Horses shouldn't be allowed on the country roads
Discussion
It can be a bit of a nuisance sometimes, but everyone has to have a hobby.
Banning horses from the roads is a bit of a slippery slope if you ask me. As a general rule horses are now used for recreational purposes only, having been made obsolete as transport at the advent of the motor car. Petrol cars will soon go the same way as EV's take over, not to mention self driving cars as well. If we were to ban horses from the roads it wouldn't be too long before some MP suggested we ban all petrol cars from the roads as they're suffocating babies etc. At least if we let them crack on as they are there's a slim chance we may still be permitted on the actual road in our weekend fun cars, and not confined to just using them on a race track.
Banning horses from the roads is a bit of a slippery slope if you ask me. As a general rule horses are now used for recreational purposes only, having been made obsolete as transport at the advent of the motor car. Petrol cars will soon go the same way as EV's take over, not to mention self driving cars as well. If we were to ban horses from the roads it wouldn't be too long before some MP suggested we ban all petrol cars from the roads as they're suffocating babies etc. At least if we let them crack on as they are there's a slim chance we may still be permitted on the actual road in our weekend fun cars, and not confined to just using them on a race track.
jagnet said:
Beat me too it .... either of my landrovers or Unimog resemble that list !!Phib
TooMany2cvs said:
One which makes part of its money from offering equine activities...
Like the one right next door to me, or the one at the other end of the lane.
I am 99% certain that horses are classed as leisure by HMRC for tax purposes and NOT agricultural.Like the one right next door to me, or the one at the other end of the lane.
I am 100% certain that people with horses are from another universe
jagnet said:
Touche. I'd have gone for a Sinclair C5 for D though.Car going on the brake rollers at the MOT test centre, push the brake pedal, doesn't work the brakes, but the gearbox drops in to first, delivers power to the wheels and the steering wheel turns hard right. Hmmm. Yeah that's a pass mate all good.
Bennet said:
I've yet to read a good argument for the continued accomodation in law for horses on the road.
Whenever the question is asked, the response never seems have any more substance than sarcasm, irrelevant counter questions and appeals to other road users to be accomodating.
Because it's good to share. Because people like doing different things. Because you're no more important than anyone else.Whenever the question is asked, the response never seems have any more substance than sarcasm, irrelevant counter questions and appeals to other road users to be accomodating.
I don't mind horses on the road. Although I do wish they wouldn't do the whole two abreast thing right when everyone either trying to get to work or get home. You don't need to be moving your hobby horses during rush hour surely!
The only real bad experience I have had is when I rounded a corner on a country road (about 40mph, not a super tight bend), only to find a horsebox essentially in the middle of the road, right after the corner. That was a bit of a brown trouser moment! Surely he could have gotten the warning triangle out of his RR and placed it in advance of the corner...would have been a help.
Some of them just need to have a little more courtesy I think. I always make sure to slow right down and creep by on idle essentially (595 can be a bit loud), so as not to irk the horses. The riders are generally appreciative. Though as I say, perhaps they could pick their times better and think more about what they are doing on the road when they feel like parking their horseboxes up.
The only real bad experience I have had is when I rounded a corner on a country road (about 40mph, not a super tight bend), only to find a horsebox essentially in the middle of the road, right after the corner. That was a bit of a brown trouser moment! Surely he could have gotten the warning triangle out of his RR and placed it in advance of the corner...would have been a help.
Some of them just need to have a little more courtesy I think. I always make sure to slow right down and creep by on idle essentially (595 can be a bit loud), so as not to irk the horses. The riders are generally appreciative. Though as I say, perhaps they could pick their times better and think more about what they are doing on the road when they feel like parking their horseboxes up.
Salamura said:
Of course horses on the road should be banned. Allowing horses on the road because they were "here before cars" is like allowing throwing faeces out the window because this used to be the case before plumbing. It's dangerous, unnecessary, annoying, and selfish.
Nobody uses a horse to get about for genuine reasons (like commuting, working, or travelling). People who do do it only because they have a horse and therefore they can, so they put their own leisure above the danger or inconvenience they cause to other users. You can't compare a horse to a bicycle or a motorbike, because these are not only much less of a hazard for other road users, but are also genuine means of transport in addition to being a recreation vehicle. If you have a horse, you can ride it anywhere, it doesn't have to be a public road. Why people choose to go on the road is beyond me.
Something needs to change.
