Abuse when out hacking

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Maisiemare82

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Hi, just wondering how people many other people get verbally abused when hacking out on roads! I took my youngster out to try and get her used to traffic today and on a stretch of road in my village that's a 30mph limit I was shouted at and told to get on the path, told to f**k off and had a land rover rev his engine and fly past close enough for me to be able to almost touch the car. Can't believe how rude, impatient and inconsiderate people are nowadays!
 
I have had a couple of people give me abuse, (the worst one actually has horses herself) but in general people around me are fine.
 
Over the years I’ve had a few people shout “you should be riding on bridlepaths” - they fail to understand that to access the bridlepaths, you sometimes have to go on the roads. Nothing more than that though to be honest.
 
I consider myself lucky only really had one nasty encounter where got a good lecture etc etc.
Most people round my way seem ok. Although was disgusted at the weekend as took my niece out on her Shetland pony for a toddle down the road and there was one car that didn't slow, despite me asking them to, they were clearly oblivious to the dot of a child on a pony. Everyone else was wonderful though and I think were even more careful as they saw she was a small child, we got lots of waves actually, perhaps she's a secret weapon to getting people to pass wide and slow!
 
At my previous yard you’d get terrible abuse out hacking, shouting, revving, squeezing past as unable to wait 2 seconds. Its crap isn't it, do feel for you.
I don’t regret moving yards as rarely ever experience anything negative anymore, although I try and get to a lay-by or pull over as soon as possible and always say thank you to every driver.

Rode with a friend Sunday, part of the hack involves a busy road. Every single driver was courteous, smiling and generally looked happy to see some horses on the road, even when there was no lay-by and they had to wait. We were full of smiles and thank yous in return. Said friend was surprised I either nod or try and put my hand up to every driver but I do really think it leaves a good impression.
 
lottiepony said:
I consider myself lucky only really had one nasty encounter where got a good lecture etc etc.
Most people round my way seem ok. Although was disgusted at the weekend as took my niece out on her Shetland pony for a toddle down the road and there was one car that didn't slow, despite me asking them to, they were clearly oblivious to the dot of a child on a pony. Everyone else was wonderful though and I think were even more careful as they saw she was a small child, we got lots of waves actually, perhaps she's a secret weapon to getting people to pass wide and slow!
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It seems to be my village, its certainly the worst for abuse and inconsiderate drivers compared to other places I have ridden. That's great that most people drove sensibly when out with your niece. I always worry more when I take my young daughter out, luckily her pony is fantastic with traffic.
 
ForbiddenHorse said:
At my previous yard you’d get terrible abuse out hacking, shouting, revving, squeezing past as unable to wait 2 seconds. Its crap isn't it. I don’t regret moving yards as rarely ever experience anything negative anymore, although I try and get to a lay-by or pull over as soon as possible and always say thank you to every driver.

Rode with a friend Sunday, part of the hack involves a busy road. Every single driver was courteous, smiling and generally looked happy to see some horses on the road, even when there was no lay-by and they had to wait. We were full of smiles and thank yous in return. Said friend was surprised I either nod or try and put my hand up to every driver but I do really think it leaves a good impression.
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I'm the same with people that slow down and past wide, I probably go a bit over the top with my thank yous! Lol. I always pull off the road if I can but not always possible straight away, people just can't want a few seconds, its quite scary when you know someone is behind and almost up your backside trying to get past! Unfortunately where I live they don't provide us with many off road paths so have to use the roads to go anywhere!
 
Maisiemare82 said:
My village seems to be the worst! I do have a camera that I use with a chest strap so might see if I can attach to my helmet to get a better picture.
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I would definitely go for a hat cam, that will follow where you look, theres little point in having a bodycam if what you need to record is happening alongside you or otherwise out of the camera arc
 
I haven’t had any bother for years until Sunday! A lady shouted at me as horse decided to take a cr*p in the road outside her house. Not on the path or her drive. (Think pooing on the road has been mentioned in another thread) she was emptying her boot or something as we were going past on way out.
On the return journey, car comes behind us on a straight road, it’s single carriage way and she’s seen us but not slowing at all. I very clearly put my hand out as couldn’t see what was coming on the corner towards us.
She (shouty poo lady) comes to a slower speed directly behind but is crawling VERY close to me. Horse is getting a bit upset at that and starts paddling about.
She winds window down and shouts something as she accelerated away dramatically. I don’t know what she said but doubt it was ey up love.
I thanked her for slowing down anyway.

It’s hardly the worst thing that’s happened but I felt awful for making her feel that riled up. It just fuels animosity between motorists and riders :(
 
abarnes said:
I haven’t had any bother for years until Sunday! A lady shouted at me as horse decided to take a cr*p in the road outside her house. Not on the path or her drive. (Think pooing on the road has been mentioned in another thread) she was emptying her boot or something as we were going past on way out.
On the return journey, car comes behind us on a straight road, it’s single carriage way and she’s seen us but not slowing at all. I very clearly put my hand out as couldn’t see what was coming on the corner towards us.
She (shouty poo lady) comes to a slower speed directly behind but is crawling VERY close to me. Horse is getting a bit upset at that and starts paddling about.
She winds window down and shouts something as she accelerated away dramatically. I don’t know what she said but doubt it was ey up love.
I thanked her for slowing down anyway.

It’s hardly the worst thing that’s happened but I felt awful for making her feel that riled up. It just fuels animosity between motorists and riders :(
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Poo on the road is a whole other issue where I live. It's even been mentioned in the village magazine.. (In the same section as dog poo) as people have been moaning. They seem to expect us to walk round afterwards with a wheelbarrow and scoop! (not going to happen though!)

I do wonder if motorist even think what could happen when they rev, speed or get too close..... I'm sure it would be 'our fault' though for being on the road!
 
abarnes said:
I haven’t had any bother for years until Sunday! A lady shouted at me as horse decided to take a cr*p in the road outside her house. Not on the path or her drive. (Think pooing on the road has been mentioned in another thread) she was emptying her boot or something as we were going past on way out.
On the return journey, car comes behind us on a straight road, it’s single carriage way and she’s seen us but not slowing at all. I very clearly put my hand out as couldn’t see what was coming on the corner towards us.
She (shouty poo lady) comes to a slower speed directly behind but is crawling VERY close to me. Horse is getting a bit upset at that and starts paddling about.
She winds window down and shouts something as she accelerated away dramatically. I don’t know what she said but doubt it was ey up love.
I thanked her for slowing down anyway.

It’s hardly the worst thing that’s happened but I felt awful for making her feel that riled up. It just fuels animosity between motorists and riders :(
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You shouldn't feel bad though, we have as much right as cars to be on the road. I know how you feel though, I'm not the most confident person so to be shouted at does get to me!
 
Maisiemare82 said:
Poo on the road is a whole other issue where I live. It's even been mentioned in the village magazine.. (In the same section as dog poo) as people have been moaning. They seem to expect us to walk round afterwards with a wheelbarrow and scoop! (not going to happen though!)

I do wonder if motorist even think what could happen when they rev, speed or get too close..... I'm sure it would be 'our fault' though for being on the road!
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Yes the issue of poo sometimes comes up on the village fb page. Some people seem to think we choose to ride on the roads. It’s often pointed out that if fields don’t have horses in them they’d probably have houses. People also assume we can just ride on any old field we find. If only!
 
Unfortunately it happens way more than I'd like. Literally the other day some bloke stopped his car opposite me on a tiny road nearly squashing my horse to have a go that I didn't say thanks. Even weirder because I had actually put my hand up to him to thank him when he first went past?! A lot of drivers in my area seem very antagonistic and think I want to hear their opinion for some reason. Its got to the point now where if I see a car pull over in front of me or wind their window down I will turn and trot off in the opposite direction. I don't trust people at all on the roads now after so many bad experiences. I have no desire to get into any road rage row with someone especially off the back of my horse.
 
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Had a bit of grief through the village when a group of us walked through section with parked cars everywhere. Person in car waiting yelled why didn’t trot through, couple horses on rehab so only allowed to walk. They were held up a minute if that. On my own I always try anticipate by stopping to allow cars to pass parked cars or pulling into passing spaces but some people just oblivious tbh and still come close. Fortunately both mine v good with traffic
 
My daughter (adult, not child) was riding once when an irate woman in a mini tore past her, so close she hit my daughters foot & stirrup. Luckily the horse was totally unfazed.
We have had people stop to compliment us on the horses which is lovely & someone once asked to take a photo when we rode out at xmas with a suitably festive exercise sheet.
 
I had a car beep its horn on Tuesday, when alongside a large young shire horse who was being led in hand. I got its number and the police are aware.
 
While hacking never. It someone winds their window down it is always for directions to the local pub. Sat nav takes people somewhere else so people struggle to find it.

Once had someone get a bit arsey and refuse to reverse while on my friends carriage.

Have had abuse (murdering scum etc) shouted while on the road whilst hunting with the bloodhounds a couple of times.
 
The Police have a new initiative called 'Safe Pass' which would be ideal for your village. They will fit a couple of riders with a camera and microphone parking a police car beyond their line of travel and if a driver is inconsiderate to you you tell them over the microphone and they will stop the driver concerned and offer them some safe driving tips. If the driver is abusive then they give them a fine or points.
www.bhs.org.uk/our-charity/press-centre/news/2018/may/the-british-horse-society-and-merseyside-police-educate-drivers-to-pass-horses-safely
 
Around our way it seems to be the women drivers who are the most impatient and don't slow down enough. The men are much politer - and no, I'm not a young fit girl (dumpy woman in her 50s!)
 
So very lucky where we live. I do go out of my way to pull in / kick on / give way to make as little nuisance of myself as possible but of course I do hold people up all the time, and it's lovely that people are nice about it.
Only today I had to make a car reverse about 70 yards back up a lane as poor luck had them meet us (driven pony) on a narrow single track lane with no verge or passing spaces at all. The lady reversed right away and grinned and waved as we passed. She had a little boy beside her who was obviously happy to see us.

We have had abuse of course, but only a handful of times in 20 years... and one of those I was trying a tandem, which wasn't going well, and I probably deserved it :)
 
asmp said:
Around our way it seems to be the women drivers who are the most impatient and don't slow down enough. The men are much politer - and no, I'm not a young fit girl (dumpy woman in her 50s!)
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I find women are quite bad, I think big lorry drivers are the best. I've had them stop when they see me, if coming towards me, turn off their engine and not start again till I'm quite a way past. People seem to think because it's a 30 limit they don't need to slow down!
 
Good here. We get a lot of bikes who have improved greatly always call out. Lane is too narrow in places for passing so we either wait for any cars and then jog on to the end of narrow bit to gates. Never been shouted at on the road only time was on a steep track going onto the Downs we were walking horses up when a tandem shot round the corner front person took exception to being told to go steady said the dear old cob in front was dangerous and really threw his toys out of the pram until his wife got off and told him off in no uncertain manner.
 
There is a Facebook page called Pass Wide and Slow and there is much information on there. More and more people are buying cameras and in some areas Police are very good at following up when abuse or dangerous driving is involved. The only thing is that if you get a recording don't put it on Facebook, tell the Police. Also people make a point of emailing firms when their drivers have been GOOD and considerate as well as bad!

Personally, I find local drivers are OK (will probably go out this weekend and have an "incident>")
 
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