cyclists spooking girls horse - RANT

[windseywoo]

Well I've just read this article about the girl being hurt when her horse was spooked, when being passed (opposite side of road) by up to 40 bikes, having to go to hospital and I must admit I've blown my top when I read the response from the Sustain cycle representative. "It is advised that cyclists give way to horses on bridleways"!!! Advised to give way I don't think so, so I've sent a slightly snotty e-mail to Sustain about how people seem to treat horse riders as second class citizens wherever they are and for once that the cyclists actually should give way, not maybe! I'm slightly calming down now, but all this anti horse sxxt on the roads is getting on my nerves.
Every week there seems to be a new cycle route opening up somewhere to get cyclists off the road and into lovely places, so why not us when seemingly the rest of the public want us off the roads as soon as possible. I think the BHS do a good job in a very hostile environment, but until we get rid of this only toffs ride horses and why can't they ride on their acreage!!! it's not going to change. (Some car rental survey saying 94% of their clients said horses shouldn't be on the roads).
Am I being unreasonable or have I had too much sugar at work today?
PS I hope that the girl is ok and recovers quickly.

 

[webble]

Hmm tough one. 40 bikes in one go one the road is way too many in my opinion. That said I've been in the same situation on my last horse who was nuts and she didn't bat an eyelid

 

[FfionWinnie]

Your horse should be safe to be on a road. Doesn't sound like that one was. What could the cyclists have actually done? Stopped and crashed into each other?

Couple of mine don't like tractors. I wouldn't blame the tractor if I fell off, its my horse and my problem.

 

[Highlands]

Round us they are lethal, through the lanes at top speed wrong side of the road. Take corners so fast. Had one crash at ponies feet. Ours are often rude, arrogant and think they own the road. My ponies are highlands and are quiet and well mannered but even the best bombproof pony can get out off having creeping cyclists up their behinds.
Yesterday neighbour on bike spooked ours. My pony spun 360 degrees , feet on bank , luckily I have a good seat! Poor neighbour was mortified!

 

[touchstone]

Agree with FfionWinnie, our horses have to be safe with the dozens of hazards on the road nowadays. By arguing that other road users have to pussyfoot around horses only enhances their opinion that horses shouldn't be on the road as they are too dangerous.

It's worth watching some of Barry Hooks videos on youtube and how he desensitises horses to traffic and situations that they may find themselves in on the road (driving ponies.)

I'm sorry to say that I don't think snotty letters will endear anyone to helping our cause either! Maybe lay off the sugar for a bit?

 

[Meandtheboys]

Well story is not exactly true...............the article was posted in the local papers from the cyclists perspective and witnesses confirm the story was slightly exaggerated. To be honest falling from a horse is not a pleasant experience but in this case I have to feel more sorry for the cyclists as they are being made out to be the guilty ones( and no I am not a cyclist )..............you should know the risks when riding on the road and cyclists are equally aloud to ride on the roads.

 

[Caol Ila]

Or train your horse to cope with bikes and other road users?

In the words of Rodney King, why can't we all just... get along?

 

[Meandtheboys]

Your horse should be safe to be on a road. Doesn't sound like that one was. What could the cyclists have actually done? Stopped and crashed into each other?

Couple of mine don't like tractors. I wouldn't blame the tractor if I fell off, its my horse and my problem.

exactly.................

 

[I love my Spanish horse]

I saw this story earlier where the dad of the girl injured was having a go at the cyclists for riding past too fast, at 4 abreast and then leaving the girl after she fell. Interestingly two of the riders independently posted replies to his accusations, and stated among many things that they were Infact only riding two abreast, slowed right down to pass the horses and actually waited with the girl after the incident until help arrived, also apparently there were 25 of them not 40. Now I'm the first person who can get annoyed at discourteous cyclists both whilst driving and out hacking, but if this persons version of events actually transpires to be nearer the truth then that of the girls family then I think it could have been blown out of proportion! Sympathies with the young girl obviously whom I believe dislocated her knee or something but horses as we all know are unpredictable ******* at the best of times and it may have made little difference to the outcome if there were 40 cyclists or 4!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

I used to cycle when Sustrans was set up and I understand they asked the BHS to join them in developing routes, and were rejected.
I live in Scotland and there may be some confusion,, but Sustrans were really wanting to develop routes for cyclists, and at that time they were insignificant, had minimal influence/funding. Things have changed.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Or train your horse to cope with bikes and other road users?