Why? Is it seriously causing you that much of a problem passing the occasional horse rider that you think they should be legislated off the roads?Nobody uses a horse to get about for genuine reasons (like commuting, working, or travelling). People who do do it only because they have a horse and therefore they can, so they put their own leisure above the danger or inconvenience they cause to other users. You can't compare a horse to a bicycle or a motorbike, because these are not only much less of a hazard for other road users, but are also genuine means of transport in addition to being a recreation vehicle. If you have a horse, you can ride it anywhere, it doesn't have to be a public road. Why people choose to go on the road is beyond me.
Something needs to change.
As for "genuine reasons"...surely you, as a member of a forum dedicated to motoring and cars, many of which are used purely for fun on public roads, can appreciate that recreational use of the roads is a genuine reason. It would be a very sad day indeed if everyone has to justify their use of the roads are being for something practical, and is not allow to set foot (wheel, hoof) on them until they've done so. Would you also apply the same logic to a pedestrian out for a stroll along a country lane? They can require just as much care to pass as a horse rider, so can slow you down just as much whilst you go about using the roads for "genuine reasons".
Whats wrong with the current system, whereby anyone is free to use the public highways as long as they adhere to the highway code? It seems to work fine for most of us. I honestly can't see how this is such a huge bugbear for some people.
Edited by Conscript on Monday 11th June 13:24
CrutyRammers said:
Bennet said:
I've yet to read a good argument for the continued accomodation in law for horses on the road.
Whenever the question is asked, the response never seems have any more substance than sarcasm, irrelevant counter questions and appeals to other road users to be accomodating.
Because it's good to share. Because people like doing different things. Because you're no more important than anyone else.Whenever the question is asked, the response never seems have any more substance than sarcasm, irrelevant counter questions and appeals to other road users to be accomodating.
It's not a principle I disagree with, but it doesn't answer the question about the unpredictability or modern day suitability of horses as road transport.
CrutyRammers said:
Because it's good to share. Because people like doing different things. Because you're no more important than anyone else.
I like to see horse riders on the road. Likewise cyclists, walkers, farmers moving sheep, etc. It's a reminder that the roads are also there for fun, that they've been part of the landscape for centuries and can be used for many purposes. It's two fingers up to enviro loons that make road building nigh on impossible. Car drivers are just one of many beneficiaries of the road network, and whilst they may make up the majority of users they're far from being the only ones.Now, if people using the roads could just get along with one another...
Bennet said:
This would fall under "appeals to other road users to be accomodating."
It's not a principle I disagree with, but it doesn't answer the question about the unpredictability or modern day suitability of horses as road transport.
I don't think many use them to commute. It's mainly between stables and/or Bridleways? Why is it such a difficult one for people, are you saying that only motorised vehicles are suitable as road transport?It's not a principle I disagree with, but it doesn't answer the question about the unpredictability or modern day suitability of horses as road transport.
yonex said:
Bennet said:
This would fall under "appeals to other road users to be accomodating."
It's not a principle I disagree with, but it doesn't answer the question about the unpredictability or modern day suitability of horses as road transport.
I don't think many use them to commute. It's mainly between stables and/or Bridleways? Why is it such a difficult one for people, are you saying that only motorised vehicles are suitable as road transport?It's not a principle I disagree with, but it doesn't answer the question about the unpredictability or modern day suitability of horses as road transport.
TooMany2cvs said:
Bennet said:
It's not a principle I disagree with, but it doesn't answer the question about the unpredictability or modern day suitability of horses as road transport.
Should all vehicles that don't make sensible transport be banned?Not all vehicles - Just the ones that rely on the temperament, judgement and whims of an animal.
I've nothing against horses on the road, well, not on fast/busy roads.
However, I don't understand why anyone would actually want to ride on a tarmac road for pleasure on a horse. Surely you would always be worried someone may fly round a blind corner and wipe you (and your horse) out, or cause the horse to throw you off?
Why would you not rather ride through fields/off road paths/beaches etc where you don't have to be constantly worrying about cars/vans/trucks/motorbikes? Surely that's much more enjoyable. Makes no sense to me.
However, I don't understand why anyone would actually want to ride on a tarmac road for pleasure on a horse. Surely you would always be worried someone may fly round a blind corner and wipe you (and your horse) out, or cause the horse to throw you off?
Why would you not rather ride through fields/off road paths/beaches etc where you don't have to be constantly worrying about cars/vans/trucks/motorbikes? Surely that's much more enjoyable. Makes no sense to me.
Bennet said:
The method by which actual locomation is accomplished is irrelevant in my opinion. It's the lack of full control, unpredictability, inability of the animal to necessarily cope with the noise or sudden appearance modern, fast moving traffic - all things that a cyclist, say, would have no problems with.
A police horse is probably more sensible than a novice cyclist?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff