Horses on the road!

[JumpTheHedge]

So, I’m going out on a hack with my horse today. We haven’t been out hacking very often recently due to the weather, but today is absolutely beautiful so I’m going to take him out.

he absolutely LOVES hacking and isn’t phased by cars or any vehicles, ( no matter how dangerously they might be driving 🙄 ). He can be quite sharp in the arena and is happy to school but tolerates it, whereas he is a different horse altogether on hacks- he LOVES it so much and he completely lights up. He behaves impeccably, isn’t sharp, and he’s just so much happier in himself. I think he just likes to get out and about and explore! He’s been a really good boy recently and I want to take him out today so he gets a treat and a break from the arena.

there’s some nice bridle trails near us but they involve riding on the road first. I’ve hacked him lots of times and like I said, he’s brilliant, but I can’t help but feel nervous about it- because of car drivers mainly. It’s a quiet road but people are incapable of following the Highway Code around horses and it makes it so nervewracking. We will be head to toe in high vis and I’ll take every precaution, but I can’t help but feel so nervous about it because of other drivers. Most people are fine but all it takes is one idiot and it’s really off putting.

anyone have any advice on how to enjoy it and not be nervous? I trust my horse completely- more so on hacks than in the school! - but it’s other drivers that make it stressful. I want to go out and enjoy the sunshine on the trails and I know we’ll have great fun out there, it’s just a bit nervewracking.

I think with anything do to with riding you have to rationalise the fear in order to calm your nerves. Ask yourself:

Is my horse good in traffic? (Yes, from what you’ve said).
How many times have I been involved in an accident whilst riding on the roads? (I’m guessing zero?)
How many times have I ended up in hospital because of riding on the roads? (Zero again?)
How many times have I died because of riding on the roads? (Definitely zero)

So on that basis you have a pretty much 100% chance of it being fine. Go and enjoy your hack.

When I used to ride on roads I kept alert to what was happening all the time - made sure that I didn't hug the gutter so that cars had to pass properly rather than squeezing past, definitely no headphones, phones etc. Also made sure I always shouted Thankyou, big smiles and a wave of thanks if I was able to take a hand off the reins to anyone who slowed down or was inconvenienced by me - this seems to be lacking in todays younger riders. It helps if you can trot on along the busier stretches and if you've gathered a queue of cars, stop in a gateway and let them pass. The best advice I can offer is to keep alert and enjoy this beautiful day and your wonderful horse!

I think you have to remember that a really REALLY small percentage of drivers are twats, people are so much more tolerant with horses, than say cyclists. Most people see a horse and want to do what's best.

As you said, your horse is amazing in traffic, so he will look after you.

Another thing to work out is how much road work, compared to road work you will do, and if all else fails. You're doing it for your horses well being, so you need to be brave for his sake

Make note of the quieter times of day to hack out and try to avoid busy times and bad light.

Also, can you box out somewhere not to far to avoid the roads? it may be more pleasurable.

Hi vis, lots of it!

If it's a twisty lane don't hug the side because cars might not see you until really late (I had this recently as I always pass horses really slowly but this one was invisible until I was very close!).

I find commercial drivers often much better, they are aware they are driving bigger vehicles etc. If my pony doesn't stand like a rock when something passes, I'm ok with that as I think drivers need to know they are living unpredictable beings, so I tolerate bit of fidgeting. I find it better for the vehicle to stop and me come past it. For some reason my pony doesn't like tractors so might get off for that- it's irrational, he's not being naughty as fine with bin lorries, big vans etc. Thankfully I can still scramble back on in an undignified fashion at the next rock or tree stump!!

I have noticed riders wearing hi vis tabards which have something like "Polite"and then "notice, slow down" much smaller - to all intents and purposes it looks like a police one. Plus some the black and white checkered tape on their hats. I suspect that might make the twats slow up a bit. Don't know where you get it from.

I regularly drive narrow lanes where I meet horse riders. I go slowly and one or other of us stops to let the other pass. No problems.
But one thing that would be helpful for drivers if they are coming from behind, is for the rider to ackknowledge they know the car is there, a quick glance round, a wave perhaps. Then we know you know.

Ride defensively
Don't hug the pavement/hedge, make yourself visible
Use stop/slow down signs if you need to, and pull in to driveways/passing spots and be generous saying thanks!
Carrying a long schooling whip slightly stuck out with a bit of neon tape on the end also makes you more of an obstacle
High viz
Bright colours for yourself in case you do come off
Tag with phone number on the saddle

No direct horsey experience myself, but perhaps a tabard with a cctv logo and something about recording taking place? Best would be an actual small camera to wear as well, but even as a deterrent alone it might help. People generally less inclined to do stupid stuff if think are being recorded.

I second taking defensive measures.

Dont ride out at dusk or in very foggy weather

Gwt a rider eye camera & high viz tabard
www.ridereye.co.uk/collections/tabards-adult-child-and-in-french

Send footage to police of any vehicle failing to follow Highway Code (pass horses at 10 mph leaving 2 metre distance).

www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/other-road-users.html#:~:text=Horse%20riders%20and%20horse%2Ddrawn%20vehicles.&text=Always%20pass%20wide%20and%20slowly,least%202%20metres%20of%20space.

On another note - I am a cyclist and terrified of overtaking horses on the road. I never know what the right etiquette is. I always slow right down but am I meant to make noise, not make noise? Freewheel or pedal? I am so scared of horses and I find it very overwhelming.

Shouting hi is best, so they can see you're not a alien

Can you legally use a mobile phone while in charge of a horse?

Get a helmet camera. The difference in driver behaviour since I started wearing one is huge. People behave very differently when they know they are being recorded. Sad but true

Yes, totally agree.

My daughter has one and the behaviour of drivers is markedly different once they clock the camera and realise they are being recorded.

DD also wears a lot of hi-vis - she has the POLITE one and although she did get someone threatening to report her for impersonating a police officer, it does work.

Also agree about riding defensively and not hugging the kerb. If you’re further out, people have to slow down and overtake properly rather than squeezing past too close.

I have a tabard that shows the new highway code (max speed passing horses and distance away from them a car should pass). It seems to work well. I think a lot of drivers simply don't know how to pass a horse safely.