Anyone else have to put up with inconsiderate people on the bridlepath?

All the grammar and fish talk lost me a bit :confused:

But....

On the original subject, we have a huge woods attached to our stables, in fact about 12 yards are attached at all separate points so it is filled with hackers constantly. Yesterday we were hacking through on 3 horses, one of us bareback (couldn't get into her tack shed) and the 2 with tack, we came across a bike of which my horse isn't keen on(in fact he hates everything spooky bugger) he did nothing but snort and stare walk past but the guy saw this and stopped for us, he had his girlfriend on horse behind him, we ALL said thank you and carried on....15 mins later (its a huge circle) he comes tearing up the hill in front of us got to about 2m from our horses, skidding sideways, spun the bike up and had the BRIGHT orange wheel spinning in the air. We all stayed on thankgod, just a few spins round :( I turned round to him and said 'would you mind not doing that round horses!' he response was...in a very cocky voice...
's*it happens':mad::mad::mad:
I was fuming shouting at him about us breaking our necks etc bla bla him shouting back being rude back... a few strides on was his mortified seeming shy girlfriend muttering sorry to me from her horse frozen to the spot. Poor girl i would had just cringed if my boyf ever did anything like that, esp knowing i have horses! My point being that why do people purposely try and freak horses, or just generally show no consideration...all they need to do is stop what they are doing for 10 secs and let us past. dogs on leads, bikes, kids whatever, maybe we are asking for more priorities than them but horses are unpredictable creatures, is it that much to ask....10 secs of someone’s time to save injuries? Cars have to give way, horseboxes tend to get some road consideration, is it too much to ask for that we do too for the safety of us, our horses and the public?:eek:
 
amymay pointed out that if a horse could - im sorry i cant remember the exact terminology used by dogcalleddill in her op- 'run for the hills when scared' could not be described as 'bombproof' which is a fair enough point and not one i would pick up on a sarcastic or rude.

dogcalledill reacted defensively and unfairly to what she took as an attack then immediately went on to attack others as a group for being illiterate and 'savaging' novice horse owners.
In essence doing what she was accusing amymay of doing - attacking people.

*shakes head*

some time i think this board is full of mad hatters :D
 
The world doesn't stop for horse riders unfortunately, Mypinkpony. And I guess the sooner the majority realise that, the better off we will all be.
 
My bridleway hacks are pretty boring compared to most people I guess. I often see people without hats, but I never think any more of it once we've exchanged "hello's" and passed each other.
I often get chased by dogs. They usually stop when I stop and tell them to "get and cwtch" in a mean voice. I don't generally tend to give them a moments extra thought either.
Walkers walk their dogs past nicely, or they don't. Still, if my horse misbehaves its usually because it's misbehaving and not anyone elses fault but mine or sometimes hers (for which she gets duly chastised)
The most exciting and rant worthy thing that's ever happened on a hack was a loose pony :D (fun) and a flasher (not so fun)

In short, I think it's all about your mindset, perhaps those who find hacking such a terrifying fraught experience, are the fraught type anyway? Who knows, anyway, I haven't read all posts as it seems the post has gone haywire, but just wanted to add my answer to OP.
 
..'Cars have to give way, horseboxes tend to get some road consideration,..'


Not when im driving them they certainly dont. ive been over taken on A roads by fools who think nothing of speeding round a blind corner just so they dont have to get stuck behind me.
Being forced to brake suddenly by vehicles that wont let you out at r/bouts.


Consideration? Im afraid not.
 
amymay said:
The world doesn't stop for horse riders unfortunately, Mypinkpony. And I guess the sooner the majority realise that, the better off we will all be.
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No i guess you are right, but they should not be trying to scare them on purpose either :mad:

Next time i think i will charge up to the little g*t on his bike and pull and kick till my horse rears on his head :p;):eek:
 
amymay, I am quite uphauled that some wally has called you sarcastic! I may not always agree with what you say (well, I pretty much do always agree but that is by the by) but you are one of the few forum members who, IMHO, can be relied upon not to get into a mud slinging match. I have never, ever seen you post anything remotely snide or sarcastic. How rude :eek:

Sorry, I had to say. I was genuinely quite shocked to see that. That JFTD one on the other hand, nothing but trouble :D
 
BoolavogueDC said:
The most exciting ... thing that's ever happened on a hack was ... a flasher (not so fun)
...
I think it's all about your mindset.
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Definitely about your mindset :D I would find a flasher greatly amusing - would liven up my hacking! Mind you, can't guarentee J wouldn't stop for a snack :cool:

(I agree with everything you said in your post before I mutilated it though!)
 
Mypinkpony said:
Next time i think i will charge up to the little g*t on his bike and pull and kick till my horse rears on his head :p;):eek:
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I'll lend you Fergs. No pulling or kicking required - just stick your legs in front of the girth and squeeze :D

jesstickle said:
That JFTD one on the other hand, nothing but trouble :D
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Oh yes, I'm always sarcastic, sometimes rude, sometimes wrong and sometimes I grab hold of the wrong end of the stick. However, I do pride myself on having a reasonable grasp of the English language and I do object to that poster's comments on that score :cool:

(bet there's a typo in that ^)
 
RE horses and dogs.

At our old yard a footpath ran on the other side of the hedge to the horse's field. The hedge was dense and had no gaping holes. Occasionally we found people with their dogs loose on the footpath had allowed their (usually smaller) dogs push through the undergrowth into our horse's field. Complaining or politely asking owners to get their dogs back under control and off the private land usually got a torrent of abuse from said owners.

One day I arrived to find a terrier type dog in the field chasing my daughter's and my mother's ponies. It had torn open my daughter's 12.2hh welsh pony's back leg. The damage was horrific. Until then our 2 ponies and were fine with dogs. The pony was never ok with dogs after that. My daughter was only 7 at the time and luckily still being led from me on the ground when on the lanes, but even when I tried to explain to dog owners who let their animals fly at her on the lanes, I got no pity. Neither did they care that they could see the situation was making it difficult for my child to stay on board! Sadly the pony has since been put to sleep for other reasons. My daughter's new pony has never had to endure such an attack so is good with dogs. My mother's pony who was in the field when my daughter's pony was attacked is fine with dogs kept under control, but if a loose one runs at her she will panic and try and ditch her rider and bolt.

My horse is fine with dogs, but funnily as he is 16.3 and TB, and unhorsey people tend to be far more respectful of him and actively shield their dogs from him. Ironic as he is the one who is fine, but irritating that they find it ok to allow their dogs to terrorise ponies :(

Makes me soooo angry. I am a dog owner too and really believe both riders and dog walkers only need to show each other a little respect and good will to avoid accidents!!!!!!!!!!!! Our ponies were always fine with dogs until stupid owners allowed a situation to occur with dreadful consequences. If only the few offending dog walkers could bring themselves to submit their precious dogs to 20 yards of the walk at heel, and if all riders were equally courteous with space and speed, I'm sure the world would be a better place.

Rant over :D
 
One day I arrived to find a terrier type dog in the field chasing my daughter's and my mother's ponies. It had torn open my daughter's 12.2hh welsh pony's back leg. The damage was horrific.
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Very sad, and just awful.
 
amymay said:
A very unfortunate member of the forum and society I'd say :mad::D:D:D
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More unfortunate for the rest of the forum and society, surely? :confused:

Christmas Pixie, horrible story - poor pony. There's no excuse for out of control dogs invading the horses' fields either :mad:
 
BoolavogueDC said:
In short, I think it's all about your mindset, perhaps those who find hacking such a terrifying fraught experience, are the fraught type anyway? Who knows, anyway, I haven't read all posts as it seems the post has gone haywire, but just wanted to add my answer to OP.
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Agree with this. We're lucky, we have miles and miles of bridleways around us but they go over all sorts of land... soon the cows will be back out which means inquisitive (to say the least!) little cows coming over to investigate. We have bridleways through woods, through sheep fields, through farmyards, across narrow wooden bridges, one around the edge of a lake with all sorts of potentially frightening things (apparently, fishermen are v scary, according to my horse). This is all without including many dog walkers, cyclists, ramblers, tractors and other horse riders, plus loads of bridleway gates to open and close.

