Horses/cyclists on the road

[sconeorscone]

Do you feel nervous on the roads too, or do you just get on with it and don’t feel anxious about it?

im really fortunate that in the area I’m in most people are fantastic at driving past my horse, as it’s quite a rural area and most people are used to waiting for horses, trackers, kids etc. I always pull in to the side, or trot to a passing place so they can get past. Unfortunately some people are so fucking selfish and speed past, or rev the engine deliberately, leave no space behind or to the side of me and don’t wait 2 seconds for me to pull into the side when I’m clearly indicating I will. I imagine cyclists have similar issues with some selfish drivers.

some of my friends are nervous going on the roads and others are not that bothered, I suppose it depends how many dickhead drivers you’ve come across and if you’ve had a bad experience but it made me realise I’m actually quite nervous about it although still do it because my horse loves it and it’s good for him. But if it were up to me we would never ride on the road because the few dickheads spoil it for everyone.

how do you feel about it?

And if you’re one of the arseholes that speeds past/tailgates/breaks the law around horses and bikes on the road, how do you sleep at night knowing you could have caused an accident?

I used to ride on the roads all of the time but in the past 10 years i feel it’s become stupidly dangerous and no longer do.

My lovely little horse almost got hit on the back of her legs as a just backed 4yo dressed head to toe in hi viz in the middle of the day. It was a quiet village lane not a motorway! It was terrifying and I felt terrible for putting her there in the first place.

Sadly you can’t change the way arseholes drive!

I don't ride a bike on public roads as it's far too dangerous.

My DD11 has recently started asking if she can hack her pony alone (around short, familiar routes) and although I was definitely doing that at her age and probably younger - I just can't bring myself to let her.

Even completely covered in hi-viz, I still prefer to walk alongside her out in the road to force cars to overtake if not slowly (as many dickheads don't, even for a child) but they do at least have to give plenty of room.

Ever since a total twat on a dirtbike came screaming past doing a wheelie when my daughter was about 5, and turned round and came back to shout and swear at me when I indicated with my arm for him to slow down - I just can't bear the thought of what could happen if I wasn't there (pony was a Saint, thank god!) 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

There are lots of dangerous activities in life from skiing to climbing, I will not stop doing something because of dangerous drivers

A horse died after a crash on the A19 the other day.

I feel nervous around houses on the road while driving as I know they can be unpredictable. So I give them a wide berth, go slowly etc.

Out of interest what is the typical speed you should overtake a horse at? I’m always wary about startling them. Genuine question.

The aggressive attitude towards cyclists by drivers means I do feel anxious cycling on the road and cycle very defensively as a result. I automatically assume drivers will pull out in front of me / cut me up / drive too close. Occasionally a considerate driver surprises me but not often. And yes I know not all cyclists are angels but we are in charge of a ton of fast moving metal...

I always rode on the roads as a teen, but kept mostly to quieter routes, only using busier roads to connect other routes. I also worked at a trekking centre so was used to riding escort etc. I think that has been good prep for cycling on roads, but again I will stick to quieter lanes, taking a dominant position, making myself as visible as possible, and dictating when passing is possible. It annoys drivers but it’s safer. When I was less confident I would stop often and let them past but if I’m pedalling hard and going a reasonable pace they can just wait.

I haven't ridden a horse for many years but I reckon I'd be uncomfortable riding one on the road.

I do ride a bike and people take unnecessary chances with me. I am glad there's no chance of my bike getting spooked.

I drive quite a few miles rurally as well and know how to drive around horses but see enough shocking passes by other road users, including cyclists passing horses badly, that I know I'd be unhappy

Highway Code says 10mph

We’re pretty lucky in that our yard is on a bridleway so we don’t have to ride on a road very often (other than to cross).

Very occasionally we do have to ride on the road and usually drivers are fine. You get the odd one who behaves like a knob, but 9 times out of 10 it’s fine. We have more issues with cyclists and dog walkers

Our horse community page is usually full of gripes about drivers so there are plenty of idiots about.

I do hack on local rural-ish (albeit ridiculously busy) roads but I have a pony who is extremely sensible and I always have hi-viz on. Luckily nearly all traffic is very respectful, especially the local farmers, and I rarely encounter twatish behaviour. The local cycle clubs who come out in large groups are also pretty respectful and nearly always shout when they are approaching (much appreciated so I know they're coming) and give us a wide berth.

I only hack because I know the local roads so well and know the bottlenecks and where the wide verges are, and have a very sensible pony. I'd not go out on anything not used to traffic!

Generally it's "low and slow," no revving, etc. Say it's a 30mph road, I drop down to 15mph and give them a wide berth. Just safer for everyone involved. USUALLY horses being ridden on the road are at least OK with vehicles passing them at a sensible speed.

I'm sure most drivers would be delighted if pesky horses and cyclists got off the road

I always slow down to a crawl and give a wide berth and a wave, however around here the horse rider looks at you like you're a piece of shit. They'd get better results from drivers if they didn't look so angry and miserable and maybe smile?

I used to cycle for fitness, but now at 70 am too afraid of aggressive motorists. If I come off and break a hip, that's my mobility shot for a long time and so many people lose so much fitness during recovery that they are old before their time. Now I walk everywhere, its easier to stay alive. Would these motorists drive aggressively at their grandmothers?

It’s awful really, on roads you have danger of cars/vehicles and off roads you have to worry about irresponsible dog owners. I feel a ton of sympathy for horse riders.

I'd avoid road wherever possible. Some people are awful. Can't understand it's an animal and not predictable

Some people are just so selfish. I've never ridden a horse and even without them being mentioned specifically in the Highway Code, it's common sense and courtesy to slow down and overtake carefully. Even if these knackers look at it through a lens of selfishness, a horse through their windscreens is a massive inconvenience.

I usually get a friendly wave from riders, so I must be doing something right.

I've seen drivers being aggressive with farmers moving livestock along roads, too. This also has a mention in the Highway Code. Too many people get in a car and adopt an attitude of: "I'm in a car, it's my right of way, so move!"

I also cycle defensively and assume twatty behaviour, I get out in the middle of the road where it would be dangerous to squeeze past etx

If someone is nice I make a big deal of smiling and waving thank you.

They’re probably concentrating and wondering if you’ll rev off fast (not saying you would!) Alternatively they might just be a twat, they exist in all groups!

Ideally when passing a horse, as wide and slow as you can. Even at a crawl it will take more than a minute or so.

As a cyclist it depends massively on the road. Many roads in my area have cycle lanes and I feel fine. On the other hand, there's another road I only ride on in daylight because it's fast and unlit and the cycle lane is awful. Another road has a cycle lane on the pavement alongside it, but it's so badly maintained that cyclists use the road instead.

If there's an alternative to the road I'll try and use it - unless I'm forced to cycle in snow or ice when the main roads are safer as the minor roads aren't salted.

Give up riding on roads completely after the horse I shared was killed & rider broke her back by a car driving straight into the back of him whilst riding the 500m from field to bridleway.

driver wasn’t prosecuted.

Personally I think horse riding is cruel. Owning an animal just so it can give you piggy backs.

OP can I ask why you choose to ride on roads rather than bridle paths?

There isn't always any choice! To get from the yard to the bridleway we have to go on the road. Also at this time of year not all bridleways are passable if they are boggy or icy.