Shocked by this...
Discussion
I am always very mindful of horse riders on country roads and I always give them plenty of room and drive by slowly and I am always thanked by the rider......wish women drivers in their "Chelsea tractors" who I let out of side roads were just as polite.
Horse riders sometimes need to be on the road, I am sure it's not their preference but when needs must, so it is up to us motorists to treat them with respect and care. Anyone who says different is a brain dead moron.
Horse riders sometimes need to be on the road, I am sure it's not their preference but when needs must, so it is up to us motorists to treat them with respect and care. Anyone who says different is a brain dead moron.
It's an interesting debate, for sure. I had two 'near misses' last week, both along the same stretch of road. On both occasions it was hammering down with rain and very dark. The road in question has a 50mph limit, but due to the amount of access gateways and field entrances along there I never do more than 40mph. There is a riding stable nearby, so it is not uncommon to come upon a horse and rider in that area. My two encounters last week both involved dark coloured horses being ridden by ladies dresses completely in dark clothing. To make matters worse, both times the riders were against the backdrop of dark trees on my approach; add to this the driving rain and black sky, not great. I did of course see them in time but I do have to ask why it is not a legal obligation for a horse rider to wear a high-viz vest, or at least a sash? As motorists we have to use dipped headlights in poor visibility, as does a motorcyclist; yet horse riders and cyclists for that matter can dress from head to toe in dark clothing, it makes no sense. For the record, I have always slowed down for horses in 30+ years of driving and treat them (and riders) with the utmost respect, but please please think about being seen when you are out riding; a high-viz vest could be a life saver.
Edited by greatmalvern on Monday 21st October 11:28
It infuriates me when riders don't wear hi-viz - some people are just too snooty to wear it which I find ridiculous. On our yard, the rules are that you don't go out for a hack unless you have at least 1 bit of hi-viz on, either on you or your horse. We wear vests/coats and if it's a bit windy or raining, the horses wear hi-viz rain sheets also. I'd suggest it to them next time, let's hope you'll get a positive response... I live in hope ;-)
I do not for one moment condone the actions of a driver overtaking a car which has slowed for a horse and rider, but I don't understand why people take such risks riding horses on roads, when there are so many paths and bridleways.
A horse is ridden in accordance with its riders wishes. It does not really have a choice. Its also usually scared, so its reactions are to say the least unpredictable. It does not understand the Highway Code. It is at entirely the mercy of its rider or its own panic.
Stating the Highway Code gives the horse a right to be on the road is rather like saying that country lanes (like the one where Richard Clutterbuck's horse Linford met his demise, often have a 60mph speed limit. That does not mean it is safe to drive on these roads at a constant 60mph. Its about assessing risk and being sensible.
Elements of the equestrian society do have to take responsibility for the impatience of car drivers though. I live close by Lingfield on the A22 near the Mormon Temple. Near here, there is a riding centre, the riders from which often go out for a ride on what is apparently the busiest non-dual carriageway road in Sussex. I do not know why, but its is quite common to see lengthy queues behind these people because they choose to ride two abreast. I suggest the people who do this are either incredibly selfish or incredibly stupid. Or maybe both.
If it is the location of the riding centre which is to blame, perhaps the people running it should have a think about how selfish or stupid they may appear if an accident like this occurs which involves their riders/clients.
So you see, in the same ways a small minority of car drivers annoy horse riders, a small minority of horse riders annoy car drivers.
Now there is always the argument, or rather fact that the horse preceded the car by many centuries, but the field and the muddy path also preceded the metalled road in a similar way.
Where I live, I can walk for miles away from roads. Why is it necessary for people riding horses to ride on the road? There are lots of paths, even around Great Oxendon.
Finally, I don't have a dog, but I do understand that of your dog craps in the park, you should clear it up. This is a car forum, so I will assume you know what a Caterham is. When I drive my Caterham on a country lane, it sometimes occurs that I am on a road also used by horses. Horses who's owners do not take the same responsibility as dog owners. I have a right to drive may car on the road, but should I really be subjected to a face full of horse excrement because horse owners do not take the same responsibility as dog owners.
So you see, in this case horse riders annoy car drivers. I just accept it though, as risk of an unpleasant event.
A horse is ridden in accordance with its riders wishes. It does not really have a choice. Its also usually scared, so its reactions are to say the least unpredictable. It does not understand the Highway Code. It is at entirely the mercy of its rider or its own panic.
Stating the Highway Code gives the horse a right to be on the road is rather like saying that country lanes (like the one where Richard Clutterbuck's horse Linford met his demise, often have a 60mph speed limit. That does not mean it is safe to drive on these roads at a constant 60mph. Its about assessing risk and being sensible.
Elements of the equestrian society do have to take responsibility for the impatience of car drivers though. I live close by Lingfield on the A22 near the Mormon Temple. Near here, there is a riding centre, the riders from which often go out for a ride on what is apparently the busiest non-dual carriageway road in Sussex. I do not know why, but its is quite common to see lengthy queues behind these people because they choose to ride two abreast. I suggest the people who do this are either incredibly selfish or incredibly stupid. Or maybe both.
If it is the location of the riding centre which is to blame, perhaps the people running it should have a think about how selfish or stupid they may appear if an accident like this occurs which involves their riders/clients.
So you see, in the same ways a small minority of car drivers annoy horse riders, a small minority of horse riders annoy car drivers.
