horses on the road

[neil_g]

i know this may end up with some jokes or comments on how annoying they are but id like to pass this on after a girl my girlfriend knows died this morning.

"we'd like to remind ALL drivers that horses can be on the road any time of the day or night. "I didn't expect them to be there" is not an excuse for taking the lives of a person AND their horse. Be careful and be aware - you may not like ...horses, but that rider is somebodies mum, dad, daughter, son, brother, sister or partner and they often have no choice but to ride on the road.

A young woman and her horse lost their lives this morning to someone speeding on a blind bend a family member watched helpless DONT let this be your fault in the future! Most riders now take an exam to learn about riding horses on the roads do your bit as a driver!"

its struck a bit of a chord with me because the gf rides and i know shes had near misses. personally id not like this happening to her.

thanks for reading..

 

[Dangermouse]

oh god I dont know quite what to say, I dont speed any time and slow down for people riding horses and do the same for motorcyclists its a common sense thing

 

[lostsoulal2]

We have a set of traffic lights near us which has controls for horses on it -they were installed some 18 years ago and I have never seen a horse/rider use it, but I presume they must and I do unconsciously scan either side of the road when approaching.

We sometimes become complacent with the huge number of potential hazards on the road, but speeding on a blind bend is totally reckless.

Sorry to hear this terrible accident has occurred.

 

[Cobra]

Sorry to hear about this
Both the Mrs and daughter ride and yes sometimes there is no option but
to be on the road.

I am fully aware of the dangers of horses because of the above and
do what ever I can to avoid / help assist when meeting said animal.
BUT I have come across some goddamn awful riders who are so arrogant
that they think that
they are invulnerable, and act accordingly on the approach of a vehicle.
( I am not saying that your friend was in anyway like this BTW)
Its a two way street of give and take, thats all I am saying

 

[neil_g]

we've just heard the driver has been charged with death by dangerous driving..

tell you what i put this exact same info on some motoring website and theres been such a hostile response.

 

[2blue4u]

I've just seen the thread you started on another site. Some of those posters should be ashamed of themselves. But they're not because of ignorance. They seem to think that the only road users we should have are two and four wheel motorists.

I was in a rush (late again for an appointment) this afternoon driving fairly quickly along a narrow country lane with a sprinkling of 90 degree corners. Fortunately, I was 'thinking horse' as I rounded one corner only to be confronted with an elderly gentleman in a mobility scooter thingy. WTF!! I braked hard and we exchanged nothing more than that certain look. I saw him again on the way back some ten minutes later and he was positioned closer to the verge this time.

 

[russdaz]

I am fully aware of the dangers of horses because of the above and
do what ever I can to avoid / help assist when meeting said animal.
BUT I have come across some goddamn awful riders who are so arrogant
that they think that
they are invulnerable, and act accordingly on the approach of a vehicle.
( I am not saying that your friend was in anyway like this BTW)
Its a two way street of give and take, thats all I am saying

Fully agree, quite often come accross horses due to where i live the work i do. Some horses are just so easily spooked, some at just the sight of a hi-Vis jacket, even when your just standing still!

we've just heard the driver has been charged with death by dangerous driving..

tell you what i put this exact same info on some motoring website and theres been such a hostile response.

What do you expect, theres alot of ignorant drivers on the road, that think no=body other then themselfs should be on the road.

 

[ladysue]

Sorry to hear about the accident. It must be dreadful to lose a young son or daughter.I often meet people on horses round here. I love animals and always slow down and give them a wide berth. Mostly the riders put their hand up to thank me.I am probably an annoying slow woman driver on country roads but I get places just as fast often as the people who speed past.

 

[neil_g]

I've just seen the thread you started on another site. Some of those posters should be ashamed of themselves. But they're not because of ignorance. They seem to think that the only road users we should have are two and four wheel motorists.

thanks for your comments, i was shocked at the response to be honest. they seem to of completely missed the point..

thank you for your refreshing comments guys, its nice not to of had a "well horses shouldnt be on the road" thrown back at me..

nice to see its all a little more grown up here

 

[Davec223]

i know this may end up with some jokes or comments on how annoying they are but id like to pass this on after a girl my girlfriend knows died this morning.