You and your horse just have to get used to it! Mine was a bit wide eyed the first couple of times but maybe I am lucky with my horse. I couldn't care less about dogs running up to him, he's great with dogs. Has been known to try to chase cyclists (when he sees someone in the distance he always wants to catch up) but he really isn't bothered if 20 come whizzing past on the road. I should point out that he's by no means a donkey, ATM he's more or less hunting fit and v sharp so he does look at things and spook but I simply don't tolerate pi$$ing about on the roads or bridleways because a dog runs up to him or there are cyclists. I can honestly say (touch wood!) I've never had a problem with other bridleway or road users, bar the odd t*t in a white van who won't slow down but even that isn't really worth getting worked up about.

I also cycle and I think generally horse riders are a bit of a nightmare. A significant number of those I see when out cycling can barely control their horses the moment they do anything bar amble along zombie-like. Horse riders tend to think the countryside belongs to them - it doesn't. The sooner horse riders learn to get along with other road/bridleway users, the better. Also... just because it's a bridleway doesn't exclude other users I don't think? Just means that horses ARE allowed, whereas they're not allowed on a footpath. Learn to get along with other people out in the countryside... ask cyclists to slow down well in advance rather than just yelling at them. Most of them have no idea horses might spook - as them to speak to your horse, then they'll realise it's a person under all the lycra! Talk to dog walkers and ramblers. Say thank you when they stop, say hello when they don't.
 
I guess in all cases out and about, it is only a small minority who spoil things for everyone, and ultimately themselves. If we could all share the countryside and respect each other as most of us do, I'm sure everyone would get along ok in general and we could all enjoy our hobbies :)
 
ChristmasPixie said:
I guess in all cases out and about, it is only a small minority who spoil things for everyone, and ultimately themselves. If we could all share the countryside and respect each other as most of us do, I'm sure everyone would get along ok in general and we could all enjoy our hobbies :)
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ps all bike proof on our yard!!! :D lol
 
Clover is scared of bicycles, do I rant at cyclists? No, I rant at her - she's not stupid and I assume has never been the victim of a horrific bike attack :D so she really has no reason to fear the bicycle.
Also I rant at myself and take OH along on a bike to help. I'm sure by the time we start hacking again we'll have it nailed and if we don't, that's MY problem - not everyone elses. Sure, there are dangerous people who actually cause problems, but by and large these people are just trying to get on with what they are doing and unless they are being pointedly dangerous, I try to smile and let it go :)

Oh and if she ever dared to perform over dogs around her she'd get a right talking to :) she lives with dogs running along, behind, beneath her and no dog has ever hurt her so she's got no excuse!

Christmaspixie, I hope someone followed up with said dogs' owner?! Accidents can happen, but if that was my terrier doing that It'd have a foot up it's arse and you'd have your vets bill paid without asking!!
 
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amymay said:
The world doesn't stop for horse riders unfortunately, Mypinkpony. And I guess the sooner the majority realise that, the better off we will all be.
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That is the essense of the problem here, horses and riders need to be trained round here I see people walking about the roads with terrible weak positions stirrups far to long more often or not covered in hi zi , it's good to be seen but you have to take responsiblity for learning to control a startled horse.
A bridleway is a route that horses can use but the rider has responibity to ensure that as much as possible they can deal with the unexpected even if this is people doing inconsiderate things you can never take all risk out of dealings with horses or dogs or cars or step ladders etc etcbut you have a duty to be in a position to cope with most things.
 
chestnut cob said:
Learn to get along with other people out in the countryside... ask cyclists to slow down well in advance rather than just yelling at them. Most of them have no idea horses might spook - as them to speak to your horse, then they'll realise it's a person under all the lycra! Talk to dog walkers and ramblers. Say thank you when they stop, say hello when they don't.
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We all said thankyou on the first passing, we didn't ask him to stop my horse will walk past a moving bike and only eyeball but obv it's nice if they do stop and i'm always very grateful :)

What i won't tolerate and will make me yell is some t*at on a BMX jumping skidding and spinning his bike 2 metres from us....do you think that is acceptable?
 
