Are there car-hating horse riders, like car-hating cyclists?
Discussion
heebeegeetee said:
Practically every horse rider is unconcerned that their leisure activity inconveniences everyone else by a great deal.
You know, for a second I thought you'd hit the nail on the head, then I realised I'd misread it.EFA:
heebeegeetee said:
Practically everyone's leisure activities inconvenience someone else by a small amount.
Everything we do has an impact on other people. Yes, the tiny number of people who ride horses provide some disruption for the handful of seconds - minutes at the most - of any day you happen to encounter them. But if you let that become an issue you'd never be able to do anything without offending some NIMBY. Let's see:- Obviously you'd never be able to start or drive a V8 or anything with a sports exhaust in a built up area
- You never be able to race or go on a track day - circuits that have been in use since before the war are under threat, because people who weren't even born when the track was first in use complain about the noise
- Disaproving individuals will claim that anyone who exceeds NSL on a fun B-road - even in complete safety - should be shot, because clearly they're risking everyone's lives
- Farmers would never be able to drive a tractor from one field to another via a road because it might drop mud (in the countryside ... who'd have thought it?)
- Playing music in your house could be construed as anti-social if you have any neighbours
- Smoking often annoys non-smokers
- A typical A-to-B motorist driving to the shops, let alone a truck or bus, will hold up anyone who's into driving
The point is, virtually everything we do has the potential to offend someone and vice versa. You can either go on the war path every time someone does something slightly outside of you own personal preferences or you can accept that next time it'll be your turn to mildly and unintentionally inconvenience someone and just get on with life.
CraigyMc said:
There are about 1.25 to 1.5 million horses in the UK and about 4 million people have ridden in the last year.
In other words, "very small number of people" is a load of b
ks.
C
How many horses are ridden on the roads on a daily basis? I doubt a million, but even then 1 million in 62 million is definitely a minority.In other words, "very small number of people" is a load of b
ks.C
doogz said:
He cycles. Bit hypocritical.
No I don't and no it's not. Cyclists are easy to pass, you don't even need to slow down most times. When bicycles are carried on vehicles they aren't driven extremely slowly with an enormous tailback behind.heebeegeetee said:
Cyclists are easy to pass, you don't even need to slow down most times.
I'm guessing you don't have any cycle clubs near you then. Even one on its own is not always easy to pass, as soon as you get a group of them either all together or stretched out, single or two abreast, they are not easy to pass.Chris71 said:
The point is, virtually everything we do has the potential to offend someone and vice versa. You can either go on the war path every time someone does something slightly outside of you own personal preferences or you can accept that next time it'll be your turn to mildly and unintentionally inconvenience someone and just get on with life.
This.PainTrain said:
mattdaniels said:
So is diesel. So is oil. etc. etc. Do you see drivers mopping up after themselves?
If you can't avoid a dollop of horse poo you're driving too fast for the situation.
If the person did knowingly leave oil or diesel on the road and it caused an accident I would assume they could be prosecuted? If you can't avoid a dollop of horse poo you're driving too fast for the situation.
CraigyMc said:
There are about 1.25 to 1.5 million horses in the UK and about 4 million people have ridden in the last year.
In other words, "very small number of people" is a load of bks.
C
Do you know how many horses are on the road at any one point, as an average? Not an attack, I am genuinely interested. In other words, "very small number of people" is a load of b
ks.C
Here are some numbers on the Horsey industry in the UK as of 2007. http://www.horsetrust.org.uk/news/newsitem/current...
Anecdotally, I think there are more horses now than there were then, but I've nothing to prove that scientifically.
I'd suggest that comparing horses on the road with horses in pasture or a yard is a bit like comparing cars on the road with cars on green lanes: They are both quite rare, in context.
Our horse is on road perhaps twice a week for about 2 miles at a time, so maybe spends 1 hour per week out of 168 on road.
He actually competes in endurance racing events of up to 65Km, but these are all on tracks and on open ground (we live near the new forest, and it's not by accident). Most of the time he's not on road. When he is, he'll interrup hooning by being in a horsebox, which I'd suggest is harder for people to get past as it's frickin huge.
