To be FED UP of inconsiderate drivers towards horses

[SaltAndVinegarIsTheBest]

I know this thread has been done to death, but I just needed to rant sorry

I’m sick of drivers who just don’t give a shit about horses on the road. Most people are lovely and try their best to give space and drive slowly and it is so much appreciated unfortunately there’s a minority who don’t. I’ve had cars go right up to about a foot away from my horse. I’ve had cars speed past without slowing or giving any space. I’ve been shouted at and called every name under the sun for daring to be out on the road with my horse. I think most riders have experienced similar and try to avoid hacking where possible.

Why can’t people appreciate the dangers involved in horse riding and that if you spook the horse it could have disastrous consequences? My horse is 16.3 and if he rears and I end up crushed, I’d be lucky to even survive.

I’ve been there. I’ve been stuck behind a tractor or cyclist whilst late to work. I know how frustrating it is! But ultimately if a 5 minute delay was enough to make me late, then the problem lies with my timekeeping more than anything else.

And before anyone says anything, horses have every right to be on the road. I avoid it where possible as the risks are too great, but sometimes it is necessary and at the end of the day it is allowed. Blaming horse riders is victim blaming as we should be able to safely hack out without fearing ending up in hospital.

Thanks to everyone who is considerate around horses on the road. To those who aren’t, remember that horse riders want to get themselves and their horse home safely- don’t be the reason that doesn’t happen.

Sorry if I’m being a thick city girl. But how do you expect the general public to know that horses spook?
Fair enough to not be impatient, ride into a horse’s arse or not give space. But ‘spook’? Really? People would just assume that anything ridden on the road will have been trained. Just like guide dogs are trained to not be distracted any any old thing.

I don’t think people should be twats. But equally horse riding is dangerous (that’s how Christopher Reeve got paralysed), and such uncontrollable animals really should be limited to certain roads.

I love horses, but I have never been a rider or involved in anything equestrian. I like to see them on the road, the vast majority of riders and cars round here are respectful.

There are exceptions on both sides. Just before Christmas I was driving along a wide country lane, doing 30mph at dusk. Speed limit is 60mph but that is too fast so I was driving steadily. All the cars had lights on. Came round a corner and was so surprised to see two dark brown horses being ridden, each rider dressed fully in dark clothing and hates and you could hardly tell they were there. They disappeared in an illusion against the hedge which looked black due it being dusk.
The moment they saw me, (and I slowed immediately to a crawl), they started flicking the V’s at me! WTF?! I slowed in plenty of time to a crawl, had already turned off my radio to cut any noise and I was well away from them and passed them wide and slow, yet they had no high visibility clothing on themselves or the horses. I really think there should be rules about making sure horses can be seen if riding on the roads after sunset. Perhaps they had had drives swearing at them and were getting in first. Odd behaviour.

What is horse riding if not a hobby?!?

• DRIVE, not ride. Ofc

@waitinginthecar

What is horse riding if not a hobby?!?

A job?

Physio and rehabilitation?

Therapy?

Check out Riding for the Disabled, it's an absolutely phenomenal little charity.

@KloppsTeeth

I love horses, but I have never been a rider or involved in anything equestrian. I like to see them on the road, the vast majority of riders and cars round here are respectful.

There are exceptions on both sides. Just before Christmas I was driving along a wide country lane, doing 30mph at dusk. Speed limit is 60mph but that is too fast so I was driving steadily. All the cars had lights on. Came round a corner and was so surprised to see two dark brown horses being ridden, each rider dressed fully in dark clothing and hates and you could hardly tell they were there. They disappeared in an illusion against the hedge which looked black due it being dusk.
The moment they saw me, (and I slowed immediately to a crawl), they started flicking the V’s at me! WTF?! I slowed in plenty of time to a crawl, had already turned off my radio to cut any noise and I was well away from them and passed them wide and slow, yet they had no high visibility clothing on themselves or the horses. I really think there should be rules about making sure horses can be seen if riding on the roads after sunset. Perhaps they had had drives swearing at them and were getting in first. Odd behaviour.

Very odd, considering that they were so difficult to see and yet you could tell what hand gestures they were making.

@sanbeiji

Sorry if I’m being a thick city girl. But how do you expect the general public to know that horses spook? Fair enough to not be impatient, ride into a horse’s arse or not give space. But ‘spook’? Really? People would just assume that anything ridden on the road will have been trained. Just like guide dogs are trained to not be distracted any any old thing.

I don’t think people should be twats. But equally horse riding is dangerous (that’s how Christopher Reeve got paralysed), and such uncontrollable animals really should be limited to certain roads.

Any driver should know this - it's part of your training.