Goldenstar said:
That is the essence of the problem here, horses and riders need to be trained round here I see people walking about the roads with terrible weak positions stirrups far to long more often or not covered in hi viz , it's good to be seen but you have to take responsibility for learning to control a startled horse.
A bridleway is a route that horses can use but the rider has responsibility to ensure that as much as possible they can deal with the unexpected even if this is people doing inconsiderate things you can never take all risk out of dealings with horses or dogs or cars or step ladders etc etc. but you have a duty to be in a position to cope with most things.
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I think you are absolutely spot on Goldenstar. And it seems that a lot of us hold the same logical views.

Now to change the mindset of the rest of the world. The challenge is a foot!
 
Perfect grammar and spelling is the equivalent of being able to ride a grandprix dressage test and get perfect 10's.
Dont think there is anyone on this forum that can manage either. :p

Spelling/grammer is there to allow us to communicate. It does not have to be perfect to achieve that goal. In the same way riding is about the ability to control a horse. It doesn't have to be perefct but it should be of a sufficient standard to deal with likely encounters.
 
chestnut cob said:
Agree with this. We're lucky, we have miles and miles of bridleways around us but they go over all sorts of land... soon the cows will be back out which means inquisitive (to say the least!) little cows coming over to investigate. We have bridleways through woods, through sheep fields, through farmyards, across narrow wooden bridges, one around the edge of a lake with all sorts of potentially frightening things (apparently, fishermen are v scary, according to my horse). This is all without including many dog walkers, cyclists, ramblers, tractors and other horse riders, plus loads of bridleway gates to open and close.

You and your horse just have to get used to it! Mine was a bit wide eyed the first couple of times but maybe I am lucky with my horse. I couldn't care less about dogs running up to him, he's great with dogs. Has been known to try to chase cyclists (when he sees someone in the distance he always wants to catch up) but he really isn't bothered if 20 come whizzing past on the road. I should point out that he's by no means a donkey, ATM he's more or less hunting fit and v sharp so he does look at things and spook but I simply don't tolerate pi$$ing about on the roads or bridleways because a dog runs up to him or there are cyclists. I can honestly say (touch wood!) I've never had a problem with other bridleway or road users, bar the odd t*t in a white van who won't slow down but even that isn't really worth getting worked up about.

I also cycle and I think generally horse riders are a bit of a nightmare. A significant number of those I see when out cycling can barely control their horses the moment they do anything bar amble along zombie-like. Horse riders tend to think the countryside belongs to them - it doesn't. The sooner horse riders learn to get along with other road/bridleway users, the better. Also... just because it's a bridleway doesn't exclude other users I don't think? Just means that horses ARE allowed, whereas they're not allowed on a footpath. Learn to get along with other people out in the countryside... ask cyclists to slow down well in advance rather than just yelling at them. Most of them have no idea horses might spook - as them to speak to your horse, then they'll realise it's a person under all the lycra! Talk to dog walkers and ramblers. Say thank you when they stop, say hello when they don't.
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Couldn't agree with this post more
 
BoolavogueDC said:
Clover is scared of bicycles, do I rant at cyclists? No, I rant at her - she's not stupid and I assume has never been the victim of a horrific bike attack :D so she really has no reason to fear the bicycle.
Also I rant at myself and take OH along on a bike to help. I'm sure by the time we start hacking again we'll have it nailed and if we don't, that's MY problem - not everyone elses. Sure, there are dangerous people who actually cause problems, but by and large these people are just trying to get on with what they are doing and unless they are being pointedly dangerous, I try to smile and let it go :)

Oh and if she ever dared to perform over dogs around her she'd get a right talking to :) she lives with dogs running along, behind, beneath her and no dog has ever hurt her so she's got no excuse!

Christmaspixie, I hope someone followed up with said dogs' owner?! Accidents can happen, but if that was my terrier doing that It'd have a foot up it's arse and you'd have your vets bill paid without asking!!
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Hi, Funnily enough the offending owners and their dog had disappeared by the time I had rescued the pony! They were never to be seen or heard of ever again:( I was advised by the famer who owned the land to tell the other people who allowed their dogs in the field that he woud shoot their dogs if he saw them loose on his land, but I guess that is a whole other arguement and his choice not mine :) - it was just a threat I think, I never heard of him taking shots at people's dogs!
 
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