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???

"if the child is running behind I’ll let the parent know it’s not safe and usually the parent will then hold child’s hand"

You say you agree that running children aren't the problem but then immediately acknowledge that this behaviour is not safe around horses and that you tell parents that so they can be stopped. Just like in the OP the rider asked the runner to walk.

Wouldn't life be better if everyone were more concerned with keeping everybody safe than with what they are entitled to?

Horses (and dogs) exist and if you use public rights of way you are going to encounter them. Part of being a responsible adult is knowing how to behave safely around them, just like you need to know how to behave safely around vehicles on the road. Children need to be taught. Animals are by nature unpredictable and it is best to behave in ways that are not going to provoke a reaction. Even the best trained animals can get spooked sometimes.

You think horses should be fitted with, and trained to check, wing mirrors? Wtf?

The common sense approach for 100s of years has been to make the horse/rider aware that you are approaching.

You can't rely on others always accommodating you to prevent your animal posing a risk to them or to you. There may be many reasons why people don't behave exactly as you ask them to.

Lol did you even read the OP’s post! She is a rider so she understands safety around horses. She stops for horses at narrow points and at other points goes wide and low.

So her running is not more important than the horse BECAUSE SHE IS NOT ASKING THE HORSE RIDER TO STOP.

And if you read the read the thread, you will see that the ones riding in a state of fury and entitlement and expecting people to modify their behaviour are horse riders.

I don’t have a vendetta, I live in a built up area, love horses but don’t live near bridlepaths or anything so have no skin in this game.

I'm sure your PB won't suffer too much OP

Having seen the result of someone kicked in the face by a horse, I’d just slow down.

If you want to run without being interrupted, go to a track.

If you run on pavements, bridleways, paths etc you will have to stop or slow down for others.

OP, how would you feel if someone ran at your daughter's horse with her onboard and her horse flew off down the road?

Just walk for a few minutes and don't be a dick.

Runners shouldn't be out in public if they're so precious about their times. They should stick to private land

Exactly. Utter stupidity on here sometimes.

Runners aren’t asking the horse riders to stop. The horse rider should stop.

YABU because you know a little doesn’t make you an expert

Exactly this.

There are times when you’re going to have to slow down or stop.

You’re acting just as entitled, if not more than they are.

If I’m running or riding a bike I’ll stop and let them past or go very slow.
I don’t know what I am meant to do but I do what I can not to spook the horses.

@Iscreamtea i don’t know if you actually bothered to read my post? I have acknowledged how to act safely around children/the public, hence me saying in some circumstances I’ve actually got off the horse to ensure this is happening.

yes if a child looked like it was going to approach the rear of the horse I would certainly let the parent know and apologise, every parent I have encountered has always held there child’s hand and thanked me for letting them know. I’ve always said thank you back.

dont quite understand why that’s hard for you to grasp🤷‍♀️ I have accepted the fact I am the risk on the road personally, the child is not the risk at all, I’ve also said how yes it isn’t safe for anyone to go near the rear of a horse and with my horse I would always let anyone know that in a kind way because not everyone is clued on with this information, some people before that walk may have never been around a horse before, especially children.

Horses are already fitted with wing mirrors they’re called eyes. This is why their eyes are on the side of their heads. It allows them to spot danger (like someone moving fast, which they will classify as a predator) from behind and run.

I’m sure a lot of horses would be spooked by a runner, they have many blind spots so when something appears suddenly in their vision it can spook them.

I accidentally spooked a horse a few weeks ago, I wasn’t moving very quickly but was hidden and then appeared (I didn’t see the horse or I wouldn’t have done it), horse spooked and almost chucked the rider off. I apologised to the rider. I wouldn’t want to do anything that might spook a horse, they are large animals and could cause injury to the rider, me or themselves if spooked.

I can see both sides (as a rider and owner). The problem is not every runner is as considerate as you @Famousperson2023 and there are some who will get right up the back side of a horse without letting riders know they are there. And I have had some.jaw dropping issues with a local running group out for a run (not a race) in the past where they crowd round the horse in hi-vis vests. Most horses are good but most leisure horses are not police horses!

We all have to share the road and I would take it as a compliment they are letting you know in advance that there maybe an issue. It is up to you whether you continue to run past or not. But at least you have had fair warning.

It's not about being precious about times! It's that I shouldn't have to stop what I'm doing to accommodate a sodding horse.

It's not about being precious about times! It's that I shouldn't have to stop what I'm doing to accommodate a sodding horse

Oh, boo fucking hoo.

Here’s a picture - the link I’ve now removed didn’t work

Runners aren’t asking the horse riders to stop. The horse rider should stop.

A horse can still spook from standing @wesurecouldstandgladioli.

I assume this is for your safety as much as theirs especially if the path/road is really narrow and you are getting really close to the horse...

Do you fancy getting kicked or pushed by the horse because you are trying to make a point?

I really don't see the inconvenience of you slowing down for a few seconds.

It is not like you are meeting a horse every 5 minutes when you are out on a run is it?

As a rider you should know that even the most well behaved horse can have an off day...

Even my instructor has had her horse shy or spook at the silliest things when we are out on hacks. It happens to even the most experienced riders.

What about the human being on their back. Do you not generally act in a reasonable way to accommodate another persons safety? Do you wonder why you have to stop at zebra crossings to accommodate people getting in your way whilst driving

I ride, I have in the past also run, and I drive, and people who won't adjust their behaviour for a few seconds for the safety of all are arses really. I'm trying to be objective about this, so am comparing it to skiing. I ski well, confidently, safely, and when the coast is clear, pretty fast. If I see ahead of me a family with small children, or a ski school, or some novices, I'll slow down and navigate them with care because they are more likely to do something unpredictable, and we could all end up in a crash, and also, they are more likely to be distracted or alarmed by me zooming past them, even though very often I could do so safely. I can't imagine having a mindset where I just continue with my speedy skiing and to hell with the impact it has on others. We share the space, we are considerate of other users, we sometimes pause what we are doing the ensure everyone is as safe as we can be. I don't see how this is different really.