Anyone keep their horse near a busy road?

[LankyDoodle]

Well, just that really. I have the opportunity to have my own private yard at my in-law's house, and I know my horse is very solid in traffic, but over the years the road outside the farm has progressed from dirt track to what is now the A38 Wellington relief road. There are lots of roadworks going on outside the farm, which include a small roundabout which will slow traffic down and mean a new 40 limit (cars don't go that slow throught he lanes we use now!).

I am not concerned about my horse's reaction as I know he can cope with even the largest vehicle (we were on holiday in Cornwall last year an a large lorry came through the lane, brushing the hedge to give us space as he hadn't seen us, and making a huge amount of noise, and George didn't blink!), but I know the road gets busy at certain times of day and has a constant traffic flow, some of which goes above speed limit, plus the farm is on a bend. I would have to go up the road about 30 metres to the other side of the bend, and then cross onto a lane which is a T road. At the end of that lane I would have to cross another road (which we do use now with the horses anyway as it helps us access better riding), but this road is wider, no bends and we cross at a roundabout with a stopping place in the middle. After crossing that road we would then be on country lanes and have access to the riding we do now, plus better access to other country lanes and rides we rarely get to now. It would mean being out longer and no shorter rides really, but that doesn't really matter a lot. Coming out of the farm I can ride along a grass bank rather than on the road, but it still worries me.

Where George came from he was on a busy road in Exeter and crossing that road gave access to nice lane rides as well. If I felt game I could also turn the other way out of the farm, go up through a business park (yuk!) and then cross another road and get to other lane riding, which opens up other villages and possibilities. All of this opens up more riding as it is more central, but it means crossing a busy road wherever I go!

Also, if you've installed your own menage and stable yard, how much have you had to spend in total? I am thinking more about this since the rubbish I've been having at current yard!

Thank you.

 

[1275gta]

We keep ours by the side of the dual carriage way and we either hack up through a busy town with HGV's and lots of cars or along a bridle path which runs alongside the dual cariage way onto some quiter roads. We don't have any issues appart from the odd idiot. All our youngsters go out in it from 3.

I am sure you will be fine just make sure you where plenty of hi viz.

I have seen an add somewhere recently, probably HH for menages from £15000

 

[oliviacharley]

My horses are grazed right next to a busy road as well...lots of big lorries and fast cars but as the field is next to a roundabout the traffic does have to slow down....As I come out of my field I do still have to ride along the pavement alongside this road for about 200 metres which does un-nerve me but my horse is really bombproof in traffic fortunately.
I think this might also be due to him being next to the road all the time.
I would say go for it....people are pretty good when they see a horse and slow down...Ive never had any problems and if I do I ride right into the hedge and along the grass bank which seem to work well for my horse who does not seem spooked by the traffic anyhow....
If your horse is sound in traffic I would say yep - grab it with both hands...sounds great....

 

[hallarider]

Yes, I keep mine on a very busy main road. Its not a problem at all. I myself hate big lorries but luckily my horse is very good. The traffic is excellent at slowing down. Some riders go onto the pavement but it doesn't slow the traffic down that way. I sometimes think riding on main roads is safer than country lanes, the way drivers belt round those bends....

I would definately go for it. If it means having your own place its got to be worth it.

 

[Donkeymad]

Mine are kept on the edge of the A30 which, as you have been to Cornwall, you will know is the main road into and through Cornwall. This road can be horrendous. The other side of the field is edged by a small but very very busy road with caravans, tractors etc flying along all the time. We have to come out onto this road to get anywhere. I think it has helped to ensure our lot are 100% in traffic.

 

[joeanne]

and mine is on the a30 but a tad further up in surrey

no probs here either!

 

[LankyDoodle]

Wow, thanks all

I go to Pensilva quite a lot and it's like a second home, so yes I know the A30 really well!

Sounds like people cope really well with the main road, which is really encouraging.

I've been looking at stable prices and I have to say that on the whole there doesn't seem to be a huge difference between new and second hand prices

We want about 3 stables and a tack room, with ideally some space for feed area. My husband says he can mark out the area for the school, lay hardcore and erect fence, but the surface and drainage would probably cost quite a bit.

Thank you

 

[custard]

Mine are on an A road but we bought the yard knowing I'd never ride along it in a million years. It's known among the biker fraternity as 'The warwick Race Track' and for good reason since they clock over 100mph (I kid you not ) on some stretches.

As the stables and shelter back onto the road mine seem totally chilled with the noise but still wouldn't risk it. There are quiet lanes and some bridleways within a 5 minute drive and have a couple of yards I can go to to hack out from as on good terms with the owners. For me it's not worth running the gauntlet for the sake of 10 minutes in a box so there are ways around it.

 

[Cop-Pop]

I used to keep mine on the A46 - it was a pain for turning in and out of the yard but the horses were all bombproof afterwards!! Until our accident she was more than happy for huge great lorries to go tanking past us with batting an eyelid at them

 

[Allykat]

Mine are on the A21 London to Hastings road. It s busy with all sorts motoring along it but we ride on the path alongside, so we have a wide grass verge between us and the traffic. Living by the road has certainly made ours traffic proof

I'd go for it, most traffic will slow down if they can see you so plenty of hi viz needed

 

[BBH]

Mine are also by a busy road and its great, the babies are less spooky when you take them out and in a way I think its safer than country lanes because the traffic sees you and definatly slows down whereas my pet worry is cars that fly round country lanes and are on top of you before they've even seen you.

 

[PeterNatt]

Mine was kept in London so had to be chilled out in traffic and all other situations as we road on the Central London Roads and in the parks such as Hyde Park.

My advice would be is to make sure that you have first class post and rail fencing so that the horses can not get out. (Heavy duty post and rail and Equi-Fencing). Where your field boundaries are adjacent to and level with or below a busy road have two lines of fencing so that if a vehicle crashes in to the first line the second inner line will stay intact and keep your horses in the field.

Also make sure that you have £10,000,000 of Third Party Public Liability Insurance as most companies do not offer this level of cover and you are responsible for the damage caused by your horses escaping.

As regards riding on the roads wear a full sleeved jacket so that your arm signals can be seen from a distance. Also have Hi-Viz on your horse. I would strongly recommend that you do the BHS Road Safety Course and Test as this will give you some valuable riding skills for riding on the roads. (I did the course as an adult).

A good Menage will be expensive due to material and Labour costs. You should allow £25,000 (exclusive of vat) for a 20 x 40 menage. Ask locals who they had theirs built by and take a look at them. The choice of surface for your discipline of equine use will be something that you will need to decide on.

 

[Madasmaz]

Hey Carrie,

My pony's field at the livery yard is next to a road with a huge hedge roadside. ALthough not bus, it does have a lot of heavy traffic in the form of tractors, milk lorries and all the other harvesting parafenalia that seems to get towed about. As a result, my pony is now more traffic proof than ever before, just as well when we have to tackle the B3134 Burrington Coombe road, a favourite with bikers who belive its the Isle of Mann...boy racers coming out of Bristol, and the odd obnoxious family man who doesn't seem to care whether he kills his entire family whilst passing at 70 horn blaring. Totally wioth PeterNatt on the Hi-vis thing...I love looking like a Christmas tree.