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

[caterpillar]

Couldn't agree with this post more

Agree, chestnut cob's post was spot on.

 

[Shantara]

I think people should be able to carry on what they're doing, so long as it's being done safely and legally.
There's a horse at my stables who really doesn't like things out of the ordinary. He is fine with bikes, cars, lorries, walkers and all sorts. He had a massive melt down when a lovely cyclist dismounted and stepped behind a sign. There would have been no problem had he kept going and we told him so in a polite manner "Sorry sir, could you just step out from behind the sign? We're really thankful you stopped, but he thinks you might jump out at him" The cyclist stepped out and said something, the horse stopped, looked at him, reaslied it was a human and kept going. We thanked the cyclist again and carried on.
There was no argument, no raised voices, horse was a little worried, but over all fine.
Had he not come out from behind the sign, I (or the horses rider, I was not on the horse) would have kicked the horse on anyway and got him past. Had he decided to argue or taken offence, we would have either just kept going or replied politely.

That said, had the horse been scared of something else and been throwing a proper strop in the middle of the road, I would have appreciated it if he had either stopped and waited, or, passed us at a safe distance where he wouldn't get kicked or run into.

I have seen someone laying down in long grass on a well sign posted bridleway. Luckily I had seen him as I usually canter along that stretch. Horse did a small spook, but kept going. I told the man it probably wasn't a good idea to have a nap here, as it is used by lots of riders and he might get stepped on! I told him there was a nice, quiet green not far away if he wanted to have a peaceful nap.

I think it's all about being polite and if they're not aware of horse behaviour, tell them! Don't shout, don't tell them they're stupid or ignorant and try to stay as cheerful as possible.

One last point: As well trained as I want my horse/s to be, I wouldn't expect them to stand still during a dog attack. There's a big difference between a dog playing and a dog attacking.

 

[Mypinkpony]

I think yes you are very right on everything you have said and most people don't understand horses at all, which is 100% understandable if they have never been near them. They do need politly asking/explaining and hopefully will be very willing to help, some wont but as long as they don't go out of their way to be awkward that that should be no issue either, its a walk on situation

Although i still stick to my point if i ask someone not to spin their bike up in front of horses and he tells me S*it happens....he prob isn't interested in becoming aware of horse behaviour

 

[stencilface]

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.

This is interesting. I stopped and talked to a guy shooting rabbits who was dressed in ull camo gear. My horse was fine until he moved, then he was terrified - he obviously hadn't seen the guy standing within 5m of us - I've no idea who he thought I was talking to

Then again, mine has now taken to coming to a standstill when he realises I'm texting (on paths, not the road) the little blighter!

 

[Shantara]

I think yes you are very right on everything you have said and most people don't understand horses at all, which is 100% understandable if they have never been near them. They do need politly asking/explaining and hopefully will be very willing to help, some wont but as long as they don't go out of their way to be awkward that that should be no issue either, its a walk on situation

Although i still stick to my point if i ask someone not to spin their bike up in front of horses and he tells me S*it happens....he prob isn't interested in becoming aware of horse behaviour

Ooh, of course there are going to be some stupid and ignorant people around. Such as the man who shouted "Keep your stupid cow in a field and off MY road!!" I wasn't even on the road! I was on a footpath which we've been given permission to ride on!
The amount of times I have wanted to shout at someone, because it seems so obvious to me, but to someone who doesn't ride or know horses it may seem ridiculous. I tend to treat everyone as though they have no idea (obviously I try not to patronise!).

 

[chestnut cob]

One last point: As well trained as I want my horse/s to be, I wouldn't expect them to stand still during a dog attack. There's a big difference between a dog playing and a dog attacking.

Yes, agree with this. Have to say although my horse is very good with dogs I know for a fact that if one ran over that was aggressive or attacked him, the dog probably wouldn't come out on top! I fully expect my horse to behave around dogs - he stands like a statue when hounds run under his belly - but if he was attacked or approached by a nasty/aggressive dog then TBH I think he'd be well within his rights to kick out.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I think that goes without saying.