"we'd like to remind ALL drivers that horses can be on the road any time of the day or night. "I didn't expect them to be there" is not an excuse for taking the lives of a person AND their horse. Be careful and be aware - you may not like ...horses, but that rider is somebodies mum, dad, daughter, son, brother, sister or partner and they often have no choice but to ride on the road.

A young woman and her horse lost their lives this morning to someone speeding on a blind bend a family member watched helpless DONT let this be your fault in the future! Most riders now take an exam to learn about riding horses on the roads do your bit as a driver!"

its struck a bit of a chord with me because the gf rides and i know shes had near misses. personally id not like this happening to her.

thanks for reading..

Sorry to hear this, I am guessing it was in the Forest. It is unfortuante but locals are sometimes worse than the holiay makers, they have the attitude of I drive this road everyday I know where ponies and or horse and rider will be then come accross riders or ponies in not the normal areas that they expect. I hope the book is thrown at the diver

 

[Marc]

This strikes a chord with me too as Mrs Fabs rides on the roads and it's always in the back of my mind when she goes out. I drive on country roads to get to work and it always amazes me how impatient drivers can be, especially when approaching bends. I also agree that it is a 2 way street and I would urge all riders to wear reflectives whilst out hacking, on the rider AND horse.

 

[neil_g]

Sorry to hear this, I am guessing it was in the Forest. It is unfortuante but locals are sometimes worse than the holiay makers, they have the attitude of I drive this road everyday I know where ponies and or horse and rider will be then come accross riders or ponies in not the normal areas that they expect. I hope the book is thrown at the diver

it was actually one of her horsey club friends from up country, i agree about "locals" down here being know it alls although i think its more so people that have moved into the area? the older generation (the ones still in charge of their marbles) are usually pretty good.

 

[Arkady]

Having ridden a horse (for two weeks - and very painful it was) I'm acutely aware of how bloomin' high up you are...I've always given at least as much space to horses, cyclists etc as I would a car when overtaking - slowly - and if it's not safe to do so, I wait...a good distance back...what's an extra 2 minutes drive-time FFS!

I did have cause to curse all equine forms of life on Saturday, though...drove the mustang through a giant pile of horse-poo sat on the road - can't have come from one animal - it must have fallen off the back of a farmer's trailer...the Audi I was 'driving too close to' in front of me almost missed it, but both our cars were well splattered...

Horse-poo takes a long time to clean off...did you know that? Dries like concrete...

 

[Kerioak]

I am sorry to hear about your girllfriend's friend.

We get a lot of horses on the roads and lanes locally - and horse and traps as there are a few people who use them instead of cars and with a lot of blind bends in the roads it is something drivers have to be very aware of during the day. It is worse at night when the deer jump out of hedges at you though

 

[nilagin]

I always give riders and their horse plenty of room, I hang back until the opposite side of the road is clear so I can make full use of the opposite side of the road and drive past gently with the barest of engine noise. If I see oncoming traffic after having overtaken, I give them a short burst of hazzard lights in the hope it gives them a bit of warning too.

 

[theMusicMan]

That's really sad, and I am sorry about your gf's friend. My wife was knocked off her horse and we had to have the poor thing put down on the roadside. It's a dreadful experience.

 

[newyorkaddict]

This is really sad.

But on the other hand, as mentioned by COBRA, some riders do think themselves indestructable. I live on exmoor, so have a good amount of contact with horses and riders. The main frustration that is caused around here, is the lack of use of bridal paths. In Exford, a local village, there are hundreds of bridal paths connecting all the local stables, but the riders prefer to use the roads as it is "Quicker". The issue they cause is when they are moving multiple horses to and from said stables, sometimes one rider will be moving upto 4 horses on their own. I find this irresponsible to themselves, the animals, and other road users. They are putting all concerned in danger, and they do so without any thought.
A lot of the local riders got on their platform not long ago about the use of Hi-Visibility vests, and how they wouldn't wear them because they looked SILLY I found this comment astounding, the idea if the Hi-Vis is to help the other people around you to see you, not for them to mock you.