There aren't many horses who are more at home on roads than on grass: the only ones I can think of are ones towing traps or buggies.
In general if you see a horse/horses out and about they will often be going somewhere to run, rather than just plodding about on road all the time.
C
I think they should keep off the roads, as they are dangerous and cause congestion. A horse by its very nature is unpredictable and has no place on the highway with traffic.
One of the pit falls are people driving fast as some of us do from time to time, I drive slowly past horses, i dont come to a stop like some people, and I would never put my foot down anywhere near one.
I remember seeing a girl from school on a horse that got startled and went mental kicking out and damaging cars. All the cars had stopped for it, yet it damaged a few cars and she was crying her eyes out hanging on for dear life.
Stick to the fields, its far safer.
One of the pit falls are people driving fast as some of us do from time to time, I drive slowly past horses, i dont come to a stop like some people, and I would never put my foot down anywhere near one.
I remember seeing a girl from school on a horse that got startled and went mental kicking out and damaging cars. All the cars had stopped for it, yet it damaged a few cars and she was crying her eyes out hanging on for dear life.
Stick to the fields, its far safer.
nottyash said:
I remember seeing a girl from school on a horse that got startled and went mental kicking out and damaging cars. All the cars had stopped for it, yet it damaged a few cars and she was crying her eyes out hanging on for dear life.
Stick to the fields, its far safer.
I'm not sure if you're aware but this sort of thing is usually covered by insurance (yes, we have it on our horse). http://www.bhs.org.uk/Join_Or_Support_Us/Join_the_...Stick to the fields, its far safer.
As for the sticking to the fields thing - the only time our horse is ridden on the road is when he's going to or from a field (well, technically it's a common but who is counting?). It's safer to have someone on his back than leading him about - there's more control.
When I was a kid, [early teen 50 years ago] we would ride our horses to gymkhanas, show jumping, & polo cross events, often 10 or 15 miles from home. Perhaps the road verges were wider, but we had no problems with any traffic. I did have one horse which would buck when ever a truck loaded with sheep went by, but otherwise no problems.
We would go for trail rides, mostly on stock routs, but including some roads, also without problems.
I know we often say things are not what they used to be, but I believe this is true of horses today. Those who rarely see a road are not as easy to handle as horses of old, who spent much of their time on them. When I recently saw my daughter leading our stallion down the road, to train with a friend, I realised that this was the first time that 14 year old horse had walked on a public road. Otherwise he travels in a truck or float. I was glad she was not silly enough to ride him.
I own 3 sports cars, & no longer ride horses, so I can see things from both sides.
However I would like to say that most horse riders like too keep off slippery bitumen roads, when ever possible, which makes them much less annoying than those ##@*^^#@!* bike riders.
We would go for trail rides, mostly on stock routs, but including some roads, also without problems.
I know we often say things are not what they used to be, but I believe this is true of horses today. Those who rarely see a road are not as easy to handle as horses of old, who spent much of their time on them. When I recently saw my daughter leading our stallion down the road, to train with a friend, I realised that this was the first time that 14 year old horse had walked on a public road. Otherwise he travels in a truck or float. I was glad she was not silly enough to ride him.
I own 3 sports cars, & no longer ride horses, so I can see things from both sides.
However I would like to say that most horse riders like too keep off slippery bitumen roads, when ever possible, which makes them much less annoying than those ##@*^^#@!* bike riders.
I'd suggest that if a car is close enough for the rider to hit the car with the whip then the car is too close.
Horses to get in the way, but, it doesn't bother me.
It's unlikely the horse rider is riding on the road for fun, chances are they are on their way to or from a field.
If the Horses are two abreast then I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that the outer rider is protecting the inner rider who may be inexperienced or on a young horse.
I would further take a guess that the horse riders would like to be off the road just as much as I would like them off the road – but, the roads are the only way for them to get from point A to point B.
I reserve the right to change my mind if the local riding schools start using the road during rush hour or if they start holding time trials on the main road like the cycle clubs do.
Horses to get in the way, but, it doesn't bother me.
