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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

715 replies

Famousperson2023 · 25/11/2023 05:44

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???

OP posts:
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sunglassesonthetable · 27/11/2023 06:58

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.

What if you see a deer in the road and have to slow down? Are you annoyed at the land owner for not being in control?

What about a flock of pheasants? Are you annoyed at the game keeper for not being in control and you have to slow?

What about a farmer moving cattle on the road, best not to run right up and spook them, but you're saying farmer is not 'confidently in control'.

From your pov I have no idea why any of this allowed.

BodgerSparkins · 27/11/2023 07:31

This thread reminds me of the day I, as a teen, was horribly lost and distressed on a country path. Was it my fault I was lost? Yes. I tried to flag down a passing runner to ask if he could look at the map with me, his absolutely incredulous response 'I'm running! ' and he kept going. Did he every right to? Yes, he did. Would it have been nice for him to stop a moment and help even though he didn't have to? Yes.

I know it's different circumstances before any awfully wise person wishes to point that out, but honestly, if running and timing yourself is it not acceptable to just deduct a few seconds from your time at the end? Especially with wearables this is easy to do, to see how long you slowed or stopped?

It is sad reading how people don't even want to accept a moment's inconvenience because they should not 'have to', though that's pretty evident in some of the driving I witness on the roads as a pedestrian most days.

Even police horses have to be gradually acclimatised to the modern world, which is busy and largely given over to the car rather than foot traffic (runners included). We are all, by our reliance on cars because public transport is so shoddy, squashed into ever decreasing spaces. A little patience under the less than ideal circumstances goes a long way.

A rider up thread pointed out that they adjust their behaviour on bridleways for walkers, runners, children, people with dogs. Other people just as entitled to be there. Slowing their pace, stopping to let people stroke their horse etc. We're all just trying to get along, or should be.

Hippyhippybake · 27/11/2023 08:11

Absolutely Bodger, it is this sort of complete arsehole behaviour which is making our society a worse place to live. It is so depressing to see so many on here unwilling to make a tiny adjustment to their own behaviour in order to obtain a better outcome for everyone. Fortunately IRL I continue to be cheered up by the kindness and generosity of strangers.

@sunglassesonthetable love the image of grumpy faced mumsnetters railing about these things, I'm sure it happens!

Passepartoute · 27/11/2023 08:31

Goldbar · 27/11/2023 00:37

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

Where do you get that from? The complaint seems to be about riders trying to make other road users safe.

Nomoremudplease68 · 27/11/2023 08:37

Goldbar · 27/11/2023 01:58

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.

Goldbar I’m afraid that your ignorance about horses is shining through in this post. They are prey animals with totally different temperaments to dogs. They have eyes on the side of their head and so have a vision blind spot behind them which means they can spook sometimes if they don’t see you approaching from the rear. This rider was trying to make things safer for you. Their intention was good.

Pamcakey · 27/11/2023 08:37

This is one of the most ridiculous arguments I’ve ever heard.

Running and riding are both leisure activities. The right to do either does not trump either.
Therefore common sense would suggest safety trumps.

Animals are unpredictable by nature. The best trained horse in the world can still spook when it hears a noise coming up behind it in its blind spot.
Walking past when a rider asks you to do so makes both parties safer.

I mean, I feel you probably wouldn’t be too impressed if you were running on a bridleway and I came galloping past? In the same vein, in that scenario, I would walk past. It may be annoying for me - I compete and my horses need to be fit and there’s limited places to do fast work with them, however, that doesn’t mean I have the right to endanger or frighten someone by thundering past them. It goes both ways.

Worldgonecrazy · 27/11/2023 08:39

Happy to stop and walk for horses and dogs when out running. It has a minimal effect on me, and makes life easier for dog and horse owners alike. Even the most bomb proof horse and non-chasing dog can react in an unpredictable manner.

Nomoremudplease68 · 27/11/2023 08:40

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 06:37

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

Its very simple:

  1. Take a shovel and bucket
  2. Scoop
  3. Carry to garden
  4. Put on compost heap
  5. Apply to roses 12 months later
  6. Appreciate blooms
Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 08:47

Exactly, all horse riders should be made to do this immediately. It’s disgusting how they are allowed to leave their filth all over the roads.

Conkered · 27/11/2023 08:56

@goldbar A horse and rider need 2m space and passing at less than 10mph to mitigate risk to all. That's indisputable. Ignorance is not a defence I'm afraid. Nor is "I had headphones in and was distracted by checking my app for my run time."

Getting bored of posting it, but....

[Riders] should respect your safety, but you [pedestrian] should take care not to obstruct or endanger them. Always remain aware of your [pedestrian] environment and avoid unnecessary distractions.

Why do you think 2m and such a low speed is specified? What might happen when that space/speed is not adhered to?

How about horse people take responsibility for do their best to manage their side of the risk, and people on foot take some responsibility for being aware of the environment they are entering into and take appropriate precautions. Such as not to potentially startle half a tonne of horse that has very likely recently become startled by some other idiot's ignorance?

Otherwise you are quite literally giving the majority of horses a life of misery/death sentence since they are then unable to get the exercise they need and are confined to going round in circles for the rest of their lives.

