Horses on the roads - AIBU to think its just not safe anymore - who is at fault?

[Heliom]

I am a rider, I consider myself a sensible and safe rider. I've been riding for over 25 years and feel the roads are becoming increasingly dangerous, drivers increasingly inconsiderate and quite literally now forcing riders off the road. I've worked really hard with my horse to make sure she is completely as road safe as possible, trained her to be calm around bikes, motobikes, tractors, buses, lorries etc and thank god I have after today...
this is the list of what I encountered today on a 'quiet' hack on country lanes.

1. Three motorbikes speeding down the road who saw us some way off and didn't even slow down, came thundering past.
2. A car speeding around a blind bend on a single track lane nearly took us and had to mount the verge to avoid us before speeding off
3. a HUGE tractor which took up most of the road which went straight passed a pull over spot and just stopped on the road. He expected us to pass inbetween him and the plough he was towing where we had less than 6inches either side and he refused to switch off his engine. Our horses are extremely good on the road and did pass but this was at their limit!
4. A massive group of cyclists who just came charging pass
5. A car who refused to pull off the road at all (there was room) forcing us to basically ake the horses down a ditch
6. Being beeped at (yes someone actually through it was sensible to beep their horn loudly at us) when they were behind us and we were going round a blind bend trotting as we knew we could pull in just a little way up and let the car pass. This was without doubt a particularly bad hack and probably one of the worst I've had but other roads users behaviours made it a horrid and quite frankly dangerous experience for us. If I had been on a younger or more inexperienced horse I have no doubt today would have ended very badly! Of course there are lots of very courteous drivers on the road, and we always make sure we move over when can, let people pass, say thanks, wear fluorescent clothing, etc. But I do feel it is becoming increasingly dangerous to ride on the road and the attitude seems to be that its my fault for taking on my horse on the road. Sadly I have few places left to ride and all bridleways need some road work inbetween. So AIBU to ride on the road, AIBU to expect drivers to take care of horses or am I being reasonable in thinking some/ many (not all) drivers are increasingly not caring about horses and other on the road....

That's horrendous and very sad to hear, very dangerous for you and your horse. I don't know what to suggest

Regardless of how unreasonable it is, it's fact that horses are very vulnerable on the roads. I think it's completely unfair to take a horse into such a dangerous situation and I judge riders for it. Judge 'em hard.

Find a hobby that doesn't force a sensitive living creature to share a space with tonnes of metal flying around at 30mph?

YANBU. We live semi rurally and on the roads around here you expect to see people horseriding and anyone with half a brain knows you pass as wide and as slow (and as safely) as you can. But driving around narrow windy country lanes seem to bring the people out that think they are rally drivers.

Some people's journeys are way too important to tolerate other road users it would seem.

Sadly I have few places left to ride and all bridleways need some road work inbetween
why have a horse then?
I wouldn't keep a large animal which needed exercising if there was no where to exercise it.

What if I had a pet cow but couldn't find any places where I could leave it to graze, no doubt people would tell me I ought not to get a cow if I didn't personally have the facilities to look after it.

Why should the rest of society have to accommodate your pets and your hobby?

Judge 'em hard.

I live in a very rural area - so peaceout your argument basically applies to the whole equestrian population.... but it answers my question in terms of some people think I've no right to ride a very well behaved horse on the road.

Peace - I don't think you understand how horses "work"! You are not being unreasonable op, sadly a lot of drivers dont seem to realize the road is not just for them. I don't cycle with my kids for this reason.

Peaceout Yabu. There is no problem if everyone just uses a modicum of patience and common sense. This covers all road users.

What's this sign for then if horse riders shouldn't ride on roads?

" What if I had a pet cow "

well you haven't and you are not going to, so its a very silly analogy.
I think there should be more awareness in driver education about horses.

NOt sure how effective that would be though. There are always arseholes.

I don't think it's just horses. I don't think roads are safe for cyclists either.

I'd rather not have to pass either on the roads

I'm afraid we live in a world where you and your horse are expected to be bombproof whatever the behaviour of other people. It's very sad, but increasingly people don't accommodate anyone else.

We live on a route used by horses and riders - not a particularly fancy area. In fact most people are surprised when I tell them about the regular riding we see.
I've never seen anyone drive like a twat near a horse and rider round here. In fact, I think it has a beneficial effect on driver behaviour.

YANBU
My sister came off and nearly landed under an HGV. This was caused by a couple of tossers who sped past literally inches from her horse and gave her the finger as they passed.

I am very bloody wary of horses and always pass wide and slow. Got a look from one rider as I waited to shut my car door until she had gone safely past! Horses can be unpredictable. Too many drivers are arseholes.

If you drive like an idiot around horses you are quite likely to get your headlamps kicked in by a back hoof. Or a horse sat on your bonnet.

I passed some horses on the road this morning. Slowly and gave them a wide berth. I was the only driver to do so.

All I thought was gosh-of all the things to do that could be considered fun, riding a horse on the roads round here ain't one of them.

You should be able to take down licence plate numbers. And report crisp drivers. Can you get a helmet cam ?

I'm not s horse rider but agree with you 100%

Helmet cam. Great idea. That in itself would help some drivers behave

...and hi viz..head to toe high viz....that's just for you.

also hi viz numnah, high viz brushing boots and hi viz tail guard.

Well, Peaceout's comment is one of the most stupid and ignorant I've ever read on MN. Not from the Countryside, eh Peace?

Sorry you've had to put up with so many inconsiderate idiots today OP .

I would also suggest a body can of some type so you can report dangerous driving.

*cam

I ride and have done for 20 years.

Its always been like this. Although i would say, like with all people, no ine innocent.

I live rurally and see loads of reckless horse riders out. Same for cyclists and motorbikers and car drivers.

One woman near me insists on riding her horse near a school when 3000+ pupils are coming out and the road is busy. The hirse spins in the road, bucks, screams, treis to charge at kids etc. All the cars always stop. But she barely has it under control and the horse is going to end up on someone bonnet or trampling some kids.

A cyclist club that passes through like to take corners very wide and end up on the other side of the road. I was coming up to a junction a few weeks ago and they came round the corner, 2 cyclists came on to my side of the road and nearly went over my bonnet.

Some people are dicks on the road. Regardless of their mode of transport.

Crisp = crap.

I would pay good money for an app that would actually let me type the words I want. Shit fuck cunt etc