Cyclists and Horses
Discussion
It has been mentioned to me this week that a well respected member of the New Forest horsey community called David Horton has just died aged 64.
The reason I am telling you this is David was out on his horse last week and his horse was spooked by somebody on a Mountain Bike. The mountain biker shouldn't have been riding in the area he was and David fell from his horse and hit his head. He ended up in a coma and later died from his injuries.
There is already an anti cyclist feeling from a section of the Forest type and feelings are already running high (highlighted by the wiggle events) . This unfortunate event will further heighten tensions between the groups in my opinion, and I urge you all to be careful if out and about in the forest, especially if you come across any horse riders.
If you are off road, please keep to designated tracks. When passing horses, talk to the rider and let them know you are there. Slow down and pass wide. It might cost you a few seconds and you might miss out on that Strava segment, but better that than spooking half a ton of horse.
Here is some useful stuff about cyclists and horses
http://www.devon.gov.uk/bhs-cycling-guidance-leafl...
The reason I am telling you this is David was out on his horse last week and his horse was spooked by somebody on a Mountain Bike. The mountain biker shouldn't have been riding in the area he was and David fell from his horse and hit his head. He ended up in a coma and later died from his injuries.
There is already an anti cyclist feeling from a section of the Forest type and feelings are already running high (highlighted by the wiggle events) . This unfortunate event will further heighten tensions between the groups in my opinion, and I urge you all to be careful if out and about in the forest, especially if you come across any horse riders.
If you are off road, please keep to designated tracks. When passing horses, talk to the rider and let them know you are there. Slow down and pass wide. It might cost you a few seconds and you might miss out on that Strava segment, but better that than spooking half a ton of horse.
Here is some useful stuff about cyclists and horses
http://www.devon.gov.uk/bhs-cycling-guidance-leafl...
Sad news indeed but why was the MTBer not suppose to be there? Was it private property or similar?
I had a predicament when a few of us were riding from Bromley to the Isle of Wight and passing through the Surrey hills when we were approaching a lady on a horse. We don't have bells or anything but decided to pass slowly and with caution but it still managed to spook the lady a little.
As I rode past her, I asked how we could make ourselves more known and we came to the conclusion that a loud cough would suffice.
Strange really. Does anyone else have any suggestions?? Fog Horn perhaps??
I had a predicament when a few of us were riding from Bromley to the Isle of Wight and passing through the Surrey hills when we were approaching a lady on a horse. We don't have bells or anything but decided to pass slowly and with caution but it still managed to spook the lady a little.
As I rode past her, I asked how we could make ourselves more known and we came to the conclusion that a loud cough would suffice.
Strange really. Does anyone else have any suggestions?? Fog Horn perhaps??
longfellow said:
Sad news indeed but why was the MTBer not suppose to be there? Was it private property or similar?
Exactly.But it is the risk you take riding a wild animal around an area used by other people.
It could have just of easily been a fox, rabbit, dog that spooked the horse so no need to give cyclists a hard time.
I do understand that pretty much anything has the potential to scare any animal if it's approached quickly and without warning but when you're riding a bike, unless you constantly make yourself aware, you will always end up startling the other person, whether they're on horseback or another bike.
I'm not sure how you avoid this?
I'm not sure how you avoid this?
My OH rides a horse (I walk the dog) and we often find cyclists don't know what to do when they approach us, especially from behind.
A cheery "hello" or "coming by" from 5-10 metres back is great. Some of the lanes we walk are pretty small and if you give us a greeting we can move to one side or at this time of year out of the mud/leaves/acorns to give you a clear bit of road to overtake on. Not so relevant to the mountain bikers I know.
Human voices work better than bells, horns or the like as horses are more used to them. Let's share the countryside and enjoy our respective hobbies.
A cheery "hello" or "coming by" from 5-10 metres back is great. Some of the lanes we walk are pretty small and if you give us a greeting we can move to one side or at this time of year out of the mud/leaves/acorns to give you a clear bit of road to overtake on. Not so relevant to the mountain bikers I know.
Human voices work better than bells, horns or the like as horses are more used to them. Let's share the countryside and enjoy our respective hobbies.
If we meet up with a horse I call a "good morning" asap , then follow it up with announcing the number of bikes coming past.
If the hose starts prancing about, just hold back, wait , and talk to them before passing.
If there is a kid on a pony with them , I always tell them what a beautiful pony they have , the parents love that
If the hose starts prancing about, just hold back, wait , and talk to them before passing.
If there is a kid on a pony with them , I always tell them what a beautiful pony they have , the parents love that
longfellow said:
Sad news indeed but why was the MTBer not suppose to be there? Was it private property or similar?
You are only supposed to ride on designated routes in the forest. You can't ride where you like. Big fine if caught off the marked routeshttp://www.new-forest-national-park.com/new-forest...
tintopracer said:
My OH rides a horse (I walk the dog) and we often find cyclists don't know what to do when they approach us, especially from behind.
A cheery "hello" or "coming by" from 5-10 metres back is great. Some of the lanes we walk are pretty small and if you give us a greeting we can move to one side or at this time of year out of the mud/leaves/acorns to give you a clear bit of road to overtake on. Not so relevant to the mountain bikers I know.
Human voices work better than bells, horns or the like as horses are more used to them. Let's share the countryside and enjoy our respective hobbies.
This is what I do, seems to be appreciated and makes life easier for all.A cheery "hello" or "coming by" from 5-10 metres back is great. Some of the lanes we walk are pretty small and if you give us a greeting we can move to one side or at this time of year out of the mud/leaves/acorns to give you a clear bit of road to overtake on. Not so relevant to the mountain bikers I know.
Human voices work better than bells, horns or the like as horses are more used to them. Let's share the countryside and enjoy our respective hobbies.
swerni said:
Very sad
I was on the last wiggle new Forrest, they were very clear about what to do when encountering horses.
The also had marshals on the course who they claimed would remove people from the event if they were seen to be riding inconsiderably, they were taking it all very seriously.
Clearly is down to added pressures from the locals
The problem arises everywhere, horse riders, cyclists, walkers, car drivers, motorcyclists a lot of people forget that they need to share where they are using. I was on the last wiggle new Forrest, they were very clear about what to do when encountering horses.
The also had marshals on the course who they claimed would remove people from the event if they were seen to be riding inconsiderably, they were taking it all very seriously.
Clearly is down to added pressures from the locals
Eddh said:
It could have just of easily been a fox, rabbit, dog that spooked the horse so no need to give cyclists a hard time.
True.But foxes, rabbits and dogs cannot shout "BIKE" like I do from a good distance before I get to the horse. I can shout "BIKE" and therefore reduce the risk of injury to the rider and myself if the horse goes a bit bonkers when I go by. EVERY time I shout "BIKE" I always, without fail, get an appreciative comment from the rider(s). Why take such a risk when shouting one little word is all that is needed to protect everyone and also get yourself some respect from another person out enjoying themselves on their chosen mode of transport*...?!
*not that I like horses, I hate the bloomin' things
Longers said:
Eddh said:
It could have just of easily been a fox, rabbit, dog that spooked the horse so no need to give cyclists a hard time.
True.But foxes, rabbits and dogs cannot shout "BIKE" like I do from a good distance before I get to the horse. I can shout "BIKE" and therefore reduce the risk of injury to the rider and myself if the horse goes a bit bonkers when I go by. EVERY time I shout "BIKE" I always, without fail, get an appreciative comment from the rider(s). Why take such a risk when shouting one little word is all that is needed to protect everyone and also get yourself some respect from another person out enjoying themselves on their chosen mode of transport*...?!
*not that I like horses, I hate the bloomin' things
What does irk me is the steaming piles of s
t on the road but that's another topic 
odyssey2200 said:
having shouted "bike" or similar friendly warning at horse riders in the past the net result is that the 2 abreast riders continue unmoved (I swear the bhes actually slowed down) and "lane hog".
Exactly the same gets levelled at bike riders by motorists. We're all sharing the road; just as some poeple ride bikes selfishly, some horsey types do the same. No need to paint all riders with the same brush, and besides some of them are FIT =)hes actually slowed down) and "lane hog".Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff