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?

With my pony I feel better/safer. Her job is to be a ‘happy hacker’ and so she is generally not THAT spooky. We don’t have to use that many roads but do have to use the canal towpath which has lots for her to have a look at for sure. My horse I avoid hacking in public places where possible tbh, she naps like crazy, although in company is usually fine.
I do worry about some road users on the minimal roads we do use- they sometimes don’t bother to slow down even if they do give a wide berth. I do often worry though what if my horse/pony spooked at a random leaf floating over the road- they are flight animals after all and unfortunately can spook at things we ourselves find ridiculous. If she spooked and went into someone/a car that was passing safely that would be awful too. But just ride confidently and try to relax I guess.
I always treat cyclists/other riders with as much respect and patience as possible because I’d want the same for me. If I have to stop and turn the engine off for a horse having ‘a moment’ then I do, and put the hazards on. Might make me 5 minutes late but it’s better than the alternative!

Actually there's a very big difference - dog poo is toxic (as it contains digested meat) but horse poo is vegetarian and just grass, hay and plants.

Horse poo isn't harmful to people and in fact has lots of benefits to the earth and plants and fields. Dog poo is dangerous and can cause blindness (and death to livestock), which is why it needs to be picked up.

These animals are not safe on the roads - spook with a leaf - much too unpredictable.

Most horses don't spook uncontrollably at leaves - remember that these are the same animals that we have ridden into battle for thousands of years - animals that will charge through a battlefield of armed men and deafening artillery. These are the animals we have ridden as our primary mode of transport throughout history. They can be trained to have golden eagles land on their owner's arm mid gallop, to shoot bows and guns between their ears, to bear flags, lancers, pull carriages, walk into mines and to deal with crowds and situations that would terrify most humans.

We do horses a massive disservice when we focus on their unpredictability - horses are no more unpredictable than the average human behind the wheel of a car. Their thought processes and reactions are different to humans, but they're generally very predictable for a horse, and specifically for an individual horse.

Horses need space and manners from other road users because that keeps everyone safe - just as you shouldn't overtake a cyclist (or a walker in the road or any other traffic) too close because they too can be "unpredictable", or human in their responses.

Excellent answer.

Don't be silly.

Nobody in their right mind would ride a dangerous horse on the roads. Most horses are absolutely fine with all sorts - leaves, cars, trains, buses, loud noises, dogs, cats, cows - but they're not robots and are therefore unpredictable, which is why you need to give them a wide berth.

Just as you'd give a pedestrian or a cyclist a wide berth, or a learner driver.

They do not belong on the roads - they are unpredictable and dangerous and every time I read these posts it convinces me more how unsuitable they are. I continue to drive carefully around them - but I also continue to think they should not be on the road.

Hahahahohoho

They do not belong on the roads - they are unpredictable and dangerous and every time I read these posts it convinces me more how unsuitable they are. I continue to drive carefully around them - but I also continue to think they should not be on the road.

They have an absolute right to be on the road, unlike drivers, who are licenced to be on the road, as long as they drive in accordance with the conditions of their licences. If they are unwilling to do so, they should have their licences revoked.

No, I've never ridden a horse, yes, car driver and motorbike rider. I have no problem with horses being on the road.

Maybe you fail to understand I believe they should not be on the road - the legal status is irrelevant to my belief that they are not suitable on modern roads - you can keep shouting me down it won't change my belief that they are dangerous and unpredictable and should not be on the roads.

Cars are far more dangerous than horses. Maybe we should ban them instead 🙄

Hahahahohoho

Maybe you fail to understand I believe they should not be on the road.

No, I got that, it's just that I don't respect your belief!

And you are perfectly entitled to that belief, I'm entitled to mine! 😄

Entirely!

I get it - you need the last word every time!😂

No, I was just agreeing that we can have strongly opposing viewpoints, without being horrid. Please reply, so that I don't have the last word, as I'm now feeling embarrassed.

😄

@AGoodDayForSomebodyElseToDie stop talking bollocks do

I tend to stick to quiet back roads when cycling due to all the shit drivers. It’s unbelievable sometimes.
I was driving behind a car pulling a horse box earlier this year when we came up to a cyclist just before a blind bend. The horse box driver just pulled out to pass but there was an oncoming car so had to pull back in, then did the same thing on the next bend, then finally squeezed past on the third attempt. It really pissed me off! I bet they’d be raging if someone tried that when they were on their horse!

I could say the same about motorists.

I never cycle on roads, I tootle along on cycle paths and empty pavements.
Roads aren't wide enough and are full of bad drivers on their phones or speeding.

The last bastion of the failed argument, right there. Well done for conceding with such grace 😂

alright, tbh maybe a leaf wasn’t the best example I could’ve used there 😂😂 and like I said mine isn’t really spooky anyway, I wouldn’t back her out if she was because why would I want to risk injuring others/myself/ her?