Out of interest, has anyone any experience of how horses respond to electric cars? I'm thinking of getting one and there are often horses and ponies on the road near me. Are they more likely to be spooked by the quiet whine, or does the quiet bother them less?

@Lockheart
Not that odd once she slowed to a crawl.

If your horse is that sensitive, it's not safe for it to be on the road, and is unfair on everyone. There is no reason for them to be on the road, especially if they don't enjoy it!

@waitinginthecar

What is horse riding if not a hobby?!?

People are allowed to use the roads for hobbies. There are motorists for whom driving is a hobby of one sort or another. Cyclists and bikers - stereotyped middle aged men in Lycra or leather. Walkers, on the many country lanes with no pavements. All perfectly legitimate.

@KloppsTeeth

I love horses, but I have never been a rider or involved in anything equestrian. I like to see them on the road, the vast majority of riders and cars round here are respectful.

There are exceptions on both sides. Just before Christmas I was driving along a wide country lane, doing 30mph at dusk. Speed limit is 60mph but that is too fast so I was driving steadily. All the cars had lights on. Came round a corner and was so surprised to see two dark brown horses being ridden, each rider dressed fully in dark clothing and hates and you could hardly tell they were there. They disappeared in an illusion against the hedge which looked black due it being dusk.
The moment they saw me, (and I slowed immediately to a crawl), they started flicking the V’s at me! WTF?! I slowed in plenty of time to a crawl, had already turned off my radio to cut any noise and I was well away from them and passed them wide and slow, yet they had no high visibility clothing on themselves or the horses. I really think there should be rules about making sure horses can be seen if riding on the roads after sunset. Perhaps they had had drives swearing at them and were getting in first. Odd behaviour.

Honestly, those riders sound awful!

Fair enough it’s not always possible to let go of the reins to wave a thanks. But at the very least, a smile or nod to say thanks to someone for slowing down and passing wide is just basic politeness.

I completely agree that high vis clothing should be mandatory too. Drivers driving without lights at night/darkness can be charged and riders should be the same. Same with cyclists- lights and/or reflective clothing should be mandatory.

I always ride head to toe in high vis, even when it’s still light outside as some roads are darker and overcast.

Also I have very protective (non rider) parents who would probably have a heart attack and ground me (I’m in my 20s) for going out without my high vis clothing!!

@ErrolTheDragon I don’t see that it’s the same thing really. I understand that sheep and cattle are moved via the road at times but would anyone just walk one around for the fun of it or to exercise them? Where I live we often have to sit and wait while the farmer lets his cows cross for milking time but that feels ok. More controlled somehow or maybe it’s because you tend to just stop and wait rather just than slow down to drive past. Escaped livestock like someone else has mentioned is obviously not supposed to be there.

With horses though - it’s not a those bloody horse riders type thing for me - it’s just a worry. Horse riders seem a bit vulnerable up there quite high and surely no matter how well you know your horse something could set them off and there could still be an accident even involving a slowly passing car. Can just picture them crashing through the windscreen. But then cars cause accidents with each other all the time maybe it’s no different, I don’t know.

I always pass horses wide and slow but would I rather know I’d never encounter one on the road ever again? Probably yes …

@Lockheart ah ok I’ve just spotted it on the Highway Code.
I’ve never seen it in a test or otherwise, and it’s never been mentioned. Maybe it should be emphasised more. The majority of other things In it are

@HaloKitties

If your horse is that sensitive, it's not safe for it to be on the road, and is unfair on everyone. There is no reason for them to be on the road, especially if they don't enjoy it!

Not having a go but maybe read the previous posts. Some horses ONLY enjoy hacking. And it’s already been mentioned why horses may be on the road so to say there’s no reason for them to be on the road is just ignorant, sorry.

My horse isn’t sensitive to careful considerate drivers thanks, and we both enjoy hacking. We just don’t appreciate being tailgated or zoomed past. And we don’t appreciate people shouting stuff from cars or throwing litter. Or deliberately speeding up and not passing wide. That’s what this thread is about.

[quote sanbeiji]@Lockheart ah ok I’ve just spotted it on the Highway Code.
I’ve never seen it in a test or otherwise, and it’s never been mentioned. Maybe it should be emphasised more. The majority of other things In it are[/quote]
It is a question that can come up in the theory test.

Regardless of whether you're driving in the city or the country, you will encounter horses at some point. I am in central London, less than 200 yards from a police horse stables. City drivers need to know how to behave around horses too and your driving instructor should mention it, even if you never happen across a horse while out on a lesson.

[quote Lovinglavidaloca]@ErrolTheDragon I don’t see that it’s the same thing really. I understand that sheep and cattle are moved via the road at times but would anyone just walk one around for the fun of it or to exercise them? Where I live we often have to sit and wait while the farmer lets his cows cross for milking time but that feels ok. More controlled somehow or maybe it’s because you tend to just stop and wait rather just than slow down to drive past. Escaped livestock like someone else has mentioned is obviously not supposed to be there.

With horses though - it’s not a those bloody horse riders type thing for me - it’s just a worry. Horse riders seem a bit vulnerable up there quite high and surely no matter how well you know your horse something could set them off and there could still be an accident even involving a slowly passing car. Can just picture them crashing through the windscreen. But then cars cause accidents with each other all the time maybe it’s no different, I don’t know.

I always pass horses wide and slow but would I rather know I’d never encounter one on the road ever again? Probably yes …[/quote]
OMG this exactly.
Maybe because I’ve had too much experience with bolting horses etc.
But they’ve thrown people off for no reason, in front of obstacle courses, which they’re familiar with. I don’t know what else might scare them.

Also while I might pass a horse safely Incant control what twats behind me do. Whether they sound the horn, or whatever. Yes In an ideal world everyone would be patient but I don’t want a horse crashing through my windscreen because of people behind me. At the same time… is not passing holding up traffic? Really idk

@waitinginthecar

What is horse riding if not a hobby?!?

Wow, I’ll give the benefit of the doubt that you didn’t mean your post to sound so ignorant. Maybe have a read about how many people have careers involving horses and riding.

You really think the average person drinks a £10 bottle of wine a night and that is all they’d have to forgo to sort out riding lessons etc?

Never change mumsnet

such uncontrollable animals really should be limited to certain roads

You're not wrong. Indeed, they already are - you can't take horses (or bicycles or horse drawn carriages or walk on) motorways and some dual carriageways for obvious reasons.

Other roads though are fair game. Horse riders are no more hobbyists than cyclists, walkers or car drivers on their way to the gym / beach / popular dogging sites. People who don't like it have no choice but to accept that, or risk half a tonne of hoof, steel and bone coming through their windscreen.

[quote Lovinglavidaloca]@ErrolTheDragon I don’t see that it’s the same thing really. I understand that sheep and cattle are moved via the road at times but would anyone just walk one around for the fun of it or to exercise them? Where I live we often have to sit and wait while the farmer lets his cows cross for milking time but that feels ok. More controlled somehow or maybe it’s because you tend to just stop and wait rather just than slow down to drive past. Escaped livestock like someone else has mentioned is obviously not supposed to be there.

With horses though - it’s not a those bloody horse riders type thing for me - it’s just a worry. Horse riders seem a bit vulnerable up there quite high and surely no matter how well you know your horse something could set them off and there could still be an accident even involving a slowly passing car. Can just picture them crashing through the windscreen. But then cars cause accidents with each other all the time maybe it’s no different, I don’t know.

I always pass horses wide and slow but would I rather know I’d never encounter one on the road ever again? Probably yes …[/quote]
I totally understand your concern! That’s where riders should also be considerate and pull into the side to allow drivers to pass where possible. I would also only ever take my horse out hacking if absolutely sure we would be as safe as possible. A slightly, easily spooked horse should be gradually trained before even going near a road. Even if you have a well trained horse and a considerate driver, there’s always that small risk of a spook or accident because unfortunately that risk can’t be taken away 100%. But the way I see it is there’s always a small risk of a traffic accident every time we go on the road whether it is by car, horse, bus or train. It’s just a case of being as sensible and careful to minimise this risk as much as possible.

Honestly when you pass wide and slow it’s so greatly appreciated so thank you very much!

[quote sanbeiji]@Lockheart ah ok I’ve just spotted it on the Highway Code.
I’ve never seen it in a test or otherwise, and it’s never been mentioned. Maybe it should be emphasised more. The majority of other things In it are[/quote]
It's worth reviewing the recent changes to the Highway Code

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1037306/table-of-change-to-the-highway-code.pdf

@user1471504747

You really think the average person drinks a £10 bottle of wine a night and that is all they’d have to forgo to sort out riding lessons etc?

Never change mumsnet

That comment from a previous poster was in response to someone else above claiming all horse riders to be middle class- a stereotype which is both silly and offensive to the people who work extremely hard to pay for their horses.

@TheLeadbetterLife

Out of interest, has anyone any experience of how horses respond to electric cars? I'm thinking of getting one and there are often horses and ponies on the road near me. Are they more likely to be spooked by the quiet whine, or does the quiet bother them less?

Loads of electric cars around here, horses don't give a toss, but I'm incapable of having one pass me without commenting that it's so damn quiet

I always make sure to pass horses slow and wide and people shouldn't be deliberately spooking your horse however I have to a agree that they shouldn't be on the road.

If your horse is going to be an unpredictable hazard walking along a road where people are driving the speed limit then quite frankly it shouldn't be there.