As i have said, it is saddening to see anyone get hurt, and their animals to be injured, but people have to realise, we live in a fast paced world now, and people want to be somwhere now, not in an hour. It is sensible to get as much advanced warning as possible to the whereabouts of horses and riders, aswell as other non motorised vehicles, on the roads, but some people just wont have their minds changed, unfortunately

 

[Cobra]

That's really sad, and I am sorry about your gf's friend. My wife was knocked off her horse and we had to have the poor thing put down on the roadside. It's a dreadful experience.

Thats really sad John sorry to here it

In Exford, a local village, there are hundreds of bridal paths connecting all the local stables, but the riders prefer to use the roads as it is "Quicker". The issue they cause is when they are moving multiple horses to and from said stables, sometimes one rider will be moving upto 4 horses on their own.

Yep I know exactly what you mean We have holidayed in that area on more
that on occasion

 

[Lisa]

BUT I have come across some goddamn awful riders who are so arrogant
that they think that
they are invulnerable, and act accordingly on the approach of a vehicle.
( I am not saying that your friend was in anyway like this BTW)
Its a two way street of give and take, thats all I am saying

Thats the problem, you meet one or 2 of that type and think all horse riders are the same when we are not (not saying thats what your saying but from what others have said when ive spoken to people about this before!) Same as ones that ride side by side then dont move when cars are trying to pass or dont say thank you for the driver slowing down and passing wide :nono:

The riders like that always give the better riders a bad name.

I used to hack out alot on country lanes when i lived down south, most people i came across was very good (even though my girlie is a star ) but you do find the odd pratt.

Sorry to hear about your gf's friend.

 

[fracster]

I do slow down/stop for horses on country lanes up here, but I always ask myself why the heck they are on the road in the first place.......:shrug:

 

[Cobra]

Thats the problem, you meet one or 2 of that type and think all horse riders are the same when we are not (not saying thats what your saying but from what others have said when ive spoken to people about this before!) .

I have met a lot of riders through the Mrs
and yep a large percentage are "good"

But I still stand by the fact that I also spend a lot of time in the country
for one reason or another and I can assure you
that its more than just the "one or two" that are arrogant and think that they are indestructible
Its all most, well if you kill / injure me, then its your fault
:bang:

I do slow down/stop for horses on country lanes up here, but I always ask myself why the heck they are on the road in the first place.......:shrug:

I have never really understood that. On the odd occasion that I ride / have ridden
( how can anything stuffed with hay be so damned uncomfortable :shrug: )
I avoid the roads like the plague,


We have a network of "sand tracks" around here, foot paths for horses (exclusively) if you like
and yet you still see them on the roads,

 

[awp]

I live in the country and we have a lot of horses around. I'm amazed this sort of thing doesn't happen more often the way some idiots drive. Show them a country road and any thought of speed limits goes out the window. I get very annoyed with people who boast about speeding as if the law didn't apply to them. This is the sad result of thoughtless driving. Sad news.

 

[Lisa]

I do slow down/stop for horses on country lanes up here, but I always ask myself why the heck they are on the road in the first place.......:shrug:

Id prefer being in a sand school working my horse nicely over hacking anyday but sadly we dont all have acess to them, so its either hacking to one near or riding out on the roads. Alot of bridle paths also got closed off and they are only just starting to bring some back.

Id never take a horse out that wasnt safe on the raods, to me thats just plain stupid and dangerous, i used to know someone who had a horse that was scared of anything bigger than a trannie van and would totally freak, i refused to ride out with her.

But for another point, why shouldnt we be on the roads?