However the amount of complaining you hear from people who clearly haven't been attacked in any way,shape or form. Merely chased by an exuberant dog. Makes me wonder how these animals and riders would cope on the hunting field? Probably not very well

 

[chestnut cob]

However the amount of complaining you hear from people who clearly haven't been attacked in any way,shape or form. Merely chased by an exuberant dog. Makes me wonder how these animals and riders would cope on the hunting field? Probably not very well

They are the same riders who think the world should stop for them because they want to hack (at a snail's pace, usually) down the road totally oblivious to everything else going on. The world does not revolve around horse riders and it makes me mad when some (not all!) riders assume it does.

IMHO it's about teaching your horse what is and isn't acceptable. Make it your business to ensure your horse is OK with dogs, bikes, cars, whatever.

 

[Lucyad]

My horse is great around dogs and hounds, and I am quite happy for other dogs to stay off the lead when we pass on hacks - after all I usually have my dog with me and it is easier for me to let her go and sniff / play with the other loose dog than heel her! (which I can do - tuck her in beside the horse). If owners say that they are scared what their dog will do, or if the dog barks, i often suggest that they might like to show the dog my horse and let them have a sniff. The next time we meet the dog it usually is fine!

I wouldn't dream of asking bikes to stop, especially if in a big group as are often racing. I get out of the way into the side so they can pass without slowing down. I do like it if they shout or ring their bells though - as I can get quite a fright if they approach quietly (horse is usually fine).

My horse is spooky idiot about some things - tractors, skips, random treestumps and rocks (?!), but again I don't expect others to get out of the way - I wait until the way is clear for me to let him go sideways / backwards, whatever is required to get past. I do like it when tractors slow right down for me, mind you, but always thank them profusely.

 

[CobSunshine]

Ooh, of course there are going to be some stupid and ignorant people around. Such as the man who shouted "Keep your stupid cow in a field and off MY road!!" I wasn't even on the road! I was on a footpath which we've been given permission to ride on!
The amount of times I have wanted to shout at someone, because it seems so obvious to me, but to someone who doesn't ride or know horses it may seem ridiculous. I tend to treat everyone as though they have no idea (obviously I try not to patronise!).

COW LOL!


So if my pony is fine around dogs running through his legs, barking, approaching from in front and behind, doesnt blink an eyelid - how then do I bomb proof against a biting legs dog? Its not exactly something you can expose him to like Mr stick (bag on a stick LOL loved that, as mentioned earlier in this thread)

 

[touchstone]

COW LOL!


So if my pony is fine around dogs running through his legs, barking, approaching from in front and behind, doesnt blink an eyelid - how then do I bomb proof against a biting legs dog? Its not exactly something you can expose him to like Mr stick (bag on a stick LOL loved that, as mentioned earlier in this thread)

I wouldn't want my pony bombproofed against a dog that bit. They have to be able to defend themselves.

My mare will allow dogs to swing off her tail, and only raise a hindleg in protest.

I wish that she was more aggressive towards them, but she understands that they aren't to be hurt and after once standing on my old dog's paw accidently when in the stable she won't go in if a dog is in there and waits until they're out.

I also think that it is the riders responsibility to ensure that their horse is as bombproof as possible and that the standard of riding is up to scratch, because in this day and age the towns are encroaching further and further into the countryside, meaning that all prow users have to share compatably and there are far more hazards to encounter when out and about.

 

[SonnysHumanSlave]

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.

Have read most of replies, not every single one though.

Have to say this is the post I most agree with.
I have never had an issue with anything out hacking. :/
Even had an ambulance come past at about 60 lights on and all, asked it to slow but it actually sped up.... horse didnt bat an eyelid.
He tends to look at only old ladies pushing them suspicious shopping trolley things.
But thats all he does.
However if he does look at something I always say out loud, "look the other way" and look in the opposite direction which stops him looking.
Never had a problem with dogs etc.... I expect him to ignore all dogs out hacking barking or otherwise.
I would say my horse is totally bombproof.
If he wasnt, he wouldnt get hacked out, unless it was with a horse that is.

We dont own the bridleways and its all about sharing.

About the dog biting..... I would whack it with the schooling whip!

 

[Deseado]

Is it any wonder that other road/path users are less than well disposed towards horses? As some people have pointed out, hardly any member of the general public understands horses these days - why would they? They've never had anything to do with them. And part of the reason that people don't slow down/stop cycling/control their dogs/etc. is that they have no concept of what could happen, nor that riders may possibly be in trouble and could fall off and injure themselves, they assume you are in control (ha!).

 

[JFTDWS]

So if my pony is fine around dogs running through his legs, barking, approaching from in front and behind, doesnt blink an eyelid - how then do I bomb proof against a biting legs dog? Its not exactly something you can expose him to like Mr stick (bag on a stick LOL loved that, as mentioned earlier in this thread)

IMO, it's not about bombproofing in that specific instant - it's about control - I would not expect my horses to be ok with being bitten, but I would also not expect myself to allow them to bolt away from it. They might attempt to turn and flee, but I expect to be able to stop them within a couple of strides (and I can, because they respect that being told to stop means stop and that it is not a request - it is a command). I would then trot in the original direction, ignoring the dog or assaulting it with a schooling whip to keep it off my horse's legs. If my horse wished to kick it (and I expect they would) I would allow them to do so if the dog were actually biting/snapping at it.

 

[Walrus]

What training would you expect these dog owners to undertake?

Do you help in any way when you meet dogs like this?

Haven't read the whole thread so apologies if I'm now well off topic. My pony is generally OK with dogs, although I imagine if a dog leapt out of the nearest bush at him barking and chasing he may well spook, and his reaction to things like that is to spin and try and leg it (he doesn't tend to get far usually bless him). He's been chased by a dog on the road and was fine as it was very open and he could see it coming, however, if it had rushed suddenly out I imagine it would be a different story. Much in the same way that the only times I've fallen off pony before are due to low flying kamakaze pheasents dive bombing us out of a nearby hedge!

But in response to everyone saying we should ensure our horses are dog proof - I ask the question above - how? I don't own a dog. Dog's are banned from our yard. The only dogs I see are the ones out hacking - which by then, according to the comments on here, I should have done my bombproofing.

The best I can do is ensure pony has adequate brakes and control and that I ride him confidently, but you also do rely on other people in the vicinity to be considerate as well

 

[Amaranta]

I must admit that there are a lot of mamby pamby riders about these days, I blame health and safety for a lot of it, but I suppose that is a whole other thread

I am a rider, a dog owner and a driver, as a rider I have been faced with over exuberant dogs wanting to play and also aggressive dogs, throwing themselves at my horses and trying to bite, I have never been bolted off with and usually find that a sharp word with the dog normally does the trick, our bridlepath is regular used by walkers and dirt bikes (illegally), I tell the dirt bikes they should not be there and am polite to the walkers who are normally very good anyway. I think that if YOU feel intimidated by other people going about their daily lives, then it is not surprising that your horse finds them scary too.

As a dog owner I have no problem recalling my dogs and they are never a problem.

As a driver, I always slow for horses but am rarely thanked and my absolute pet hate are those riders who amble along on the buckle two abreast chatting away making no attempt to let my car past, these riders annoy me, imagine how a non horsey driver feels. Those very same riders are probably the first to complain about 'inconsiderate' people on hacks.

 

[Littlelegs]

Walrus, its not about bombproofing your horse against everything it may ever meet, but having the ability to control the horse whatever you meet. For instance, I don't have access to a plane, but I certainly have the control to deal with one when i've met them. If I deal with a horse that has a problem with a specific thing, I go out of my way to introduce it in a safe environment

 

[4x4]

Just come back from a hack and read (most of) this post. My fault I know, horse not ridden since November (lameness) been told to take her out gentle hacking which I did with a friend yesterday, so deemed today safe to hack alone..so far I had a manic pony in a field galloping up and down the fence as I hacked past (manageable), pigeons (OK) hacked past playground and kids on skateboard ramp (fine), risked the road and had two cars creeping behind me up to the junction despite being waved on (boring). Up quiet lane a loose dog appeared from nowhere (no reaction), back down the main road, bus (no problem) back past skateboard ramp (kids in road now on scooters etc but ok) and back past manic pony in field. Met a fellow hacker on a nice plumpish horse who told me my horse was looking a bit poor, so I told her that I feed according to work etc and she'd been lame and so lost condition because of not working etc. She went her way and went mine thinking OK I'll up the feed now, that hack went well when suddenly 'whoosh' giant whip round and spin (luckily not on a road) at what? I could see nothing. Anyway, I decided to leave the other half of the ride (with the manic dogs and kids in gardens) for another day, so back to the OP no you are not the only one who has to contend with dodgy obstacles!!