To think I shouldn’t have to stop my run to walk past a horse?

[Famousperson2023]

This has happened twice now. Out for a run and the horse riders have asked me to stop running while I go past their horse!!

I’ll put this in context- daughter rides, I used to ride. When passing a horse or pony I’ll go wide and slow, or stop and wait at a passing place on narrow roads (often while the riders amble up at a slow walk deep in conversation with their fellow riders, 3 abreast….and without a hint of thank you). When I’m out with our dog I’ll make sure she is on the lead while we pass. but being asked to stop and walk???

Why shouldn't it be up to everyone sharing a space to have consideration for each other?

Just... why not?

People taking care around animals. People with animals taking care of pedestrians. I mean, that's really not too much, is it?

Horses are not dogs. If you run up behind a horse thousands of years of instinct will cause that horse to get spooked, just like I snuck up behind you and yelled in your ear. Or do you think you can be trained out of that response too?

Here's a thought.

Maybe the riders, who after all enjoy an elevated position, could yell out a little warning to runners/peds about maybe just slowing down as they pass.

Oh.

All I know is that it's very sad that "bridleways" are becoming increasingly unsafe for those with "bridles", due to the ignorance and unwillingness of those they are shared with to actually comprehend why they are called "bridleways" and what that might mean. After all, the chances of a "bombproof" horse behaving in a risky way I'd wager is due primarily to experiences caused by those ignorant of the highway code and the guidance put in place to keep everyone safe.

Perhaps a solution is for bridleways to not be shared anymore, to ensure the safety of those with bridles? After all, there is a plethora of paths, designed for people on foot only.

Goodness this thread has made me awfully sad.

Or you could be a decent human and walk for that 20 seconds......I presume your "times" aren't Olympic standard so what difference does it make to you.

It's a depressing thread.

Full of people who seem to think horses are machines with an off switch.

Or who are surprised that there are so many riders willing to put others in dangerous situations.

The riders aren't putting anyone in a dangerous situation, ffs. The runners are putting themselves in a dangerous situation by being selfish idiots with zero situational awareness or consideration.

You didn't answer my question about pedestrians crossing regardless of traffic.

And I think it's generally deemed acceptable risk if precautions are taken and guidance adhered to, hence insurance being available and support from up and down the country by more and more police forces in support of the "wide and slow" campaign. Accidents can happen anywhere 🤷‍♀️

I would be irresponsible not to put on my hazard lights if I knew my car had just conked out! A warning to slow down incase if danger is just that.

You didn't answer my question about pedestrians crossing regardless of traffic.

Because it's a silly question. Read my previous posts.

@CeciledeVolangesdeNouveau

You and me both.

On my next run I'm gonna find myself a horse somewhere and apologize to it in the name of all runners.

I have a schoolfriend who died after being kicked in the head by a horse so although it may seem a bit OTT being asked to walk, I would do so, just to be on the safe side

Given you talk as if pedestrians have zero responsibility around horses, and as if horses are machines, it's not silly at all.

For someone who claims to like horses, you really aren't showing it.

Sensible adults will naturally do their best to avoid the dangers which they perceive. So if a crazy person is waving a knife or a gun around, or there is an out-of-control dog, or a driver fails to stop at a pedestrian crossing, clearly you wouldn’t proceed in these circumstances. A sensible person would obviously avoid any unnecessary risks which they recognise. Including a skittish horse.

But that doesn’t mean the person with the knife/gun, the dog-owner or the driver who fails to stop isn’t at fault. Similarly, a rider who gets themselves into a position where they can’t confidently control their horse in a public place is at fault. And there may be people – children, people who are hard of hearing or with impaired sight, elderly people who might have slower reaction times, people deep in thought or with earphones in – who don’t perceive the risk, don’t perceive it in time, or don’t respond in the way that the rider would like them to, for whatever reason. It is the rider's duty to ensure that all of these people are safe from any danger created by their horse.

That’s why I said in my initial response that I’d do as the rider asked (slow down, stop, whatever) but I wouldn’t be happy about it. However, if they were apologetic, I’d probably accept with a good grace that we all make mistakes now and then.

You're still talking as if a rider can control even the most placid horse fully, in all circumstances, and shouldn't be allowed out if something happens to startle the horse. And all this bad grace unless they're apologetic when they do take the responsible measures - advising runners to slow down as they approach from behind - I mean, wtf? What's so precious about seconds of a runner's time? If you're (general you) in that much of a hurry and can't cope with slowing down for a moment, maybe you, the runner, are the one who shouldn't be out.

However, if they were apologetic, I’d probably accept with a good grace that we all make mistakes now and then.

Wow. I generally try not to be rude to people on Mumsnet, or when out riding, but are you aware how supercilious this makes you sound?

I’d like to know how you would react to someone actually being impolite as opposed to someone trying to make the situation safer for you and them.

I find it like a parallel universe too but from an opposite POV. I am not horsey, don't know many people who are. But I have enough awareness of animals and safety and common decency to know you approach horses slowly and give them plenty of room. How do people not know this? I can't imagine a world where someone has cause to run around country roads, fields and paths and doesn't know that you shouldn't spook a horse...because it will potentially harm the horse/rider/you/anything nearby that gets caught in its path especially if it runs onto a main road. You don't just run past and say fuck it, that's not my responsibility if the horse bolts. It's about caring for your community and everyone in it.

If we should generally assume that riders aren't in control of their horses, then I'm afraid I agree with the poster above that maybe horses shouldn't be allowed on public land for the protection of the general public. But I'm sure this isn't what you meant to say.

Tbh I'm not sure why horses should be treated so differently from children, dogs, cars etc. Parents who aren't in control of their children and let them pose a danger to others are rightly criticised, likewise dog owners. And drivers who can't control their cars are told that they shouldn't be on the road.

Please,please, please just walk past. A rider wouldn’t ask you to unless they feel their horse tense up or know their horse will react. It’s pretty scary feeling a horse tense up, not knowing what may happen next. Riders often don’t have anywhere else to ride. They don’t all have fancy yards, indoor/ outdoor schools with miles of off-road hacking. They just the want to get out in same way that cyclists, runners, bikers and walkers want to. Can’t we all just enjoy being outdoors and be kind and considerate to each other. Horses are flight animals and even the best behaved ones can have their unpredictable moments. And if you meet a rude rider that’s just them, the next one might be lovely but really need you to walk. That’s life; some folk are nice, some not so.. which one are you?

@Famousperson2023 Yabu. If you scare the horse you, the horse and/ or the rider might get injured or die. Is it worth the risk?

Those saying the onus is on the rider - that is EXACTLY why they are asking you to walk… to minimise risk….

Even the safest horse can be spooked. That might have happened on the ride before you met the horse but the horses adrenaline will still be high and therefore more likely to react. Only the rider knows what is going on with the horse. In the absence of being able to assess risk yourself, I would listen to what is being asked of you.

"A beggar on horseback lashes a beggar on foot"

In the middle of the road? How is that good for Roses? Seriously!

*Similarly, a rider who gets themselves into a position where they can’t confidently control their horse in a public place is at fault.
*
It's not ' a position' it's a standard precaution.

Accepting that there is always a risk ( horse could get spooked ) is NOT THE SAME as not being confidently in control.

People who are confidently in control, swimmers go into the sea all the time but are still aware of the element of risk ( weather could change )

I don't know why you keep talking about "fault". There is no fault knowing your horse has the potential to spook. Just as there is no fault knowing the sea could turn.