abuse from driver for riding side by side

Yes, all the time - when a car approaches we will go into single file - when it passes, we got back into being side by side.
 
Yes you can. It's cyclists who can't (just do!! grr!)

But I don't do it as matter of course. I only do it if there's a reason for doing it (young horse, needing a lead etc). I will down an open straight country lane and then drop back to single file if I see a car.
 
Yes, its fine. The traffic has to respect you more and the inside less experienced horse/rider can be shielded from the traffic. Its perfectly legal, the police do it and two horses abreast is no wider than a large vehicle. I wish more people would do it as a matter of course so the vehicle drivers learn to put up with it more.
 
It really annoys me when cyclists do this! I would also be a tad annoyed if the two horse riders didn't fall into single file. You could return to side by side after, just consideration for other road users I think :)
 
Depends who I am out with. If they are matched in pace, I will go side by side but drop back to single file if a car comes.

If I am with a faster paced animal, I trundle along behind :).
 
2 abreast but then single file usually to let cars past. However if horse is young/naughty/spooky then I would stay 2 abreast to pin it on the inside. I also think side by side makes drivers pass you slower, and wider. Apart from the idiot I saw the other day revving his engine while inside horse was rearing, and trying to come past it. I was going the other way, overtook slowly, and right across the white line blocking him from speeding past. River v happy, car driver not so much
 
I always ride two abreast and remain two abreast when cars pass, unless we are on a narrow road and helping the car get past us. I do rememebr a couple of years back signing a petition against the goverment in its uncomming release of a new edition of the highway code changing it so we were not allowed to ride two abreast. The petition was upheld and the rule remains.
 
when out on the roads, if in company i ride two abreast mainly because the roads we have to go down either are really bendy roads with blind corners so if there are two of us next to each other, we may be seen sooner, or if i go out with one of my friends to the beach her horse has to be boxed in between the pavement and taz as he is petrified of busses lol
 
I ride side by side and when a car approaches drop into single file. For me personally i think this is a curteous way of riding on the roads, i myself have been stuck behind riders that ride side by side (even on narrow roads) and dont move when you approach, i can see how drivers get peed off TBH. Its not so bad on the oncoming side but when a car aproaches from behind its just polite to let them past easily making it safer for both the riders and the driver.

I have known alot of people refer to driving horses in this case as well, but a pair of driven horses is different in the case that they simply cant move into single file.
 
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Riding two abreast is legal but I think for courtesy and good relations with car drivers riders should use some common sense and drop to single file where appropriate.

For example where it would make it very difficult for the car to pass or leave little roon if you stay two abreast.

At the end of the day it is more unsettling if a car creeps along behind you for ages and the driver is more likely to get frustrated and accelerate away noisily so it is in your best interests to allow the car to pass as quickly and safely as possible. Therefore whenever possible I pull over to let them pass, trot to a stretch where there is better visibility, or drop to single file.
 
Yes you can but most drives think its not aloud and do have a go at people. I ride and led sometimes with my youngster so she can get out and see things (she is very good on roads) plus helps get her huge tummy off her. Funny thing is when people see me ride and led they really move over and keep away - guess see the size of 2 highland bums in scary for them! But when im hacking with others always get abuse if we arent in single file.
 
Flame_ said:
Yes, its fine. The traffic has to respect you more and the inside less experienced horse/rider can be shielded from the traffic. Its perfectly legal, the police do it and two horses abreast is no wider than a large vehicle. I wish more people would do it as a matter of course so the vehicle drivers learn to put up with it more.
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used to do the same when either myself or one of the other girls was riding a youngster xx
 
i have issues with riders who ride side by side on narrow country lanes and refuse to go into single file when theres no room to pass.....

i dont go on the roads nowadays as theres too many nutters.
 
To the riders that go single file whenever they see a car coming... Don't you think you might be making life difficult for people who have to ride two abreast in traffic due to a young horse/traffic shy horse/inexperienced rider. If car drivers see it as the norm for riders to dive out of the way when they see them approaching this makes them all the more impatient with the people who can't.

IMO if the road isn't wide enough to safely pass two horses side by side, it really isn't wide enough to be squeezing past horses single file either and the car should wait until the horses reach a wider stretch or passing place.
 
Flame_ said:
Yes, its fine. The traffic has to respect you more and the inside less experienced horse/rider can be shielded from the traffic. Its perfectly legal, the police do it and two horses abreast is no wider than a large vehicle. I wish more people would do it as a matter of course so the vehicle drivers learn to put up with it more.
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Totally agree!!! Most cars don'trespect horses and just speed past, two abreast makes them slow down, however would not ride two abreast on narrow roads.
 
Agree with Flame_.
I mostly hack on my own, but tend to ride in the middle of my side of the road, so to speak. I only move to the verge after a car slows down - if you just get out of the way pronto, it encourages drivers to just wheez past.
 