It's unlikely the horse rider is riding on the road for fun, chances are they are on their way to or from a field.
If the Horses are two abreast then I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that the outer rider is protecting the inner rider who may be inexperienced or on a young horse.
I would further take a guess that the horse riders would like to be off the road just as much as I would like them off the road – but, the roads are the only way for them to get from point A to point B.
I reserve the right to change my mind if the local riding schools start using the road during rush hour or if they start holding time trials on the main road like the cycle clubs do.
Unfortunately some of the riders, usually little madams, do seem to have a bit of an attitude.
Anecdotal example, one evening slowly meandering home from work on the back lanes could see a rider having trouble controlling her horse. So I slowed and stopped well short. Other traffic came and stopped and waited for her to get it under control.
Once she'd backed and filled and got it pointing in roughly the right direction the horse and rider slowly passed by. This took about ten minutes. Clearly one or both were not fit to be out on a public road.
We all waited until she'd got past and then set off. One car that had pulled off had a driving wheel in some gravel and as it set off the wheel momentarily lost grip, and I do mean momentarily.
The rider spun round in the saddle seat, fired off a V sign, plus the language!
I feel sorry for horse riders generally when you have arsey ungrateful behaviour like that amongst your ranks. It's these sorts who are remembered, not the majority who appreciate and signal their thanks for responsible and caring behaviour.
Anecdotal example, one evening slowly meandering home from work on the back lanes could see a rider having trouble controlling her horse. So I slowed and stopped well short. Other traffic came and stopped and waited for her to get it under control.
Once she'd backed and filled and got it pointing in roughly the right direction the horse and rider slowly passed by. This took about ten minutes. Clearly one or both were not fit to be out on a public road.
We all waited until she'd got past and then set off. One car that had pulled off had a driving wheel in some gravel and as it set off the wheel momentarily lost grip, and I do mean momentarily.
The rider spun round in the saddle seat, fired off a V sign, plus the language!
I feel sorry for horse riders generally when you have arsey ungrateful behaviour like that amongst your ranks. It's these sorts who are remembered, not the majority who appreciate and signal their thanks for responsible and caring behaviour.
F i F said:
Unfortunately some of the riders, usually little madams, do seem to have a bit of an attitude.
Anecdotal example, one evening slowly meandering home from work on the back lanes could see a rider having trouble controlling her horse. So I slowed and stopped well short. Other traffic came and stopped and waited for her to get it under control.
Once she'd backed and filled and got it pointing in roughly the right direction the horse and rider slowly passed by. This took about ten minutes. Clearly one or both were not fit to be out on a public road.
We all waited until she'd got past and then set off. One car that had pulled off had a driving wheel in some gravel and as it set off the wheel momentarily lost grip, and I do mean momentarily.
The rider spun round in the saddle seat, fired off a V sign, plus the language!
I feel sorry for horse riders generally when you have arsey ungrateful behaviour like that amongst your ranks. It's these sorts who are remembered, not the majority who appreciate and signal their thanks for responsible and caring behaviour.
But your example (with a change in context) could equally apply to car drivers, cyclists, motorbike riders, people in boats....Anecdotal example, one evening slowly meandering home from work on the back lanes could see a rider having trouble controlling her horse. So I slowed and stopped well short. Other traffic came and stopped and waited for her to get it under control.
Once she'd backed and filled and got it pointing in roughly the right direction the horse and rider slowly passed by. This took about ten minutes. Clearly one or both were not fit to be out on a public road.
We all waited until she'd got past and then set off. One car that had pulled off had a driving wheel in some gravel and as it set off the wheel momentarily lost grip, and I do mean momentarily.
The rider spun round in the saddle seat, fired off a V sign, plus the language!
I feel sorry for horse riders generally when you have arsey ungrateful behaviour like that amongst your ranks. It's these sorts who are remembered, not the majority who appreciate and signal their thanks for responsible and caring behaviour.
There are bad examples of behaviour with all. Don't put everyone in the same category just because there are some idiots.
Plus with your example above, something had clearly spooked the horse and it could easily have got upset again. She probably thought you had angrily sped off as all she heard was the sound of wheels spinning on gravel. Don't be so quick to judge others.
