cantering on grass on middle of the road

[palominoponeh]

just wondering is it ok on horses legs to go for a canter on the grass strip on the middle of the road? i live in the backend of nowhere in rural ireland and the roads i hack on barely see a car and have grass growing up the middle. very tempting to canter up them but is this ok for their legs?

 

[[153312]]

With vehicular lanes either side? Bad, bad idea. Regardless of what the ground is like. Horse goes sideways, spooks or stumbles and you could be in front of a car - even if they don't see heavy traffic, it's too much of a risk, IMO, especially as rural roads often have poor visibility.

 

[palominoponeh]

With cars either side? Bad, bad idea. Regardless of what the ground is like.[/QUOTE as i said there is rarely a car on the roads… i would only do it on the flat stretches where you can see if anything’s coming ?

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

I guess it depends on how thick the strip is and what’s underneath, I sometimes go for canters along the grass verges at the side of a quiet road, not sure about the middle though. If its a relatively quiet straight road and you’re sure you can stop in time if you see a car coming I don’t see why not

 

[Gloi]

With vehicular lanes either side? Bad, bad idea. Regardless of what the ground is like. Horse goes sideways, spooks or stumbles and you could be in front of a car - even if they don't see heavy traffic, it's too much of a risk, IMO, especially as rural roads often have poor visibility.

I don't think she means that sort of road.

 

[palominoponeh]

I don't think she means that sort of road.

exactly… im talking a small country back road with no road markings etc not a motorway type job

 

[Gloi]

exactly… im talking a small country back road with no road markings etc not a motorway type job

I used to do it but the lanes are tarmac all the way across now. Shame.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

It is on some lanes around my way, thick layer of turf all the way up the centre of single track laneways. When we first moved here we had a km track out to the main lane that was a very useful spongy turf surface, sadly it was resurfaced which was great for the car but not so much fun for me and my horse.

 

[palominoponeh]

It is on some lanes around my way, thick layer of turf all the way up the centre of single track laneways. When we first moved here we had a km track out to the main lane that was a very useful spongy turf surface, sadly it was resurfaced which was great for the car but not so much fun for me and my horse.

aw pity…. in my area there’s an anbundance on the roads, you give your horse a loose rein on a hack and within seconds they are munching away ?

 

[iknowmyvalue]

I don’t do it on the road (not many like that round here) but I do sometimes on one of the farm tracks with grass up the middle and hardcore type of thing either side. The middle bit of grass is only about 1m wide but it’s good for testing your straightness

 

[Widgeon]

If it's just a quiet country lane (presumably you can hear and see when the occasional vehicle is approaching from either direction?) and the middle strip doesn't have concrete or rubble under it then yes definitely, I do it regularly. I feel jealous of your hacking!

 

[cold_feet]

I do it - why would you not? I know well the sort of lane you are talking about, so long as you have good control I don’t see the problem.

 

[little_critter]

I’ve done it. Where loads of sand and grit had been washed down a single track lane leaving a nice canter track up the middle of the road. Of course I didn’t treat it like a gallops, we did a steady canter. Keeping an eye (and ear) out for traffic.

 

[paddi22]

yeah I do it with mine. I make sure I walk the strip first just to check if theres any broken glass or weird stones, but I've done it with horses for years and had no bad side effects. you just need to watch you have total control in case anything comes out a gate unexpectedly.

 

[Rowreach]

Knowing the sort of lane you mean, then yeah I would (also knowing my horse wouldn't deviate off it).

 

[ester]

have done, would do Though with no shoes so less issue of a slip if they deviated.

 

[babymare]

Ooops We had a lane like you describe and where my “rescue” mare went for first time. Along side daughter on my big lad I was crying laughing. No napping. No rearing. No bolting. Quiet peaceful and a blast ?

 

[Sophie C]

just wondering is it ok on horses legs to go for a canter on the grass strip on the middle of the road? i live in the backend of nowhere in rural ireland and the roads i hack on barely see a car and have grass growing up the middle. very tempting to canter up them but is this ok for their legs?

I do this along the local lanes in Devon where there is good visiblity for oncoming traffic but I only do short bursts or my horse gets too excited and I always walk or trot at that spot the next few times so it doesn't become a habit.

 

[planete]

The only place to canter if I you are somewhere like Co Cork (Skibbereen?) from what I remember. As long as it is a hand canter. I did when I stayed in the area and it was fine.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I also canter up the middle of narrow lanes - great fun!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

just wondering is it ok on horses legs to go for a canter on the grass strip on the middle of the road? i live in the backend of nowhere in rural ireland and the roads i hack on barely see a car and have grass growing up the middle. very tempting to canter up them but is this ok for their legs?

I have done it and would do again if the needs be. I also trot in the centre where the mud built up giving the surface a cushioning to horses legs.

 

[snowangel5]

I have seen horses leaving hoof prints in grass foot path but I have never done it myself for a while

 

[Leandy]

Yes I would provided the surface is untarmac-ed under the grass. If you mean where grass has grown on top of the tarmac then no, it would be too hard and slippery for me.

 

[Ratface]

I wouldn't, but my horse's brakes are unreliable. I did it frequently as a child, but that was in the back of beyond.