We then may as well go the whole hog and tarmac over bridleways to avoid trip hazards (we're almost at that stage so that cyclists can use them, making them less suitable for horses) and ban all domesticated species/farm machinery from the countryside where there are footpaths and bridleways, incase there's an accident involving them?

What about making bridleways just for those with bridles and those okay with the risk/willing to respect them (like the majority of users) and footpaths just for people on foot who are not okay with it?

margotrose · 27/11/2023 09:01

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 08:47

Exactly, all horse riders should be made to do this immediately. It’s disgusting how they are allowed to leave their filth all over the roads.

Yeah, digested grass is just disgusting isn't it 😂

Malarandras · 27/11/2023 09:04

Here’s the thing folks - a horse is big, animal and can do you a serious damage. If you’re determined to take the risk of spooking it because ‘you have a right to be there’ well that’s up to you. But you’ll be the first to complain if you’re injured won’t you? I tend to go prioritise self-preservation over my ‘right’ to be anywhere. I guess everyone isn’t so sensible.

Homebaby · 27/11/2023 09:14

This thread is frightening. The amount of people who don't seem to think they should be looking out for others aswell as themselves is staggering. Is this a sign of the way that society is going?

Fizbosshoes · 27/11/2023 09:15

I was reminded of this thread yesterday as I was out running and came across 2 horses.i stopped to walk for maybe 30 seconds max. I was out for over an hour and a half so adding 15 seconds (assuming I walked half as slow as I ran) was neither here not there. And the horses had santa hats on which made me smile!

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 09:15

All over the road and stinking, yes. It’s no different to any other excrement. It’s disgusting, and horse riders who think it’s acceptable are just as disgusting.

Flickersy · 27/11/2023 09:17

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 09:15

All over the road and stinking, yes. It’s no different to any other excrement. It’s disgusting, and horse riders who think it’s acceptable are just as disgusting.

All over the road and stinking... You mean like all the car emissions, leaking fuel, and litter that humans leave behind?

Frankly I'd rather have the horse shit.

margotrose · 27/11/2023 09:20

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 09:15

All over the road and stinking, yes. It’s no different to any other excrement. It’s disgusting, and horse riders who think it’s acceptable are just as disgusting.

You can't argue with this kind of insane logic 😂

Do you think farmers should come and pick up after their livestock as well? Should drivers have to clean the road if their car leaks oil everywhere too?

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 09:23

And we pay for the privilege. This isnt about cars, don’t be childish and predictably boring, it’s about horses on roads/paths.

horseyhorsey17 · 27/11/2023 09:23

Run at a horse from behind and their instinct will be that you are a predator, and they may react accordingly.

It's not always possible to ride on private land. Horse riders have as much right to be on the roads and bridleways as you do.

Just be sensible around horses, it's seconds out of your time so don't be so bloody precious about it. Otherwise, if they kick you in the face, it's on you.

Flickersy · 27/11/2023 09:24

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 09:23

And we pay for the privilege. This isnt about cars, don’t be childish and predictably boring, it’s about horses on roads/paths.

Do you think horse riders don't pay tax?

As for don't be childish... You're the one stamping your feet and making "ewwww" faces about poo.

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 09:26

Anybody who creates mess in a public place should be responsible for it. It’s disgusting. If you think it’s acceptable to leave piles of shit in the road, then you are equally disgusting filth.
Why do dog owners get fined, yet this goes unpunished, despite being potentially hazardous as so slippery. It’s just vile.

NovemberAutumn · 27/11/2023 09:26

Homebaby · 27/11/2023 09:14

This thread is frightening. The amount of people who don't seem to think they should be looking out for others aswell as themselves is staggering. Is this a sign of the way that society is going?

I think so. I have the impression that since Covid the veneer of civility some people had was just ripped away. I think society generally has become harder, harsher and more selfish. Having a vulnerable disabled child during Covid times showed me time and time again that people are just nasty and selfish and often cruel in the name of ‘my rights trump everyone else’

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 09:27

Not at all, I’m saying people who leave huge piles of shit all over a public road are disgusting, it’s not the 3rd world. If you think differently, you are part of the problem. 🤮

NovemberAutumn · 27/11/2023 09:28

Snowflakeslayer · 27/11/2023 09:26

Anybody who creates mess in a public place should be responsible for it. It’s disgusting. If you think it’s acceptable to leave piles of shit in the road, then you are equally disgusting filth.
Why do dog owners get fined, yet this goes unpunished, despite being potentially hazardous as so slippery. It’s just vile.

And I don’t think calling anyone disgusting filth is in any way acceptable.

Elastica23 · 27/11/2023 09:32

YANBU.

I was jogging down the opposite side of a country lane wearing a running light which is like small bike lights you can wear on your body, and a horse rider told me off, firstly for not slowing down (I was doing a really slow jog anyway, walking pace for some people) and also for having headphones in and not listening to her- it's "dangerous" apparently.

The horse seemed absolutely fine, I was aware there was a horse and didn't think I was doing anything that could possibly upset one, and I was giving it plenty of space on the opposite side of the lane, and we were going in opposite directions, I wasn't running behind it.

I replied to say isn't it rather dangerous to be riding at dusk on a horse that is spooked by a small bike light, and what would she do if a car came down there?