Snowboy said:
I'd suggest that if a car is close enough for the rider to hit the car with the whip then the car is too close.
Good point. A riding crop is, what ... 2ft long if that? Bearing in mind they're sat above the height of a car (so the arc reduces that distance even further) they have to be very close before they can use it.Also, I've known horse riders to stick their crop out whenever there are cars around, not because they harbour any sort of intention to hit people with it, but simply to create an impression of extra width - a bit like cyclists and motorcyclists positioning wide as a defensive thing.
fulham911club said:
F i F said:
Unfortunately some of the riders, usually little madams, do seem to have a bit of an attitude.
Anecdotal example, one evening slowly meandering home from work on the back lanes could see a rider having trouble controlling her horse. So I slowed and stopped well short. Other traffic came and stopped and waited for her to get it under control.
Once she'd backed and filled and got it pointing in roughly the right direction the horse and rider slowly passed by. This took about ten minutes. Clearly one or both were not fit to be out on a public road.
We all waited until she'd got past and then set off. One car that had pulled off had a driving wheel in some gravel and as it set off the wheel momentarily lost grip, and I do mean momentarily.
The rider spun round in the saddle seat, fired off a V sign, plus the language!
I feel sorry for horse riders generally when you have arsey ungrateful behaviour like that amongst your ranks. It's these sorts who are remembered, not the majority who appreciate and signal their thanks for responsible and caring behaviour.
But your example (with a change in context) could equally apply to car drivers, cyclists, motorbike riders, people in boats....Anecdotal example, one evening slowly meandering home from work on the back lanes could see a rider having trouble controlling her horse. So I slowed and stopped well short. Other traffic came and stopped and waited for her to get it under control.
Once she'd backed and filled and got it pointing in roughly the right direction the horse and rider slowly passed by. This took about ten minutes. Clearly one or both were not fit to be out on a public road.
We all waited until she'd got past and then set off. One car that had pulled off had a driving wheel in some gravel and as it set off the wheel momentarily lost grip, and I do mean momentarily.
The rider spun round in the saddle seat, fired off a V sign, plus the language!
I feel sorry for horse riders generally when you have arsey ungrateful behaviour like that amongst your ranks. It's these sorts who are remembered, not the majority who appreciate and signal their thanks for responsible and caring behaviour.
There are bad examples of behaviour with all. Don't put everyone in the same category just because there are some idiots.
Plus with your example above, something had clearly spooked the horse and it could easily have got upset again. She probably thought you had angrily sped off as all she heard was the sound of wheels spinning on gravel. Don't be so quick to judge others.
fulham911club said:
Don't be so quick to judge others.
With respect I was there you weren't, there was nothing quick about it, and her reaction was out of all proportion to the incident, especially after all the extreme consideration she had been given. About six/eight vehicles completely stopped, many with engines off. The horse was not fit to be on that public road at that time.But yes agreed you can apply it to everyone, and every type of road user, as pointed out earlier. Thought I didn't need to say it again that it applies to all categories, that we remember the few who display an attitude and ignore the majority.
mosp said:
Anybody who is anti-horse should remember this - its a great way to meet and hang around with women who:
1) spend a lot of time riding which does wonders for the thighs/bum
2) wear tight trousers most of the time
3) spend so much time/money on their hobby that its leaves them little time to moan about YOUR hobby of the expensive motor/etc
mosp
ps yes, there is the point 4) "quite prone to the mental" but we will skip over that
Like your thinking!1) spend a lot of time riding which does wonders for the thighs/bum
2) wear tight trousers most of the time
3) spend so much time/money on their hobby that its leaves them little time to moan about YOUR hobby of the expensive motor/etc
mosp
ps yes, there is the point 4) "quite prone to the mental" but we will skip over that
XitUp said:
People tend to give horses a lot more room when passing than they do bikes.
Perhaps if bikes were half a ton and mental people would not bes to cyclists.
I think that the main difference is that the horse is a dumb animal that does not have any comprehension of the rules of the road.Perhaps if bikes were half a ton and mental people would not be
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