But I still stand by the fact that I also spend a lot of time in the country
for one reason or another and I can assure you
that its more than just the "one or two" that are arrogant and think that they are indestructible
Its all most, well if you kill / injure me, then its your fault

Ok maybe i should have said more than one or 2 most the ones we meet while out and about here are terrible.

It also gets to me when they ride out with a whip and stick it right out in hope the cars will go wider then wonder why/ moan if it does get hit and spooks the horse :bang:

 

[fracster]

Oh I agree Lisa,horses have a right to be on the road.I just think it makes more sense to use the bridlepaths,I guess we are lucky that we have lots up here,I suppose that changes in different areas.

 

[Cobra]

Ok maybe i should have said more than one or 2 most the ones we meet while out and about here are terrible.

It also gets to me when they ride out with a whip and stick it right out in hope the cars will go wider then wonder why/ moan if it does get hit and spooks the horse :bang:

I think we are in agreement

 

[Lisa]

Oh I agree Lisa,horses have a right to be on the road.I just think it makes more sense to use the bridlepaths,I guess we are lucky that we have lots up here,I suppose that changes in different areas.

I do think we need more bridle paths re-opened and i agree that if there is a bridle path it should be used and not the road more for your own/ your horses safety more than anything else

 

[fracster]

Hey Lisa,check this fine fella out..........

He belongs to one of the women who work on the estate, he is a lovely natured fella........

 

[Natalie_B]

really sorry for her family - a horrid thing to happen for all concerned
Hi Viz is a dicussion that we have on an equine forum I frequent and some people still refuse to wesr Hi Viz cause it doesnt match their horse / outfit / stlye, etc etc etc .... Makes me MAD MAD MAD :shake::thumbsdown:

 

[russdaz]

really sorry for her family - a horrid thing to happen for all concerned
Hi Viz is a dicussion that we have on an equine forum I frequent and some people still refuse to wesr Hi Viz cause it doesnt match their horse / outfit / stlye, etc etc etc .... Makes me MAD MAD MAD :shake::thumbsdown:

Do i take it you ride wearing a Hi-vis?

If so does it spook the horses?

Reason i ask i often have to work in the roads as aprt of a team to repair faults/damaged cables and the number of times horses get spooked is just about everytime, and some are just quite scary to watch. Oh we stop working while being past so its not as if the its the noise.

Just wondering as the hi-vis subject has been raised if any-one had any ideas why?

 

[Marc]

Do i take it you ride wearing a Hi-vis?

If so does it spook the horses?

Reason i ask i often have to work in the roads as aprt of a team to repair faults/damaged cables and the number of times horses get spooked is just about everytime, and some are just quite scary to watch. Oh we stop working while being past so its not as if the its the noise.

Just wondering as the hi-vis subject has been raised if any-one had any ideas why?

Quite often it's purely because you're not usually there. They can become quite comfortable when their surroundings are familiar, but when something unusual appears they can feel threatened.

 

[inaneredstripe]

I give horses a VERY wide berth. particularly in the lorry.
i have often pulled over and switched the engine off to let them pass.
oddly this morning , a riding school in notinghams ourtskirts were out ofr a tootle.
some inconsiderate tw@ nipped passed them, spooked the lead horse, and nearly ended up with it on his bonnet.must of scred the sh... out of the poor lass riding it.
she actualy managed to take control very quickly, but it could have been nasty.


i wear a hi viz to ride my motorbike.
and that tends to go where i want it too. and much quicker than a horse.

 

[tikkathreebarrel]

we've just heard the driver has been charged with death by dangerous driving..

tell you what i put this exact same info on some motoring website and theres been such a hostile response.

And presumably that'll bring the motorist - assuming they're found guilty - of a fine of about fifty quid and a three week driving ban. Not their fault, no remorse, I can see it now.

Of course we're all presuming that the driver was 100% guilty and the rider was 100% blame-free, which may or may not be the case. However there remains a lot to be said for the old rule-of-thumb that you drive to your braking distance.

 

[Lisa]

Hey Lisa,check this fine fella out..........

