Nutty horse people: what are they doing wrong?
Discussion
First ever post on PH, I've been pointed here by so many people over the years and never quite got round to it so here goes.
I've lived all my life in a small village in the Home Counties. Bikes are more my thing for having fun on the roads so my daily car is an unremarkable, quiet and slightly underpowered small four door hatchback. The reason for this post is that I share my village with some particularly irresponsible horse owners and after over a decade of the entire village being annoyed by them I think it's time I did something.
I should start by stating that this is not a rant against horse owners in general. As a rural dweller I come in to contact with a lot of horse riders and though they cause minor inconvenience in that they necessitate slowing down the vast majority of them are exemplary road users as much as they can be when sitting astride half a ton of possible future glue and French burgers.
The riders in question run a horse based business in the village. Part of it involves breeding some kind of inbred show horses so these are not placid old plodders but schizophrenic crazies of the rolling eye variety. All of which would probably be OK were it not for the highly irresponsible tactics of the principal riders.
The normal procedure for car and horse passing safely is as follows: Car sees horse from a distance, starts to slow down. Hose rider sees car, pulls to edge of road if they're not already there, horse and car pass each other and continue on their way. Sometimes horse gets jumpy so car slows down more, either way it's soon in the mirror. We've all come across the odd horse tw@t at times but believe me when I say that most riders in my neck of the woods pass in exactly the way I've described, minor inconvenience at worse.
The nutty ones in my village are different. They seem to think that the best tactic is to take up as much of the road as possible and so ride out in the road TOWARDS the car. I think they want to always force the car to stop but I consider that to be unnecessary, inappropriate, irresponsible and dangerous. They've been doing this for years. Everyone in the village has their "nutters from the stables" story. They've got into one or two altercations over the years, usually resulting in nutty horse woman making vague legal threats (My response when that happened to me was "Bring it the FSCK on!". Several years later I'm still waiting.
). After having one of them ride their horse directly at me earlier in the week when I was passing them, causing me to swerve onto the verge (1st gear, walking pace, after all I was passing a horse!), I think it's time something was done so I want to go and have a word with plod about it.
Before I do that though I think I need to know what to say. So I'm looking for input from people who know what they're talking about when it comes to the road traffic act. What laws are they breaking and what magic keywords will make my village liaison officer sit up and beg?
Since I'm genuinely looking for help here please take it as read that I don't need telling they're tw@ts. And also take it as read that I know the general level of tw@ttiness among pony-girls is higher than that of the general population. I've also considered and rejected kill-switch blowouts and the pateneted bumper mounted "Horse-B-Gone!(tm)" ultrasonic canon as likely to get me in to trouble. I'm also aware that plod will probably do fsck all, but since I know one day they will cause a serious accident I want a prior incident number to wave at plod in that event so they have less chance of wriggling out of it.
So, what can I try to get them done for?
I've lived all my life in a small village in the Home Counties. Bikes are more my thing for having fun on the roads so my daily car is an unremarkable, quiet and slightly underpowered small four door hatchback. The reason for this post is that I share my village with some particularly irresponsible horse owners and after over a decade of the entire village being annoyed by them I think it's time I did something.
I should start by stating that this is not a rant against horse owners in general. As a rural dweller I come in to contact with a lot of horse riders and though they cause minor inconvenience in that they necessitate slowing down the vast majority of them are exemplary road users as much as they can be when sitting astride half a ton of possible future glue and French burgers.
The riders in question run a horse based business in the village. Part of it involves breeding some kind of inbred show horses so these are not placid old plodders but schizophrenic crazies of the rolling eye variety. All of which would probably be OK were it not for the highly irresponsible tactics of the principal riders.
The normal procedure for car and horse passing safely is as follows: Car sees horse from a distance, starts to slow down. Hose rider sees car, pulls to edge of road if they're not already there, horse and car pass each other and continue on their way. Sometimes horse gets jumpy so car slows down more, either way it's soon in the mirror. We've all come across the odd horse tw@t at times but believe me when I say that most riders in my neck of the woods pass in exactly the way I've described, minor inconvenience at worse.