In the words of Rodney King, why can't we all just... get along?

My instructor [ a good rider] was taking her sane cob downtown when it was about four, she was introducing it gradually, but some idiot bus driver cut her up, and from that day to this the horse has a fear of buses, they are not stupid.
I always take a lot of time introducing youngsters to traffic and avoiding incidents, but one cannot assume every horse can cope, I always slow down when I approach horses, if they are prancing about I just stop, at least the rider knows what I am doing, and also the horse.
Cyclists should click their brakes/use bell to alert horse and rider, to their presence, if they don't tell them to do so in future.
40 cyclists should stop and let horses pass them.

 

[Goldenstar]

I used to cycle when Sustrans was set up and I understand they asked the BHS to join them in developing routes, and were rejected.
I live in Scotland and there may be some confusion,, but Sustrans were really wanting to develop routes for cyclists, and at that time they were insignificant, had minimal influence/funding. Things have changed.

This was certainly not the case when I was involved our access officer had a good working relationship with the cyclist groups , still does .

 

[Meredith]

A few years age I met about 50 cyclists on a bridleway in my local woodland. They were on a long distance race. Each stage was timed. The first rider hurtled past me and shot stones every where. The following riders slowed but didn't stop until I blocked the ride and asked them if they would let me pass safely. Horse was dancing on the spot at this time. They were very polite and kind. The last rider through explained what they were doing and said some of the lead riders didn't speak English. There wasn't any notification that this was going to take place so I explained if they had put up notices riders would have stayed away. Since then I have seen various notices and so have not ridden on those days. I also explain to cyclists and motor cyclists about horse vision, but it is easier to stop them on our roads which are very narrow. This has helped with local cyclists. Perhaps riding and cycling clubs should exchange information about long distance rides, races etc.

 

[ilvpippa]

I've had a incident with a cycle club. They had a race that day - my horse is absolutely fine with cyclists & still is thankfully!
I was having a lovely hack with my friend- saw near 100 bikes some passing in crowds. Horse was fine. On the country lane home (wide enough for a small car) I was signalling to turn off the road to my yard to the near 30 cyclists racing behind me; they took that moment to overtake her on both sides. She lost the plot & God knows how we didn't hurt any as she was spinning & leaping about. They did stop (had to!) and ask all was ok. But I was irritated as I was clearly signalling to turn & then to be overtaken both sides very closely could of caused more of an accident that it did!

 

[ArabianGem78]

Oh goody. Another "all cyclists are arrogant swines" thread. They are not. They are like every other group of road users - some are fantastic (like my OH, and most of the members of the club that he belongs to) and a minority are "idiots" who give the rest of them a bad name (like drivers, motorbikers, even horse riders). Yes, it can be frustrating to get caught in a group of cyclists taking part in a race, or have mountain bikers come flying down a bridleway towards you because said bridleway twists and turns so they can't see you until they are almost up your horse's backside, but these sort of events are rare. Typically, you meet one or two who want to come past whilst out on a country lane. That is an easy thing to desensitise your horse to (it just takes a willing friend or family member) and just an afternoon's work.

 

[ArabianGem78]

This has helped with local cyclists. Perhaps riding and cycling clubs should exchange information about long distance rides, races etc.

Absolutely. When endurance rides are run, we put signs up in the carparks on the route a week or two in advance to warn people.

It's also worth contacting your local cycling clubs (and tri clubs for that matter) and offering some advice on passing horses safely. Often, it's lack of understanding about horses and their behaviour that causes the problem rather than general arrogance or ignorance.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

The majority of the cyclists round here are great. It helps that one of our jockeys is a member of the local cycle club. They only use 1 road that we have the racehorses on and then they only use it twice a year and always plan it for a Sunday when they know we do not ride out. They are getting better at advertising things and warning us. Most of the road races go past my house which is perfect as it get's my horses used to them in a safe environment!

We do have a few eejits but you get eejits in every walk of life. Bless, we also have one guy who now forces himself to go along one of our routes on a Monday as he is petrified of horses and over the last 3 months he has gone from literally abandoning his bike and bolting halfway across the nearest field until we pass to standing quietly with his bike at the side of the cycle path. He is now able to speak to us too and not be totally paralysed by fear. His next aim is to come over and pat one of the horses before August. Fair play to him.

