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....

Limited I have no list! Anyone is entitled to use the roads. I just think horses should not be on a road. They're unpredictable & a danger to other road users. It's a pain having to crawl past them when there's plenty of fields etc for them trot around.

Anyone is entitled to use the roads.

Yeah, they are Trevor. Fucking annoying, ain't it? When you rule the world it will all be different. But until then...

Do you think it would be okay for an insured road user to mow us down?

Of course not!

According to Trevor only mechanical modes of transport are entitled to use the road, and cyclists which I guess mechanical to a lesser degree.

I'd prefer ALL road users to use the mechanics of their brain on the road instead.

Just because something requires oil, does not make you king of the road.

They're unpredictable & a danger to other road users.

So are a lot of drivers.

when there's plenty of fields etc for them trot around.

Lol

I'm not annoyed by anyone using the road, I never said I was? Other than horses.

I'm not annoyed by anyone using the road, I never said I was? Other than horses.

But what do you have against horsies Trevor? Did one scare your mother while you were in her womb?

Polly who mentioned anything about uninsured drivers? Of course they shouldn't be on the road. Your beginning to sound hysterical.

Everyone is entitled to their point of view, I like horses. I just don't think they should be on the road. I'm not a horse hating monster. Other people have a different view & fair play to them.

Horses were using roads before cars....just saying

I like hedgehogs and cats trevor but if they get run over I wouldn't blame people. But horses with people on their backs however...

"I'm not annoyed by anyone using the road, I never said I was? Other than horses."

Is there a specific reason for this trevorthebikethief?

You do say "They're unpredictable & a danger to other road users. It's a pain having to crawl past them when there's plenty of fields etc for them trot around."

Indeed horses can be unpredictable, but then so are young children, teenagers fooling about, drunk people, dogs (on and off leads).... (Not exhaustive) Should they also be banned?

It's a pain to slow down, why exactly? It's a pain for me to have to wait to cross the road, but I do it because to not do so would put myself and other road users in danger. You have to slow down for any vehicle moving slower than you - tractors, buses, HGV, cyclists - why is it just a pain for horses?

And the plenty of fields argument - 20 years ago you had a point IMO, however at least near me, we've been stopped using the edges of fields (used by standing permission) because of the increase in motor vehicles (4x4's, quads and motorbikes) using them and trashing the fields, destroying crops and endangering livestock. The gates and gaps we used are sealed now, leaving no option but to ride along the road to the bridleway.

Being honest I don't like riding on the road, but to access a bridleway, I have little choice. I realise the risks and do what I can to reduce them. I have taken a riding and road safety test, my horse is insured for 3rd party, I wear florescent clothing to be seen and pull over when I can safely to allow others past.
Do you slow down for horses Trevor? (Apologies if I missed that earlier) if you do, then thank you, regardless of your personal beliefs, you are still putting safety above all other considerations, and I for one, am grateful for that.

pollythrdoll what are you talking about cyclists aren't insured? Many cyclists are insured and club cyclists have to be insured to ride together

Polly who mentioned anything about uninsured drivers? Of course they shouldn't be on the road. Your beginning to sound hysterical.

I didn't mention uninsured drivers and stood corrected when pointed out to me many cyclists are insured. My point was you accept cyclists and not horses, which I do not understand. Then it was pointed out to me about pedestrians. Fair comment too, thus my comment to that.

Can you not take fair comment Trevor, or are you getting hysterical?

pollythrdoll what are you talking about cyclists aren't insured? Many cyclists are insured and club cyclists have to be insured to ride together

Yes I know now, been corrected on that

Good good

Now as long as noone else comes along claiming they pay a fucking obsolete road tax that was abolished in the 1930 we will be alright.

Of course I slow down, the last thing I'd want to do is cause an accident. As for children & teenagers etc, they can be unpredictable but in general they're more likely to stay on the pavement. As a rule they don't amble down the road like a horse. I realise sometimes it's not possible to avoid the roads but it's not ideal. Why people are up in arms over my opinion I honestly don't know? I think it's good people are responsible enough to get insurance and wear safety gear. The safety of the rider and horse is paramount of course, doesn't alter my opinion though.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=y0kAIkzX7XI

Just for you Trevor

Tbh I find more pedestrians stray into the road without looking than horses, but i live in a town so i expect horses probably do this in the countryside whilst texting and snapchatting

Polly?. * Do you think it would be okay for an insured road user to mow us down?

Of course not!*

I had to deal a few years ago with my seriously injured friend with a broken back in 3 places and have her horse put to sleep as it had horrific injuries.

Hit by a car, speeding in a 30mph limit.

Nation of animal lovers we claim to be but happily to mow down horses from safety of our tin boxes or tin on 2 wheels.

Polly, love it.

I don't ride but I know the fucking rules. Here's one, from the UK Highway Code:

Rule 215
Horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles. Be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles especially when overtaking. Always pass wide and slowly. Horse riders are often children, so take extra care and remember riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider. Look out for horse riders’ and horse drivers’ signals and heed a request to slow down or stop. Take great care and treat all horses as a potential hazard.

This is a rule. From the government. ThreeLeggedHaggis and the other haters, you don't have a choice: riders have the right to be on the road, and you must respect that.

...I once when out hacking has a cyclist have a go at me , claiming I shouldn't be on the road, taking up space blah blah blah.

I responded by saying I knew now what he looked like, what his bike looked like, where he rode his bike and after getting of my horse I was going to get into my 4x4 and I would treat him the same way on his bike he had just treated me - and he should be worried.