Horse Riders

[Hacienda71]

I have no problem with horses on the road, but they are unpredictable. A friend of my family was killed when his horse threw him under a bus. Even when I pass one on my bike I give them a wide berth. Most of the riders acknowledge it and say thanks.

 

[the snail]

Very sad story, but she was an experienced rider so surely knew the risks involved. I meet a lot of horse-riders on my rides, and they seem a friendly bunch, usually wave hello.

 

[Crackle]

Me insecure...... . But seriously without the horse we in this country wouldnt have the privileges we have today. A noble beast mistreated by mankind throughout the ages. if you ever get the chance listen to the ode to the horse read at every Horse of the year show.

I should have qualified it and said the thoughtless insensitive ones with no social graces, which of course does not apply to you LD. Does that get me off the hook?

 

[lukesdad]

I should have qualified it and said the thoughtless insensitive ones with no social graces, which of course does not apply to you LD. Does that get me off the hook?

Aye it does Cracks,

 

[equicyclist]

I think cyclists and horse riders have similar issues with motorists. Iv approached the Welsh assembly Government about consideration for horseriders and the provision of safe access but unfortunately when looking at plans for the new A477 trunk road, a large development at Cross Hands in Carmarthenshire and a wind farm in Brechfa, there seems to be lots of consideration for "traffic "and "transport" but not much that makes reference to horseriders using the roads to get to bridleways or other safe off road opportunities(not much for cyclists either). Having spoken to a Sustrans rep re the A477 trunk road it seems that its easier to get safe crossings and considerations for cyclists (and all non motorised users ) if the non motorised users stand together. As a horse rider and an occasional cyclist with a son and husband who are avid cyclists, I think we all want the same thing. Protection from inconsiderate motorists who think they have the right to the road with no consideration for non motorists who also have a right to be there. We all need to stand together as non motorised users for safety.

Unfortunately for horseriders, we are not considered traffic and do not fall under the walking and cycling strategy either, so as far as planning for anything goes, we fall between a rock and a hard place. We dont want to be on the road but have no choice. No matter who I write to at WAG, no one will admit they have a forgotten user group, placing the blame for non consideration firmly with the local authority who say they can only consider what WAG tells them to.

We have had a similar accident as this in Brecon where a lady died of head injuries despite wearing a helmet. It was an accident caused by a quad with barking dogs in a field that scared the horse when the rider was on the road. They arnt common but do happen and this is definately why I have insurance and many horseriders do.

 

[buggi]

i once pulled up at a junction to see a beautiful shiny sturdy black stallion, at least 18 hands high, walk past with it's rider. They were going towards a small roundabout approx 150 yards away. Suddenly a black sports car raced past them with such speed I closed my eyes sure there was going to be an awful accident. Why the driver was going that fast approaching a horse, let alone a roundabout, is beyond me. to be honest, i don't even think he registered there was a horse there, he passed it so close. Lucky for him, and the rider, the horse was bomb proof. i can only presume it was an ex police horse because i couldn't believe it didn't even flinch. i certainly did!

drivers are as bad around horses as they are around cyclists. i'm not sure if horses see hi-vis but i took a very wide berth around one today when i was wearing mine, just in case i spooked it.

 

[Muddyfox]

I wish drivers on country lanes would remember that just round the corner could be a child on a pony - or on a bike of course

This is the problem .. i am far from anti car as i spend 10 hours a day driving one for my living, but once people are wrapped safely in there metal box with anti skid brakes they feel they are invinsible .. as well as the vulnerable horse riders and cyclist's there are other things just around the corner, i used to be an agricultural contractor and some years ago a young lad in a sporty little car ploughed into the front of my tractor, at the time i was pulling a 12 tonne silage trailer and he hit me at speed there was very little damge to the tractor but his car was totally destroyed and sadly the lad has never walked since the accident .. his only wheels now is a wheelchair

we have a lot of horses using the roads here in Devon and on the whole the car drivers respect their right to be there and pass when it is safe to do so and i fnd the same when im out cycling

Simon

 

[Chamfus Flange]

As far as the use and right sof the public highway, I've always said that horse rides and cyclist have a lot in common and should join up when lobbying for safer roads.

 

[david1701]

horse riders round here are worse off than cyclists because farmers block a lot of the bridleways (so they don't have to maintain them) and horses aren't allowed on the offroad cycle routes which basically restricts you to road riding or having your own land

 

[david1701]

I shall pass onto my sisters who do most of the horse riding (and are actually bhs members)

 

[Sambu]

Great to give horses a wide berth, and even better to call out, "OK to come by?" or something - horses don't understand what a bike is, but they do understand a voice and are reassured by it.

Good to hear from other equestrians + cyclists - the British Horse Society are very good cheerleaders for horse riders' needs when it comes to transport policy, although they don't always come across as that sympathetic to cyclists. I suppose we can't have everything!

I did this the oth er day and a cyclist near me gave me a look like i was insane! got a 'thankyou very much' from the rider though.

 

[Becs]

Great to give horses a wide berth, and even better to call out, "OK to come by?" or something - horses don't understand what a bike is, but they do understand a voice and are reassured by it.

Definitely a good idea. My old dobbin was bomb proof with tractors, lorries, fast cars and the slow moving mountain bike that the ex-boyfriend used to ride, but faster-moving road-bikes used to freak him out. I think the wheels emit a whirring noise that horses can hear and we can't - he used to panic before the bikes came into view but was ok once he could see them.

 

[dellzeqq]

Definitely a good idea. My old dobbin was bomb proof with tractors, lorries, fast cars and the slow moving mountain bike that the ex-boyfriend used to ride, but faster-moving road-bikes used to freak him out. I think the wheels emit a whirring noise that horses can hear and we can't - he used to panic before the bikes came into view but was ok once he could see them.

I'm sure you're right. The smart thing to do is to slow down and ask to be waved through.

Having said that I did once pass a horse after having been waved through and the thing bolted after me. Sir Chris Hoy couldn't have put more speed on!

 

[sadjack]

I passed a few horses yesterday on my ride, more than usual but I was on very quiet, muddy, country lanes.

It never ceases to amaze me how a horse can pick up your approach much sooner than the rider. First the ears start moving around and many times the horse tries to look back. On one occasion the rider stopped and turned to look at us and said with a cheery smile that she wondered what was spooking her horse and appreciated my speaking out.

I am amazed that anyone would want to speed past such an animal on a country road, they are so unpredictable and the risk to the rider and not least to yourself is high by doing so, self preservation means I slow down and call out

Its very sad when anyone gets hurt never mind killed by morons that consider no-one but themselves.

I agree that all vulnerable road users should join together to help stop the carnage on our roads. Riders (horse and cycle) unite

 

[dand_uk]

Riders (horse and cycle) unite

+1