The nutty ones in my village are different. They seem to think that the best tactic is to take up as much of the road as possible and so ride out in the road TOWARDS the car. I think they want to always force the car to stop but I consider that to be unnecessary, inappropriate, irresponsible and dangerous. They've been doing this for years. Everyone in the village has their "nutters from the stables" story. They've got into one or two altercations over the years, usually resulting in nutty horse woman making vague legal threats (My response when that happened to me was "Bring it the FSCK on!". Several years later I'm still waiting.
). After having one of them ride their horse directly at me earlier in the week when I was passing them, causing me to swerve onto the verge (1st gear, walking pace, after all I was passing a horse!), I think it's time something was done so I want to go and have a word with plod about it.Before I do that though I think I need to know what to say. So I'm looking for input from people who know what they're talking about when it comes to the road traffic act. What laws are they breaking and what magic keywords will make my village liaison officer sit up and beg?
Since I'm genuinely looking for help here please take it as read that I don't need telling they're tw@ts. And also take it as read that I know the general level of tw@ttiness among pony-girls is higher than that of the general population. I've also considered and rejected kill-switch blowouts and the pateneted bumper mounted "Horse-B-Gone!(tm)" ultrasonic canon as likely to get me in to trouble. I'm also aware that plod will probably do fsck all, but since I know one day they will cause a serious accident I want a prior incident number to wave at plod in that event so they have less chance of wriggling out of it.
So, what can I try to get them done for?
Edited by XTZ on Sunday 13th January 08:46
Yeah, Plod will have zero interest in this. Horse riders are one of the those unquestionable protected groups of road users along with cyclists.
All I can think of is mounting a miniDV camera (small and cheap) to your dash and setting it to record whenever you go through the village.
All I can think of is mounting a miniDV camera (small and cheap) to your dash and setting it to record whenever you go through the village.
supersingle said:
Yeah, Plod will have zero interest in this. Horse riders are one of the those unquestionable protected groups of road users along with cyclists.
All I can think of is mounting a miniDV camera (small and cheap) to your dash and setting it to record whenever you go through the village.
It's not getting them done that's the point, it's having a previous incident number with the right keywords attached to it. I know plod'll do jack about it but I also know that one day they'll get into an accident and when that happens some poor sod in a car will be getting all the legal cr@p because naturally it could never be the horse rider's fault, could it!All I can think of is mounting a miniDV camera (small and cheap) to your dash and setting it to record whenever you go through the village.
Turn up to their defence with a stack of incident numbers and the prosecution case is holed below the waterline, M'lud. (edit) Plus if someone gets hurt then plod'll get into trouble - "We told you about it, you did fsck all, now a cute little kiddie is in a wheelchair" kind of trouble.
Camera is a good idea though.
Edited by XTZ on Sunday 13th January 09:20
Edited by XTZ on Sunday 13th January 09:22
Sadly, its the very few horsey-types utterly bugger up relationship with road users.
Not sure what will fix this, in the same way numpty on horseback feel they have the height advantage, elements of the motoring fraternity feel insulated in their cars.
We hear them from quite a distance away sometimes on the roads,
(and we only use them when we have to)
you can perhaps imagine walking down a narrow verge listening to an approaching max-power type which they are usually, and wondering how good their reactions are,
its like you say,
slow the car,
pull over over and pass,
continue. job done...
In reality though, its slow hurriedly (a bit) scowl and pass closely alongside,
in same was they pass cyclists.
Nobody wants a horse leaning on car roof, or lashing out with hooves, thats not solving anything,
before this degenerates into the usual anti-other-roaduser thread
I agree with OP
Not sure what will fix this, in the same way numpty on horseback feel they have the height advantage, elements of the motoring fraternity feel insulated in their cars.
