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???

Obviously some will never agree about the horse poo thing. They obviously have a right to their opinion but sadly for them the law is not on their side.

And for decent reasons.

But it's a free country take it up with your MPs. Speak to a mounted policeman next time you see one.

I don't have a horse.

I can, however, recognise that requiring horse riders to go about with a shovel and pick up after their horses is a ridiculous suggestion.

All road users are required to be aware of hazards on the road, be that horse shit, mud, deer or fallen trees.

You don't "suddenly" come across a static object in the road. You travel at a rate that allows you to stop in the distance you can see.

Wonder what the numbers are on people getting hurt because of horse poo?

You might have a point there @Snowflakeslayer

😉

Police horses in other countries do wear nappy type things to catch their poo.

I do think in London police horses should wear similar. In the countryside I can understand it makes little difference, but it’s not particularly pleasant in a city.

Oh the poo on the roads argument.

It boils down to this:

Getting off a horse, on a road, then holding the horse one handed whilst trying to scrape up shit and bag it or get it completely off the road, poses MORE danger to traffic and other road users than leaving it where it is.

In places with heavy horse traffic, either those responsible for it (say riding schools) will go out regularly without horses and clean up, or the road cleaners cover that area more often (certain areas of london where the mounted military ride out en masse frequently).

If we're not to do things that come with unpredictable or unmanageable risk, we shouldn't be driving cars or motorbikes either.

Tyre blow outs, mechanical failure, losing control due to hitting a patch of fuel or oil or ice or wet leaves invisible to the driver... All beyond the control of the driver, all very possible (I don't even drive and have experienced several of these things, some more than once, in my life).

I'm a rider, was out on a horse I know well. He's sound and rarely spooks. Runner came up behind startled him and he spooked. Wasn't fun for any of us. I know it's a pain but please be mindful that they are large animals with brains and they aren't always perfect. It's really helpful if you can walk until you're alongside then start running again.

I'm a rider, was out on a horse I know well. He's sound and rarely spooks. Runner came up behind startled him and he spooked. Wasn't fun for any of us. I know it's a pain but please be mindful that they are large animals with brains and they aren't always perfect. It's really helpful if you can walk until you're alongside then start running again.

How did something so simple get so complicated?

Are people really complaining about horse poo

10mph? I was going more like 5mph when I was "running"! And more than two metres away, on the opposite side of the road. And could be seen from miles away, I wasn't behind the horse.

Why is it a problem for people who don't own horses and have nothing to do with horses to be ignorant about horses?

Why shouldn't they be able to crack on with what they're doing, safe in the knowledge that owners/riders of horses have them under control without having constantly to bark instructions and commands at complete strangers passing by?

Why shouldn't they be able to crack on with what they're doing, safe in the knowledge that owners/riders of horses have them under control without having constantly to bark instructions and commands at complete strangers passing by?

Because we are not islands. We share our community and environment.

I was doing just that but still got told off by some imperious cowbag.

You don't want to share @Goldbar if it means it affects you in any way?

I was doing just that but still got told off by some imperious cowbag.

Sorry to hear that. She sounds rude. There's always some.

Goldbar it is not a problem for people to be ignorant about horses.

It IS a problem if people who are ignorant actively ignore a request made by the person who knows the horse which is being made for the safety of everyone involved.

It's not that hard to understand surely?

Why is it a problem for people who don't own horses and have nothing to do with horses to be ignorant about horses?

It's not a problem, but they should have the basic common sense to listen to the people who do know what they're talking about!

I was replying to another poster who was saying all horses should be banned from public spaces because there are risks attached due to them being animals. Plus there are many other previous posts I and many others have tirelessly typed out again and again, which provide detailed explanation as to why there might be a need for this, on the rare occasion. For your safety and others and at no fault of the rider if they have taken all reasonable precautions.

I notice @goldbar you haven't responded to the legal point that ignorance is no defence. The clue is often in the title "bridleway" so you can expect to find horses. Horse's who have certain accepted risks mitigated by guidance, to ensure safety in public spaces. It's a bit like a non-swimmer going to a public pond and saying it should be fenced off because they can't swim and they might fall in. Or a non-driver walking up the motorway saying how should they know it's dangerous.

People are batshit crazy on this thread.

What happened to the sense of community? Giving a shit about other people's welfare and not just your own.

Went hacking with a friend this weekend, her riding, me on foot. Her pony is as chill as they come, fine with other horses spooking, dogs running up to him, under him. This weekend he was having a bit of a day. We see a dog on the way back, off lead, lady has another on the lead. Friend asks if she could please get her dog. All polite and chill. We figure it's best as pony has clearly had personality change.

Lady lets other dog off the lead which heads for horse. I block it, and tell friend to go I will stop dogs if they come near. I point out to lady dog should be in a lead (in an area which has signs everywhere saying so) - she screams swearing at me that we should not be on the bloody footpath.

We were in a bridleway.

She was willing to risk the lives of her dogs to make a point.

Batshit.

I've got nothing against sharing.

Horse is walking down one side of the path.

I'm walking or running down the other side of the path.

We're both giving each other as much space as possible, as you do when you pass people.

All fine.

*We're both giving each other as much space as possible, as you do when you pass people.

All fine.*

Obviously you've made an a slip there. Because you KNOW a horse is NOT a person. There are different requirements when you pass.

Same as if you passed cattle, a herd of sheep, a person with a double buggy blocking your way, or a wheel chair in your path, or a lion, or elephants crossing perhaps 😉. Some probably unlikely scenarios, but you get the gist.

It seems like your rigid "sharing" only extends so far.

Putney Bridge Jogger anyone? Was willing to nearly kill someone so he didn’t have to break his stride! I think that is the mentality of some people on this thread.

Anyway I had an uneventful hack today after coming off my horse on Saturday - not caused by anyone jogging behind him but a herd of startled cattle thundering past the fence/hedge line (could hear them but not see them). Got a hat cam video but not sure how to upload on here.

Everyone we met was lovely, slowed for us, put their dogs on leads, removed camouflage gear when asked to show he was human😵‍💫(think it was a wildlife photographer - horses really unhappy about him hiding in the bushes!), thanked everyone and wished them a good day. Only one person was not happy when we asked if her dog was ok with horses before we went past them (she made no effort to put dog on lead and continued to throw a frizbee for it so we wanted to check before we put ourselves (and anybody else)in danger) got a really stroppy answer back🤷‍♀️ There’s always one, but most people we meet are kind, helpful and happy to see horses.

Sorry to hear you had a spill and sounds like you met a lot of considerate road users. We can all get along if we think about others’s safety. I might be slightly biased but I’ve met a lot more riders making efforts to ensure their horse poses no risk to others than dog owners who are prepared even to consider that surrounding children or adults might be hurt or scared by their pets.

Countingto10, yeah great anecdote- that happens all the time - joggers are forever pushing people into traffic aren't they?!