Even if you don't want to go single file due to a young or traffic shy horse I still think you should make it an easy as possible for drivers to pass safely, otherwise they may take a risk and pass stupidly.

I think that most drivers as long as they can see you know they are there and are trying to be considerate aren't too bad. The problem is that often riding two abreast looks like you are blocking the road so you can have a chat.

The most important thing is to turn round and look it the car so it knows you know it is there. Then I think you should try to make life easy for the car once it has slowed down, either by dropping into single file, or one horse going onto the verge or trotting to a wider section. Then of course thanking them when they pass.

I don't think cars mind too much on big wide busy roads as they can pass easily.

Do keep an eye out for the solid white centre line that means no overtaking, technically a car shouldn't cross that, so don't frustrate the driver by riding two abreast where these are without moving over periodically to let cars pass. I see this a lot with cyclists, on the A-road near me that is no overtaking on a lot of sections.
 
martlin said:
Agree with Flame_.
I mostly hack on my own, but tend to ride in the middle of my side of the road, so to speak. I only move to the verge after a car slows down - if you just get out of the way pronto, it encourages drivers to just wheez past.
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That is it, it is moving over once the car has slowed, riding two abreast encourages the cars to slow in the first place.
 
Where there is clear visibility and it is a wide road then I have got no problem with people riding 2 abreast if the inside horse is a youngster, however round corners and narrow lanes I think it is exposing one-self and ones horse to too much danger. Horses move far slower than cars, motorbikes and cyclists and that is where some of the danger is. Other road users are not used to horses on the roads anymore and unfortunately horse riders are the vunerable road users. I would always suggest riding defensively.
 
I have to with my daughter and her NF as she can be a bit unpredictable, not very often but she was in a bad accident many many years ago which resulted in her being flipping over a car into on coming traffic, we have come a long way with her but I don't like to take any chances. We only do it on main roads and she is happy enough on the country lanes as long as I am in front and my other daughter rides our other pony behind her.
 
Katt said:
Even if you don't want to go single file due to a young or traffic shy horse I still think you should make it an easy as possible for drivers to pass safely, otherwise they may take a risk and pass stupidly.

I think that most drivers as long as they can see you know they are there and are trying to be considerate aren't too bad. The problem is that often riding two abreast looks like you are blocking the road so you can have a chat.

The most important thing is to turn round and look it the car so it knows you know it is there. Then I think you should try to make life easy for the car once it has slowed down, either by dropping into single file, or one horse going onto the verge or trotting to a wider section. Then of course thanking them when they pass.
I don't think cars mind too much on big wide busy roads as they can pass easily.

Do keep an eye out for the solid white centre line that means no overtaking, technically a car shouldn't cross that, so don't frustrate the driver by riding two abreast where these are without moving over periodically to let cars pass. I see this a lot with cyclists, on the A-road near me that is no overtaking on a lot of sections.
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What a breath of fresh air! If all riders on the road follow that advice - especially the bits I've put in bold - then the horse rider/car driver relationship would improve immensely.

I get highly irritated to make an effort to pass horses and riders slow and wide, only to get no acknowledgement whatsoever. Some even appear to actively look away rather than make any attempt to make eye contact.

If other horse riders get annoyed, no wonder the general driver gets upset.
 
Most people are spot on here. Courtesy and common sense should rule. As someone pointed out, if we block cars behind, and don't allow them to pass, then they will just cut you up and race past when they can - so nothing is gained. I once got stuck behind a pair of cyclists for FIVE miles, who refused to let cars pass, and even though I used to cycle, whenever I see a pair of cyclists I think "must get past them ASAP... So by blocking them you're encouraging bad behaviour.

Occasionally you may ride in pairs due to young horses or riders, but generally, should we be on busy roads if we're that worried? Personally I avoid big roads like the plague, but we are spoilt with great hacking here.


Another issue I have is that so many riders don't say thanks after I have crawled slowly and wide to pass them safely. Even if you can't take your hands off the reins you can always make eye contact and smile or nod. Then they drive off thinking we are nice, not stuck up little madams. I treat drivers as I like to be treated when I'm driving.
 
I occasionally ride side by side but always change to single file for traffic to pass unless riding with a difficult or young horse. However said horse's rider will always have a tabbard stating young horse etc and I hope that drivers are able to respect this - either that or said horse is likely to sit on their bonnet!
 
I ride two abreast on the road If I ever go on the road which isn't often... If car drivers don't like it ... I dont care! It's legal and It's safer for everyone as my hose isn't the best on road... If I get abused then I tell them to poke it :D
 
Caz89 said:
I ride two abreast on the road If I ever go on the road which isn't often... If car drivers don't like it ... I dont care! It's legal and It's safer for everyone as my hose isn't the best on road... If I get abused then I tell them to poke it :D
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And thats why the rest of get abuse too!
 
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