We hear them from quite a distance away sometimes on the roads,
(and we only use them when we have to)
you can perhaps imagine walking down a narrow verge listening to an approaching max-power type which they are usually, and wondering how good their reactions are,
its like you say,
slow the car,
pull over over and pass,
continue. job done...
In reality though, its slow hurriedly (a bit) scowl and pass closely alongside,
in same was they pass cyclists.
Nobody wants a horse leaning on car roof, or lashing out with hooves, thats not solving anything,
before this degenerates into the usual anti-other-roaduser thread
I agree with OP
Makes me think of a scene from Godfather.....
I have to say the majority of horse riders I've encountered aren't too bad at all.
The only thing I'd like to see done (impractical though it may be) is make horse owners responsible for their animal crapping all over the road in the same way dog owners are.
I have to say the majority of horse riders I've encountered aren't too bad at all.
The only thing I'd like to see done (impractical though it may be) is make horse owners responsible for their animal crapping all over the road in the same way dog owners are.
Rich 36 said:
That's not terribly helpful, and won't make. Many friends, in the same vein,
posting up pictures of wrecked exotics. For our viewing is not popular for car owners
Please think first.
a focus is exotic? are you stuck in deepest mongolia?posting up pictures of wrecked exotics. For our viewing is not popular for car owners
Please think first.
to the OP, id report it everytime they do it. plod will get to hate you due to taking up all their time with a minor thing. but of course when the horse nutters cause the accident they seem to want it wont be as minor will it?
personally what id love to see if the RSPCA (or similar) taking horses that are terrifed of traffic off owners who force them to walk in the road. i consider it cruel. if i had a dog that was scared of cars i would make every effort to not walk it on the road & indeed with previous dogs i have done. the difference with a horse is their PET is too big to live indoors & the kennel has a silly name. funny how they think it makes them god eh?
ps - you horsey people (i know PH has some) this is all aimed at the bad horse owner, not the sensible ones.
Hooli said:
a focus is exotic? are you stuck in deepest mongolia?
No,I think he meant that posting a picture of a dead(I assume) horse,will have the same effect on the horse brigade as a picture of a wrecked ferrari etc would have on a car enthusiast....Edited by esselte on Sunday 13th January 12:50
If its of any interest still, and (I suggest it guardedly)
Riding a horse on a strip of grass beside road,
Car comes along, its generally regarded in equine terms, to step onto road, forcing the issue, slowing a car driver because......
More times than not, driver thinks its OK to shave riders legs.
Kind of how I was taught HGV,
Narrow road, use all of it, and force oncoming cars to slow rather than risk an accident
Riding a horse on a strip of grass beside road,
Car comes along, its generally regarded in equine terms, to step onto road, forcing the issue, slowing a car driver because......
More times than not, driver thinks its OK to shave riders legs.
Kind of how I was taught HGV,
Narrow road, use all of it, and force oncoming cars to slow rather than risk an accident
similar to how i was taught PSV there Rich. trouble is a lot of horse eejits do it even when you are slowing more than enough or cant move any further. or even better when going around a blind bend.
half the time it seems to me they are trying to get the horse run over & i still think its poor judgement/cruel in a lot of cases. being visable & using your roadspace is one thing, over doing it in the way a lot of horse eejits do its just dumb. in the same way as the bloke i met walking 5 dogs taking the entire width of a country lane is dumb. i wasnt going quick etc, i had no real trouble avoiding him. BUT why not leave space for other road users? horses aren't special, its just a big pet. id do everything in my power to protect my pet & cant understand by horse people dont always have the same attitude.
half the time it seems to me they are trying to get the horse run over & i still think its poor judgement/cruel in a lot of cases. being visable & using your roadspace is one thing, over doing it in the way a lot of horse eejits do its just dumb. in the same way as the bloke i met walking 5 dogs taking the entire width of a country lane is dumb. i wasnt going quick etc, i had no real trouble avoiding him. BUT why not leave space for other road users? horses aren't special, its just a big pet. id do everything in my power to protect my pet & cant understand by horse people dont always have the same attitude.