He belongs to one of the women who work on the estate, he is a lovely natured fella........

Aww so cute, that second pic is

Hi Viz is a dicussion that we have on an equine forum I frequent and some people still refuse to wesr Hi Viz cause it doesnt match their horse / outfit / stlye, etc etc etc .... Makes me MAD MAD MAD :shake::thumbsdown:

I agree, same as not wearing a hat cause it will ruin their hair

Do i take it you ride wearing a Hi-vis?

If so does it spook the horses?

Reason i ask i often have to work in the roads as aprt of a team to repair faults/damaged cables and the number of times horses get spooked is just about everytime, and some are just quite scary to watch. Oh we stop working while being past so its not as if the its the noise.

Just wondering as the hi-vis subject has been raised if any-one had any ideas why?

I wear hi-vis, never seen it scare a horse yet. They can spook at the most stupid little things and agree with what fabs has said.

 

[Pieface]

That's the problem with horses on the road, they are sharing the road with what they are usually scared off and can easily spook them. The thing that really grinds me is when you're driving on a road and either the rider tries to hit the whip against your car (Even though I was on the other side of the road) as I was too close according to her. And the other thing that really annoys me, and is pure stupidity is when instead of a single file line they are riding next to each other on the road just so they can speak to each other.

 

[Marc]

That's the problem with horses on the road, they are sharing the road with what they are usually scared off and can easily spook them. The thing that really grinds me is when you're driving on a road and either the rider tries to hit the whip against your car (Even though I was on the other side of the road) as I was too close according to her. And the other thing that really annoys me, and is pure stupidity is when instead of a single file line they are riding next to each other on the road just so they can speak to each other.

Actually the cars probably scare them the least. Quite often riders will ride alongside eachotherbecause either the horse or rider (or both! ) are novices.

To address your other point, horse riders are just like any other road user. Some of them can be tools!

 

[Pieface]

Actually the cars probably scare them the least. Quite often riders will ride alongside eachotherbecause either the horse or rider (or both! ) are novices.

To address your other point, horse riders are just like any other road user. Some of them can be tools!

I'd hope Novices would have an instructor walking them in front, and not let them free on the roads without the right experience so that if a problem occur's there is peace of mind that someone is in control. We can't give a wide berth if there are horses going side by side.

 

[Marc]

I'd hope Novices would have an instructor walking them in front, and not let them free on the roads without the right experience so that if a problem occur's there is peace of mind that someone is in control. We can't give a wide berth if there are horses going side by side.

That was my point, they will have an experienced rider on their outside. You can still give two horses a wide berth, I have done it on many occasions.

 

[Pieface]

That was my point, they will have an experienced rider on their outside. You can still give two horses a wide berth, I have done it on many occasions.

Not that simple around here.

 

[Marc]

Not that simple around here.

Then common sense should prevail and they should not ride 2 abreast if there is no room to pass. As I said, some people an be tools.

 

[russdaz]

Quite often it's purely because you're not usually there. They can become quite comfortable when their surroundings are familiar, but when something unusual appears they can feel threatened.

I wear hi-vis, never seen it scare a horse yet. They can spook at the most stupid little things and agree with what fabs has said.

Thanks so theres not alot more we can do then.

As for riding 2 by 2 there isnt nothing wrong with it providing the following. (which also applies to cyclist)

Extract from the highway code.

53
Before riding off or turning, look behind you to make sure it is safe, then give a clear arm signal.

When riding on the road you should

keep to the left
keep both hands on the reins unless you are signalling
keep both feet in the stirrups
not carry another person
not carry anything which might affect your balance or get tangled up with the reins
keep a horse you are leading to your left
move in the direction of the traffic flow in a one-way street
never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends

Personal experiance i have never had to overtake a pair side by side as they have always moved over, but i suppose theres some muppets out there, but you get those driving vans lorries and cars too, id even go as far to say as a cyclist that theres a far higher percentage of muppets driving cars, then horse riders. I am not saying your a muppet Pieface.