Horses might me scared of bikes but people forget that sometimes the cyclists are also scared of the horses!

 

[Caol Ila]

Aye, goes all ways. A mate of mine was cycling on the road and was cruising down a hill. He said the local hunt came haring out of a side road at the bottom of the hill and turned down the road he was on without bothering to check if anyone was coming. He had to slam on his brakes and was not impressed.

Whether I'm on the horse, the bike, on foot, or in the car, I always stop at a junction and look for traffic. Duh. Had the hunt been a car, they most assuredly would not have had the right of way.

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

As an aside, I've 'liked' a few cycle clubs on FB just so I can see when they'll be in my local area. They don't come along our lanes but if there was a big race I would avoid them for sure.

We do get loads of Hashers though, out at night, and that's enough to scare horse or human, a bouncing chain of lights travelling steadily along lanes and fields in the dark - head torches!

 

[ArabianGem78]

As an aside, I've 'liked' a few cycle clubs on FB just so I can see when they'll be in my local area. They don't come along our lanes but if there was a big race I would avoid them for sure.

Yep, I've done that too. But as my OH is out racing most weekends, I know when the big races are taking place anyway as inevitably he's at them!

 

[criso]

but these sort of events are rare.

Twice a week during the busy season and no advance notice though now when I see arrows on the hedge I know there will be another event in the next couple of days. Comes of being easily accessible green belt land near London.

Horse is fine with cycles generally but have had some near misses when they have got too close - hint if you actually touch my horse's tail with your bike, you are too close - and I do think many horses who are fine generally with bicycles do find large groups passing fast and close quite intimidating.

I think there have been attempts to educate them as some do slow down (though they are obviously very annoyed at having to do so and give you dirty looks for spoiling their time) However some still get carried away wanting to to win and don't make the best judgement calls. I'm not sure a competitive event (and I include racing against the clock) belongs on a public road without special arrangements.

 

[Mike007]

Sadly I have an entirely opposite problem . My horse is a cycling fanatic. I took him to watch the Olympic mens road race ,and basically he never got over it. I think it was the trot (as only an Irish draught can do) down a closed road with about 100 cycles around him (cyclist spectators) that blew his brains . He thought it was fantastic, they were .... terrified!!!! of the 17 2 mad irishman in their midst. Dare I admit this ... but .. you know how in a loud and crowded place you suddenly hear a conversation as if it was on a tannoy!. There was this texn drawl, "that is one hell of a horse, " only to be followed by another drawl, yes but youve got to be one hell of a rider. I must have absolutely blushed red but I was also immensely proud of Bob (and a bit for myself). Unfortunately the legacy of this is that any cyclist in the surrey area needs to be warned that they might suddenly find a very large practically palomino wishing to inspect their bike.

 

[Barnacle]

I love that story Mike...

I haven't had bad experiences with cyclists really. I've had a couple of horses bolt when a cyclist was heading our way but honestly, it wasn't their fault. It WAS a bridleway, but they were going slow and were hardly threatening... Just nervous horses new to cycles... I've also found myself on horseback in the midst of 100 or so children on bikes (supervised by adults, I assume it was some club or something) recently on a bridleway. No problems that time but I did have to wait for all of them.

I do think there is a serious problem concerning the perception of riders though. Too many people think we must all have acres of private family land to ride on and are using roads just to annoy them. If more people were aware of the reality of the demographic of horse owners and riders, they may be a little more considerate (not that you should spook a horse just because the rider has some money - that's still crazy thinking).

 

[Mike007]

Thanks Barnacle, the way we change perceptions is slow,drop by drop. Talking to cyclists .Like the poor cyclist who rode up alongside Bob. We exchanged pleasentrys and he said , "your horse is so much better behaved than the one I met the other day" How so ,I asked ."well , I cycled up as quietly as I could behind it and it suddenly went berzerk!!!!!!!!!!" I explained a few things about prey animals and stealthy predators. His response was "Oh my god" I caused that ! One small drop wearing away the mountain.