I think thats the crux actually, and risking a flaming in saying it,
in the last few years I have to say, that I've met an incredible number of dysfuntional
horse owners. and I'm loathe to go any further in descriptive terms
the arrogance is something to behold, as mentioned in general terms earlier in thread,
and I can see it too,
there will come a time that some sort of test or qualification will be needed to keep a horse/use in public, and thats not such a bad thing,
I'll get me chaps'
in the last few years I have to say, that I've met an incredible number of dysfuntional
horse owners. and I'm loathe to go any further in descriptive terms
the arrogance is something to behold, as mentioned in general terms earlier in thread,
and I can see it too,
there will come a time that some sort of test or qualification will be needed to keep a horse/use in public, and thats not such a bad thing,
I'll get me chaps'
Soren2 said:
Santa Claws said:
I have a good tactic for numpty horse riders - I dip the clutch in and gun the engine a few times whilst tooting the horn.
Or winding down the windows and shouting "MMMMMMMMMMMM, HORSE-BURGERS!!!" helps too.
Fun perhaps 'til it earns 6 points and a sec59 warning...Or winding down the windows and shouting "MMMMMMMMMMMM, HORSE-BURGERS!!!" helps too.
Rich 36 said:
That's not terribly helpful, and won't make. Many friends, in the same vein,
posting up pictures of wrecked exotics. For our viewing is not popular for car owners
Please think first.
Thank you for your advice. Whilst the picture was posted to prompt a reaction, if I was faced with same situation with a bunch of unreasonable horseriders, I think I might do exactly as I have suggested. I am not trying to make friends with them after all. I am trying to get them to act more resposbibly. A bit like the sriver education adverts for where your seat belt, look out for the motorcyclist, keep your distance etc.posting up pictures of wrecked exotics. For our viewing is not popular for car owners
Please think first.
This subject always ends the same way, and I've read and sometimes participated in a lot of them here.
I suppose in the same way Bikers sometimes say
'Everyone should do Six months on a Bike before driving a car'
there should ideally be further comprehension of Horse/Tractor/bicycle road use, but I guess it'll be public opinion that ultimately decides,
in the same way smoking & (Speeding?) becomes unsavoury,
and we end up in a H&S utopian society. with any trace of danger and the very idea of accident airbrushed out.
For myself, recent events and subsequent investigation by Plod, culminated in offer of course on
National Driver Improvement Scheme simply because there was nothing to prove fault on my part or that of vehicle, and blame must be attributed somewhere with a small financial penalty.
Perhaps we can litigate for every roadkill in future.
I suppose in the same way Bikers sometimes say
'Everyone should do Six months on a Bike before driving a car'
there should ideally be further comprehension of Horse/Tractor/bicycle road use, but I guess it'll be public opinion that ultimately decides,
in the same way smoking & (Speeding?) becomes unsavoury,
and we end up in a H&S utopian society. with any trace of danger and the very idea of accident airbrushed out.
For myself, recent events and subsequent investigation by Plod, culminated in offer of course on
National Driver Improvement Scheme simply because there was nothing to prove fault on my part or that of vehicle, and blame must be attributed somewhere with a small financial penalty.
Perhaps we can litigate for every roadkill in future.
Santa Claws said:
tigger1 said:
Soren2 said:
Santa Claws said:
I have a good tactic for numpty horse riders - I dip the clutch in and gun the engine a few times whilst tooting the horn.
Or winding down the windows and shouting "MMMMMMMMMMMM, HORSE-BURGERS!!!" helps too.
Fun perhaps 'til it earns 6 points and a sec59 warning...Or winding down the windows and shouting "MMMMMMMMMMMM, HORSE-BURGERS!!!" helps too.
Shame, really. Horse tastes quite nice.
Whether it's 'want' or 'need' depends on how vulnerable you feel.
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