horse, it is killing the rider, and if you can't see that you're a fool

Well the rider needs to place the horse is safe responsible situations too. I was behind a tail back caused between two riders walking a breast and when a car when passed faster than what the horse rider liked she was spitting mad screaming effing and jeffing and waving her stick in the air like a crazed women. Not all riders are safe.

[Minesril]

I passed a horse yesterday while cycling down the Cambridge Busway. That was wierd, but made me smile.

I was wondering about the etiquette, though: do i slow down, stop, get off?

[SpunkyMummy]

Lisa

Well, at least you do practice what you preach :)

But yes. Some people have children, some have horses. Unless you actually have both you'll always be biased...

But yes, a spooning horse-car... that may kill the rider and or the driver!

Horses are allowed to be in the street. Speeding passed them or honking may cause death and or injury...


If you don't want horses on the streets you can write your MP, be politically active or whatever. What you shouldn't do is drive in a way that endangers people. People that are doing nothing wrong, they are allowed to use the roads, after all...