 

[Cobbytype]

The cycle clubs around here are unbelievably disrespectful to other road users. They will be 4 abreast on the country roads and refuse to move over for cars behind them waiting to pass. They will squish in front of cars at the busy train crossing, then faff about wobbling all over the place when the barriers go up, thus holding everyone up. They race through the villages, with no respect for pedestrians or horse riders - they're completely obsessed with their sport and just won't steady up or behave sensibly. The roads should be used for general cycling fittening work, not racing along blindly in a gaggle of 20 or 30 or more - if horse riders behaved similarly, there'd be hell to pay.

 

[Marydoll]

Agree with FfionWinnie, our horses have to be safe with the dozens of hazards on the road nowadays. By arguing that other road users have to pussyfoot around horses only enhances their opinion that horses shouldn't be on the road as they are too dangerous.

It's worth watching some of Barry Hooks videos on youtube and how he desensitises horses to traffic and situations that they may find themselves in on the road (driving ponies.)

I'm sorry to say that I don't think snotty letters will endear anyone to helping our cause either! Maybe lay off the sugar for a bit?

While i agree horses need to be safe on the road, the other road users should be slowing down and following the directions given from the rider, as stated in the highway code it doesnt sound like that happened in this case

 

[PeterNatt]

I find most cyclists are pretty sensible as regards passing horse riders however like with everything in life there will always be a minority that spoil it for everyone.
Were cyclist are holding a formal race ride on the roads a court case stated that they must be escorted both at the front and rear by motorised vehicles and that in the event of them meeting a horse rider the race must be stopped to allow the horse riders to safely move away.
As regards bridleways cyclists must give way to horse riders. That is the law.
The equestrian industry is the second largest land based industry to farming yet the government gives Sustrans large amounts of money to provide off road routes in many cases concreting over existing bridleways and byways.
Sustrans rarely creates multi-user routes which horse riders are permitted to use.
The only organisation which represents horse riders and carriage drivers to the national and local government is the British Horse Society.
If more horse riders and carriage drivers were members then they could do a lot more work on behalf of them and do a lot more work on improving the off-road network of riding and driving routes.

 

[Goldenstar]

Peter has a very good point .
The more members and their membership fees the BHS has the more they can do .
I think part of the issue is the historic inbuilt sexism in sport more women than men ride therefore it's seen as not a proper sport you team that up with the lazy only toffs ride attitude and you can why cyclists are doing better than we are.
The truth is in some areas after agriculture ( heavily paid for by the tax payer ) and tourism equestrian stuff is the third biggest part of the economy .
The truth is horses are seen by many as an issue certainly in our parish horses are seen as an issue and one councillor ( no thankfully retired but still about )used to be vocal on the too many horses in the parish front I used to fight a continual rear guard action against her on many all the time .
Often horse people don't help themselves while we love our horses many see the arrival of horses in a smallish field as the inevitable precursor to a life spent looking at flapping half fallen done electric fencing tape mud that rivals the Somme brightly colour plastic trugs dumped about the field and plastic wrap blowing around .
Not everybody loves us and often for very fair reasons .
I do think that cyclists are improving and the message must be getting out I see far more polite one than I did .
However it's up to us to train our horses to cope with life today and cyclists are part of that now .

 

[criso]

Peter while the law is very clear on formal races the issue is with time trials and sportives which are not technically classed as a race but share some of the same competitive elements which can lead to the participants taking risks. There doesn't seem to be any need to publicise or warn residents in advance either.

And it's not just horse riders, a friends was out with her husband and children on their bikes and got shouted at and abused as they slides them down and got in their way.

 

[webble]

Twice a week during the busy season and no advance notice though now when I see arrows on the hedge I know there will be another event in the next couple of days. Comes of being easily accessible green belt land near London.

Horse is fine with cycles generally but have had some near misses when they have got too close - hint if you actually touch my horse's tail with your bike, you are too close - and I do think many horses who are fine generally with bicycles do find large groups passing fast and close quite intimidating.

I think there have been attempts to educate them as some do slow down (though they are obviously very annoyed at having to do so and give you dirty looks for spoiling their time) However some still get carried away wanting to to win and don't make the best judgement calls. I'm not sure a competitive event (and I include racing against the clock) belongs on a public road without special arrangements.

I had an old lady in a car do this at a junction once. Horse put her ears back and swished her tail so I asked her to step forward and the car followed!!