Slowing down when driving past a horse.

[CaulkheadUpNorth]

I wondered today how early you need to start slowing down when driving past a horse, and how far after you can return to normal speed.

I live in the middle of a city and its very rare for me to pass a horse, however I did today, and then worried I had slowed down for too long/not enough!

The rule of thumb is slow soon enough that you don't scare the rider (and horse) by suddenly being immediately behind them. Think of how soon you would break if you were turning a sharp left turn and there was a car at the junction waiting to turn right.

The key though is distance sideways - a horse was clocked on a GPS moving sideways in a spook from 2mph to 38mph in less than a second. Make sure you give at least another car's width in the passing, if possible. Think of it as if someone in a parked car would swing the door and hit you.

Most horseriders will (given enough time to do so) pull in to the nearest gap so you can pass easier. We don't want to risk our lives or that of our horses.

If there is a horse on the other side of the road that is really playing up and you are not sure what to do, your best bet is to stop and let them go past you.

As horseriders we absolutely hate going on the roads and inconveniencing other road users - unfortunately we cannot ride in fields. Most places wont even allow the horses out in the winter to protect the field, so they certainly don't let us ride in them. Bridle paths are few and far between and to get to them it does mean we have to ride on the roads a bit first.

CHUN - I thank you so much for asking this question. People should be taught how to pass livestock and horses, even if it is just to prevent an accident with a police horse on patrol.

Thanks so much for such a helpful reply! I grew up on the Isle of Wight, but still never passed a horse until after I had got my license. I now live in a city centre, so it's only when I go into countryside that it might even happen.

Thanks

Just wanted to say how nice for someone to ask if they aren't sure! :)

The amount of people that seem to have no clue what to do round a horse on a road or are just plain stupid really gets my goat!
Yay to you!!

Not long ago my horse decided to be a twat (not unusual at the moment ) and prance about all over the road - luckily it was a quiet one but the car that did meet us just squeezed past without slowing down much at all making him jump even more into the road.

Luckily we were fine but I do wonder if people realize how dangerous it is to all parties (not just the horse and rider!) if something awful happened. A horse only has to get a hoof through the windscreen and it could potentially mean no one would come out of it at all :(
The drivers are in as much danger as riders are imo!

I always err on the side of caution (and probably piss all the other drivers behind me off) but as the consequences for horse, rider and other drivers/road users would be pretty severe if the horse bolted it's not worth the risk IMO.

We need more like you! It's a tricky one really as each horse is different - with mine I have a certain amount of time before he starts being an idiot and if it's a really slow driver I'm willing them to get past before my time is up. However I'm always grateful for anyone who bothers to slow down and or move over and smile/wave wildly to make sure they see that!

It's a rare day not to drive passed a horse round here. I do all the above but also turn down my radio and only slowly increase my speed afterwards so there isn't a loud acceleration noise. This may be over the top though! Had a friend who lost a horse in a road accident and never forgotten it

Thanks everyone.

It was the waving from the rider that got me to be honest. I worried that she was waving to say "you can go faster now" or something. I'm 99% sure it was a thank you wave

It will have been a Thankyou wave (or a 'it's safe to pass'). She will have been insanely grateful you didn't try to kill her ;)

If the rider was waving it could mean that he/she could see round the corner/further ahead and was letting you know it was safe to pass. Thank you for slowing down

I think a lot of it comes from the rider as well. Two people I ride with always try to insist that a car stops or reverses or is put out of their way in order to ride past, even when said horses are behaving fine and very safe in traffic. I only ever make a car stop or pull in if there is not enough space to safely pass. The other day my friend deliberately rode I. The centre of the road to force a car onto the verge, when I was able to pass easily. I can't help but feel things like this are what give riders a bad name, and also annoy drivers so much. As a disclaimer, I am sure I have also caused my share of havoc on the roads with my horse but I do think there needs to be give and take where possible

I came on here to ask exactly the same question - around here I am guaranteed to see a horse on the road nearly every day. What about when you are driving towards a horse and rider coming in the other direction? I tend to slow down as I would if passing, but don't stop unless I can see the rider is having a bit of trouble.

I guess I'm generally extra cautious having seen the aftermath of an accident involving a horse and car as a child.

The other day my friend deliberately rode I. The centre of the road to force a car onto the verge

That is so rude!

The only place I tend to come across horses in on a road about 1.5 car widths wide. If I am overtaking them, I drive as far over as I can and as slowly as I can whilst still getting out of their way in a reasonable time - I also turn my music down if it's loud! If they are approaching me, I just slow down til we've passed each other. I think I've been doing it right as I seem to get the "hand up in thanks" rather than any other gesture :)

I would not drive onto a verge for an arse on a horse, I would simply stop.

I wish there were more drivers like you on the road, Caulk, I just don't ride out any more (but that's partly because DHorse is a but sharp).

Some fab advice here :)

And the waving might have been a nervous thing. I have thanked drivers in some funny ways, including smiles and nods (when I've had my hands a bit full). But I always try to raise my hand :)

I meet riders all the time around here, and they're always incredibly pleased that I've slowed down (and are very helpful at letting me know when it's clear to pass).

Other drivers can be a nightmare though, and I've seen the damage that can be done to a horse, rider, vehicle and it's occupants.

It's really important to keep your distance and realise that horses can be unpredictable.

WRT speeding back up again: do it gradually and once you can see the horse in your rear view mirror. Revving just as soon as you pass can set them off just as you thought you were all clear. The horses I ride are utterly traffic safe (hgvs, tractors, steam rollers, motor bikes, buses, combine harvesters). The only serious spook we've had was someone revving hard to pull away just as they passed us.

I don't wish to hijack but I only see horses on the road (unless police horses) when I go to a place I visit outside of London and I've always wondered why? As in, why are you driving your horse in the road? Are you going somewhere (and if so where are you going? I assumed from the stable to somewhere but where?) or since there are a good few of them there do you take them for exercise or whatever? I've always wanted to know but I don't really know anyone who rides horses!

To exercise them, especially if everywhere else is waterlogged. Because sometimes there's nowhere else to go. To get from one place to ride to another. If your stables lacks certain facilities you might ride somewhere else to use them, likes cross country course, arena, gallops. Sometimes to get to the farrier, the vet, a friend, a new home or a competition.

Thanks!