Now there is always the argument, or rather fact that the horse preceded the car by many centuries, but the field and the muddy path also preceded the metalled road in a similar way.
Where I live, I can walk for miles away from roads. Why is it necessary for people riding horses to ride on the road? There are lots of paths, even around Great Oxendon.
Finally, I don't have a dog, but I do understand that of your dog craps in the park, you should clear it up. This is a car forum, so I will assume you know what a Caterham is. When I drive my Caterham on a country lane, it sometimes occurs that I am on a road also used by horses. Horses who's owners do not take the same responsibility as dog owners. I have a right to drive may car on the road, but should I really be subjected to a face full of horse excrement because horse owners do not take the same responsibility as dog owners.
So you see, in this case horse riders annoy car drivers. I just accept it though, as risk of an unpleasant event.
TeflonT said:
Horses who's owners do not take the same responsibility as dog owners. I have a right to drive may car on the road, but should I really be subjected to a face full of horse excrement because horse owners do not take the same responsibility as dog owners.
I slow down for horses. I believe they have as much right to be on the road as a walker, cyclist or car. A road is not a 'car-road' , it is a 'public right of way' . But not clearing up the excrement is arrogant, unhygenic, dangerous and anti-social.
I accept it is more difficult to get off a horse to clear up, compared to the dogwalking situation, but it does not make it acceptable. Riders should go with a friend (well, maybe their least favourite friend...) who clears up. Or at least have the courtesy to retrace steps after a jaunt to go and clear up.
[quote=Baldybong]Some riders have no choice but to ride on some busy roads in order to get to bridle-paths. If given the choice, I can assure you that nobody would choose to take their horse on the road - I know I wouldn't.quote]
So you didn't read this earlier then?
Riders can ride 2-abreast, it's not illegal and it's the safest way to travel with horses on a road.
As for horse muck on the road - it is essentially vegetable matter as horses are vegetarians, it doesn't pose the same health risks as dog muck, it quickly rots down and you don't have to drive through it, you can avoid it. I know people who clear it up for their gardens.
And as someone said earlier - the roads are for everyone, not just cars.
So you didn't read this earlier then?
Riders can ride 2-abreast, it's not illegal and it's the safest way to travel with horses on a road.
As for horse muck on the road - it is essentially vegetable matter as horses are vegetarians, it doesn't pose the same health risks as dog muck, it quickly rots down and you don't have to drive through it, you can avoid it. I know people who clear it up for their gardens.
And as someone said earlier - the roads are for everyone, not just cars.
And Engineer1 is right - bridlepaths are like gold dust, same as byways. My dad goes green-laning on his road legal MX bike (he's 75 - good on him) and he faces the same trouble with authorities closing down byways, or turning them into footpaths or roads. People don't ride on the roads for a laugh, they ride on them because they HAVE TO to get to the bridlepaths....
Much of the problem is down to lack of ability of the Rider. Just because someone has bounced along on the back of a Horse for many years does not make them a good Rider. Its shocking to see the standard of Riders out on the roads but worse of all they are oblivious to their inability. Added to this chances are the majority of schooling the Horse has had will have been done by the same incompetent Rider a clear recipe for disaster.
This is no reflection on the Original Story just a general observation.
This is no reflection on the Original Story just a general observation.
I always slow for riders when I see them, the risk of spooking a horse is too high (fell off one a couple of months ago when it bolted, ouch)
However we should think about where they are ridden. The modern world has moved on and a horse should not really be on a 60 mph road, slowing to 15-20 for a horse can cause a hazard in its self.
Not sure how we could ever do this and still allow the freedom riders enjoy.
However we should think about where they are ridden. The modern world has moved on and a horse should not really be on a 60 mph road, slowing to 15-20 for a horse can cause a hazard in its self.
Not sure how we could ever do this and still allow the freedom riders enjoy.
I slow right down for horses when I am in the car and tough s
t to anyone behind me who feels inconvenienced.
On the bike I will usually stop until the riders have passed or, if I am following, wait until the rider acknowledges me before I pass.
I've seen the mess a horse can make of a vehicle, let alone the people in or on it...
t to anyone behind me who feels inconvenienced.On the bike I will usually stop until the riders have passed or, if I am following, wait until the rider acknowledges me before I pass.
I've seen the mess a horse can make of a vehicle, let alone the people in or on it...
irocfan said:
AreOut said:
MajorProblem said:
How come you're allowed to st all over the road and not clean it up?
our cars also s*it all over the place (you know, CO2 and stuff) and nobody cleans thatt all over the road and not clean it up?
Horse excrement is as dangerous as an oil slick, especially for bikers etc. and leaving it on the road in this day and age is no more acceptable than a cyclist taking a dump as they're riding along IMO.
Apart from that, I agree with the OP. - It's a shame that some imbeciles can't show some courtesy around horse riders. I can't say I've ever had a problem myself - usually riders are very grateful to those showing consideration…and top marks to the riders I met recently who stopped their horses before a blind bend and waved me past so as not to hold me up unnecessarily.
so called said:
Always slow for horses and riders.
For me it's a simple curtesy.
If I'm in my TVR I knock out of gear so the engine idles so no 'pops and bangs'.
I've never come across a horse person who hasn't returned a friendly response.
can't do that in an auto... though I do go past as slow as possFor me it's a simple curtesy.
If I'm in my TVR I knock out of gear so the engine idles so no 'pops and bangs'.
I've never come across a horse person who hasn't returned a friendly response.
Gassing Station | Motoring News | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff