RE: Mind the Glue Pots
Friday 3rd May 2002
Mind the Glue Pots
Another lame attempt at improving driver skills
Discussion
Most riders are covered by idemnity insurance should their horse cause damage to you or your property.
I can only see this as a good, if not a little misguided thing really. I used to ride, quite a lot, not been on a horse for years now (one end bites, the other end smells) and my mother still does ride every day. The things that she tells me go on, usually by Max Power types in Nova's really is shocking, they seem to have no appreciationg of the power of a one ton dumb animal and what that animal can do if its scared by a bunch of tw*ts.
I do agree though, this shouldnt be focused purely at horses the standard of observation and indeed driving needs to be raised across the board.
Random re-tests was this weekends midnight solution to the issue.
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Friday 3rd May 10:54
I can only see this as a good, if not a little misguided thing really. I used to ride, quite a lot, not been on a horse for years now (one end bites, the other end smells) and my mother still does ride every day. The things that she tells me go on, usually by Max Power types in Nova's really is shocking, they seem to have no appreciationg of the power of a one ton dumb animal and what that animal can do if its scared by a bunch of tw*ts.
I do agree though, this shouldnt be focused purely at horses the standard of observation and indeed driving needs to be raised across the board.
Random re-tests was this weekends midnight solution to the issue.
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Friday 3rd May 10:54
reminds me of one night when I turned a corner on a country lane, fairly fast only to meet a horse, loose in the road, only just missed it....
personally though I always give horse riders consideration, I think the kind of people who need to be told to slow down and not hoot horses probably shouldn't be driving !
personally though I always give horse riders consideration, I think the kind of people who need to be told to slow down and not hoot horses probably shouldn't be driving !
quote:
The things that she tells me go on, usually by Max Power types in Nova's really is shocking, they seem to have no appreciationg of the power of a one ton dumb animal and what that animal can do if its scared by a bunch of tw*ts.
Exactly, and how many of them are at home of an evening watching public education films? Posters in w@nkers window at Halfords might be better...
"Maybe a strickter test before riders are allowed on the road is needed. I've seen some appalling horse control, why do we get all the blame. bloody typical!"
I ride most weekends and have to cross roads to get on to the bridleways. I hate having to cross the roads but there is no other way to get there. The roads are all 30mph limits on the edge of town, but A$&E h01e5 do tend to speed past, which spooks the horses and there is very little you can do if the horse tries to bolt - trying driving blindfolded with your passenger fighting you to steer the car and you might get some idea what it's like to try and control a startled horse.
The other thing that people do is drive right up behind the horse - fine if you don't mind a horse shoe through your grill.
Most horse riders will tell you that they try and avoid the roads as much as possible and only have the horse at a slow walk - that way they can spot anything that is likely to spook the horse before it happens and are ready if the horse reacts.
By the way - have you ever do any advanced driver training, sounds like it might be useful for you.
I'm both Police Advanced High Speed car and motorcycle trained.
I ride most weekends and have to cross roads to get on to the bridleways. I hate having to cross the roads but there is no other way to get there. The roads are all 30mph limits on the edge of town, but A$&E h01e5 do tend to speed past, which spooks the horses and there is very little you can do if the horse tries to bolt - trying driving blindfolded with your passenger fighting you to steer the car and you might get some idea what it's like to try and control a startled horse.
The other thing that people do is drive right up behind the horse - fine if you don't mind a horse shoe through your grill.
Most horse riders will tell you that they try and avoid the roads as much as possible and only have the horse at a slow walk - that way they can spot anything that is likely to spook the horse before it happens and are ready if the horse reacts.
By the way - have you ever do any advanced driver training, sounds like it might be useful for you.
I'm both Police Advanced High Speed car and motorcycle trained.
Does it not make you wonder if horses should be allowed on the roads at all these days !! If a new mode of transport was invented today that weighed a ton or more and went out of control and would run amok if it heard or saw a somthing that it didnt like and was to be controlled by anyone of virtually any age and experience would it be allowed on our increasingly busy roads ??? I think not.. Also I'd point out that while most riders are insured getting an insurer to pay out to a third party ( ie car driver ) is bl00dy hard work. The mere fact that a horse damaged a car isnt enough to secure a payout, the rider has to be proved negligent which generally involves proving the horse has a prior history of causing accidents and shouldnt have been on the road.. not easy.
quote:
Does it not make you wonder if horses should be allowed on the roads at all these days !! If a new mode of transport was invented today that weighed a ton or more and went out of control and would run amok if it heard or saw a somthing that it didnt like and was to be controlled by anyone of virtually any age and experience would it be allowed on our increasingly busy roads ??? I think not..
[snip]
Sounds like yer classic 'if you want to get to there I wouldn't start from here' argument...
Well I go out on my spacehopper most days and frankly motorists just dont give a sh*t. No one seems prepared to listen to minority interest groups anymore. Someone even suggested that the spacehopper is not a legitimate form of transport and should not be allowed on the road. The cheek of it Every seventies iconic obsessionalist knows that spacehoppers are almost a religion on certain planets.
I don't ride horses, but I have no problem with them using the roads.
They certainly shouldn't be banned from roads, personally I think there has been alot of pointless banning in recent years that only effects the people who weren't the problem in the first place. One example being firearms. A knee jerk ban that has only effected those people who did things correctly and were registered with the relevant authorities.
...Anyway I digress.
Everyone should have the right to use highways as long as they take responsibility for their own actions, and respect other road users, whether they drive a car, ride a horse, motorcycle, bicycle or Nova.
Dan
They certainly shouldn't be banned from roads, personally I think there has been alot of pointless banning in recent years that only effects the people who weren't the problem in the first place. One example being firearms. A knee jerk ban that has only effected those people who did things correctly and were registered with the relevant authorities.
...Anyway I digress.
Everyone should have the right to use highways as long as they take responsibility for their own actions, and respect other road users, whether they drive a car, ride a horse, motorcycle, bicycle or Nova.
Dan
This is getting a bit silly.
I think that Teds point is that it is taken as read that horse riders have a right to go on the road (obviously they have a responsibility to be safe), and many drivers are not careful around horses (or anybody eslse for that matter). Unfortunately it seems unlikely that a government campaign will make any difference to these people.
What is needed is a much higher standard of driver training for all drivers, irrespective of spoilers, neon lights and other acoutrements their car may have.
I think that Teds point is that it is taken as read that horse riders have a right to go on the road (obviously they have a responsibility to be safe), and many drivers are not careful around horses (or anybody eslse for that matter). Unfortunately it seems unlikely that a government campaign will make any difference to these people.
What is needed is a much higher standard of driver training for all drivers, irrespective of spoilers, neon lights and other acoutrements their car may have.
quote:
Well I go out on my spacehopper most days and frankly motorists just dont give a sh*t. No one seems prepared to listen to minority interest groups anymore. Someone even suggested that the spacehopper is not a legitimate form of transport and should not be allowed on the road. The cheek of it Every seventies iconic obsessionalist knows that spacehoppers are almost a religion on certain planets.
Power to the space hopper users
I don't have issues in general with horses on the roads - however I do become somewhat irrate when I encounter a pair of horses walking side by side down the road - effectively blocking the whole carriageway through shere thoughtlessness (from people who don't pay MASSIVELY for the privilege of using the road).
I know people who have horses who say that when training a horse they use the side by side to train the horse - however if the horse is going to be spooked by a car then it should NOT be on the road.
As usual it seems that the car driver, who collectively pays billions into the treasury each year, gets f--ked over and has fewer rights than a dumb animal (and I don't mean the horse).
I know people who have horses who say that when training a horse they use the side by side to train the horse - however if the horse is going to be spooked by a car then it should NOT be on the road.
As usual it seems that the car driver, who collectively pays billions into the treasury each year, gets f--ked over and has fewer rights than a dumb animal (and I don't mean the horse).
Iansb - being a rider myself, I know several of these side-by-side advocates, it's actually recommended by the BHS (and yes, their riding proficiency test is less challenging than the cycling proficiency).
The reason they do it is so that it is impossible for a car to get past without their say-so, ie. they now control the road.
Having been passed several times by cars on blind bends, or when oncoming traffic made the driver have to cut in on the front of the horse I can see what they're trying to do, but riding two abreast is putting themselves, and other road users at far more risk, not to mention annoying every car driver with their 'holier than thou' attitude.
There needs to be education on both sides, a bunch of TV ads will either fall on deaf ears (Max Power and arrogant rider alike) or be preaching to the converted.
>> Edited by Mark Benson on Friday 3rd May 15:48
The reason they do it is so that it is impossible for a car to get past without their say-so, ie. they now control the road.
Having been passed several times by cars on blind bends, or when oncoming traffic made the driver have to cut in on the front of the horse I can see what they're trying to do, but riding two abreast is putting themselves, and other road users at far more risk, not to mention annoying every car driver with their 'holier than thou' attitude.
There needs to be education on both sides, a bunch of TV ads will either fall on deaf ears (Max Power and arrogant rider alike) or be preaching to the converted.
>> Edited by Mark Benson on Friday 3rd May 15:48
As a person who spends a lot of time cycling (as well as driving) around the south downs, I would have rather more respect for horse riders if they had any respect for anybody else. Many times do I come up behind horse riders, often two abreast, on the bike, call out a safe distance behind so they know I'm there.... Do they single up, pause so that I can get passed, not on your life. It is then three abreast for the 50 yds it takes to pass them.
Is there a minimum age for riders on the road? I am fed up with 5-6 year old Gemimas and Jessicas who can only ride a horse as most would push a shopping trolley (ie 45°). It doesn't matter how they are being supervised, 3 stone girl, 1 tonne beast, it is the horse in control.
Only problem I ever have is horse riders and golfers.
Different sides of the same family??
>> Edited by jc8542 on Friday 3rd May 16:41
>> Edited by jc8542 on Friday 3rd May 16:42
Is there a minimum age for riders on the road? I am fed up with 5-6 year old Gemimas and Jessicas who can only ride a horse as most would push a shopping trolley (ie 45°). It doesn't matter how they are being supervised, 3 stone girl, 1 tonne beast, it is the horse in control.
Only problem I ever have is horse riders and golfers.
Different sides of the same family??
>> Edited by jc8542 on Friday 3rd May 16:41
>> Edited by jc8542 on Friday 3rd May 16:42
I have a problem with horses on the road, when in my car. On the bike, I don't care who uses the road, I treat them all with the same equal contempt..
To a cra driver, a horse is a dangerous lump of meat. Why the hell should we tolerate 1 ton of unpredictable attitude on the road? ban the sods, all of them.
See, tolerance is my middle name.
C
To a cra driver, a horse is a dangerous lump of meat. Why the hell should we tolerate 1 ton of unpredictable attitude on the road? ban the sods, all of them.
See, tolerance is my middle name.
C
Yet again, the goverment have come up with another idea that ain't gonna work!!
There are several problems that need to be adressed in this issue, and if you stay with me long enough, I will try a divulge as best I can!
These are in no particular order BTW!
1, Arrogant Horse Riders!!
There is a stable down the road from me and the horses use a farm access road (which is usually shut off at the edge of the farmers land) to access the stable! My uncle lives in a cottage along this road and it is the main/only access to his house! I drive along it quite alot and often come accross rider 2 or 3 abreast along it, I sit back, slow right down and trundle along behind them until they either pass the cottage or let me by! Now, most will quite happily let me by with a friendly smile and a cheery wave! but there are some who turn around, look me in the face and then just turn back and carry on like I wasn't there! This gets my back up! I don't mind if I am close to the cottage and have caught them up, but when they are just entering the road and see me indicating to turn in and just sit there, I get very annoyed! I don't do anything there and then! I have been known the pull in and have a chat with them and voice my displeasure!!! This annoys the drivers and then makes drivers react differently when they next come across a horse!
2, Arrogant Drivers!
How many times have you been making good progress along a coutry road and had to slam on the anchors because you have seen a horse in the road?!?! I know I have had to do it a few times! Well, what about the drivers who don't slam on the anchors, just fly by the horse at 60,70mph!!! Not only does this scare the horse, but scares the riders too!
I have just done a qualifying walk for this years Nijmegen Marches in holland, 25km along public roads! There were "Danger Marchers" signs everywhere, but cars still flew along this road at speeds exceeding 70mph! (we had the local traffic out protecting us! There was a particular driver in a Cavalier clocked at 95 as he passed my team! A team of 4 walkers in a square box 2*2 formation) My hi vis bib was caught AND RIPPED by the WING MIRROR of a Honda Civic driven by an old biddie! another inch and she would have hit me! If this is the way that poeple pass horses, no wonder they ride 2 abreast!!!
3, the Government!!
Need I say more?!
It needs work on all sides to sort this one out! But one thing we will have to live with, is that the Maxy Mob won't here anything over the noise of that 3" bean can they've stuck on their exhausts!!!
There are several problems that need to be adressed in this issue, and if you stay with me long enough, I will try a divulge as best I can!
These are in no particular order BTW!
1, Arrogant Horse Riders!!
There is a stable down the road from me and the horses use a farm access road (which is usually shut off at the edge of the farmers land) to access the stable! My uncle lives in a cottage along this road and it is the main/only access to his house! I drive along it quite alot and often come accross rider 2 or 3 abreast along it, I sit back, slow right down and trundle along behind them until they either pass the cottage or let me by! Now, most will quite happily let me by with a friendly smile and a cheery wave! but there are some who turn around, look me in the face and then just turn back and carry on like I wasn't there! This gets my back up! I don't mind if I am close to the cottage and have caught them up, but when they are just entering the road and see me indicating to turn in and just sit there, I get very annoyed! I don't do anything there and then! I have been known the pull in and have a chat with them and voice my displeasure!!! This annoys the drivers and then makes drivers react differently when they next come across a horse!
2, Arrogant Drivers!
How many times have you been making good progress along a coutry road and had to slam on the anchors because you have seen a horse in the road?!?! I know I have had to do it a few times! Well, what about the drivers who don't slam on the anchors, just fly by the horse at 60,70mph!!! Not only does this scare the horse, but scares the riders too!
I have just done a qualifying walk for this years Nijmegen Marches in holland, 25km along public roads! There were "Danger Marchers" signs everywhere, but cars still flew along this road at speeds exceeding 70mph! (we had the local traffic out protecting us! There was a particular driver in a Cavalier clocked at 95 as he passed my team! A team of 4 walkers in a square box 2*2 formation) My hi vis bib was caught AND RIPPED by the WING MIRROR of a Honda Civic driven by an old biddie! another inch and she would have hit me! If this is the way that poeple pass horses, no wonder they ride 2 abreast!!!
3, the Government!!
Need I say more?!
It needs work on all sides to sort this one out! But one thing we will have to live with, is that the Maxy Mob won't here anything over the noise of that 3" bean can they've stuck on their exhausts!!!
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