Dangerous hacking!

Just looking at the link for the equisafety jacket at at first look it does look like a police jacket.
Fab idea i will definately be investing in one of those.
Many years ago i was riding my old horse down the road looked around to pass a parked car all clear carried on when a car came careering down the road and squeezed past me clipping my stirrup iron, cue me calling driver a p**ck and hitting the roof of his car with my whip.
Driver did stop called me a stuck up little c**t, a few more choice words were exchanged when driver then proceeded to turn car around an chase me up a single track road, luckily i had a sensible responsive hore who happily galloped up road and up the bank and jumped hedge into nearest field.
Have to say frighten the life out of me, good thing was when i got back to yard local policeman was there and i was in a real state by this point, he took all the details down and driver got in some proper trouble.
 
We are in a very quiet area and nearly all road users are very good to us and will stop and not move till we are past. The fact that one of our horses is syndicated to a group of locals probably helps. We did have one young lad in a souped up honda that refused to slow down though....after weeks of this incessant speeding and revving we asked the guards to speak to him, had no effect so I took our quietest horse out that reacts to nothing, stood at side of the road watching him coming, lifted my bloody good strong racing whip and walloped the roof of his car. He stopped, jumped out and apologised profusely for hitting me at which stage i tore into him for driving so dangerously. It worked and he now pulls in, turns off engine and doesn't move till we are well past! He also still thinks he hit me not the other way round. NB i was on a horse so quiet I had to wake him up after this to continue our hack and was on a very straight stretch of road with no other traffic around and beside an open gate into one of our fields so had an escape route for horse if needed.
 
You have to think like a driver. What would you like to see. Politeness, hi viz and sensible riders. No on the mobile or talking to your mates taking no noitce. Also yes hat covers are good and if you think like a driver the first thing you actually see are the horses legs, so hi viz on those is a good idea. Cyclists are a lot worse than horse riders, riding in groups chatting and not even thanking drivers for giving them room or not bothering to wear hi viz.

The riding and road safety test is very good.
 
Katt said:
Ride defensively, well into the road like a moped, but pull over when you can to let traffic pass you. If you are on a blind bend or narrow section, trot briskly to the next safe passing place. You should avoid drivers getting stuck behind you and becoming frustrated.

If you can beckon people past at convenient and safe times then do, but do not be surprised if they don't pass you. I will never overtake purely on the basis of a rider signalling me, if I can't see that the road is clear I don't pass. Remember that you can see further than the driver as you are higher up.
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I always ride defensively this way. So many of us ride in an "apologetic" way as if they feel they have no right to be on the road at all, squeezing themselve into the hedgerow giving way to drivers when they should be made to give way to us - they have brakes and steering FFS!!!!. This makes drivers MORE likely to speed past you.
One of my friends hacks out like this and I would not ride out with her anymore. Needless to say she has been hit in the past. She also drives past horses the same way herself!

Ride DOUBLE where possible say on straight bits of the road. (NOT ROUND BLIND BENDS ) that way drivers HAVE to slow down or ELECT to hit you.
Also you have a witness.

I have a new young horse and I am dreading taking him on the roads, even in the area where I live which compared to most is quiet.
But we still get the rat runners at times, so I pick times to hack out.
 
On the clothing front, they do also sell ex police jackets with all the relevant police stuff taken off obviously - usually on eBay you find them - it is legitimate seller or the one I found was anyway. We have a huge horse on your yard who could be a police horse in build any day and his rider wears a full hi-viz jacket and full hi-viz sheet and bits on legs, hat etc and you do think when you see him coming that he's a policeman!

We have on the whole got sensible drivers on the roads we have to hack on - whether that's because it's any area suffused with small private yards and larger livery yards so there's been a history and expectation of horses being on those roads I don't know. But you will always meet one that scares you witless with excess speed or who passes you too close. One person I ride out with rides with a long schooling whip and sticks it out slightly when we are on narrow roads when cars attempt to squeeze past rather than let us get to a wider bit/gateway - she just tries to ensure there is that much space between her and the car. Just recently someone from our yard on her young horse who was being silly on roads (bolting!) when she first started hacking him out again on roads managed to get her horse back out round a loop round the block for the first time in ages. Her partner was on his bike with her. She had a tabard saying Caution, Young Horse and one car came too fast - due to previous problems her partner did the arm signal for them to slow down - they got several fingers back and no change to their speed....sadly I think you are always going to have some drivers who have no knowledge of how to pass cyclists, hikers, horses, etc or any sort of consideration.
 
I agree with looking like the police!
I went out hacking today on a 16.3 covered in yellow and my friend on a 17.2 (who is actually an ex police horse) and the drivers passed slow and wide.

If I hack out a friends pony who is only 14.1 drivers come much close and often faster however saying that on a whole most drivers are brilliant where we are.
 
OWLIE185 said:
I have been very fortunate as I had to ride in London including Central London. The mounted police taught me a few skills in slowing down the traffic.

Take the BHS Road Safety Course and exam as this will arm you with a number of skills. Phone up the Road Safety Department at the BHS for details of courses in your area.

The first thing is to wear a long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket so that your arm signals are clearly visible to motorists and with a bit of luck they may even believe you are a police officer.
Wear a Hi-Viz head band so that you can be seen over the top of hedges.
Put Hi-Viz refelctives on your nose band and reigns and also on your horses legs and tail.

If you hear a vehicle approaching you from behind you always turn your head round and stare at the drivers eyes. This makes them aware that you know they are there and they will normally slow down.

If you are going round a bend and a car is approaching you from the front then always turn your head round as if something is coming from behind you. That will normally cause them to slow down.

If you want a vehicle to slow down then poiint at the driver for 3 seconds and then hold up the palm of your hand. This normally does the trick.

Avoid riding out when the sun is bright and low as it completely dazzles road users and they can not see you.

Avoid riding out in the rush hour or when it is starting to get dark or is dark.
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Good advice!! Thanks

I hacked out last night and was over taken numerous times breaking the speed limit. Cars and large vans. Its pretty scary!! My horse is generally pretty good with traffic but you just never know do you. What scares me is if something scares him from the side (like a dog for example) and he jumps sideways, if a car is speeding towards you or overtaking when its not safe they just have no time to react. I do try to ride when its not rush hour for safety reasons, however I really do think cars should respect riders more. I am also struggling with finding HI Vis gear for my horses tail and legs where I live in France, it is really frustrating!!
 
Having been hit by a car, I now do the following (probably all of which have been mentioned by others in this thread):

1. Wherever possible, ride two abreast
2. When riding alone, I don't cringe in the gutter, I ride firmly out about a meter from the verge, taking a car space
3. Carry a long schooling whip, stuck out (and I WILL hit a car with it)
4. If a car is behind me at a blind bend (talking single track Somerset lanes here), where I can see an oncoming vehicle that they can't, I turn round in the saddle, and hold my arm out with the palm facing them. This is always understood, and I often get a 'thank-you' for it
5. The two main problems round here are lunatic mothers on the school runs, and large farm machinery. We avoid the first by trying never to ride during school run hours. The farm traffic is a difficult one. It's the height of discourtesy to expect, say, a tractor and heavily laden trailer to try to back up for you. On the other hadn they completely fill the road. Usually I turn my horse about and trot back to a passing place/gateway, but always feel that this is giving the wrong message to the horse, i.e. scary big machinery equals flight. Can I widen the thread and ask what any of you do in that situation?
 
OWLIE185 said:
I have been very fortunate as I had to ride in London including Central London. The mounted police taught me a few skills in slowing down the traffic.

Take the BHS Road Safety Course and exam as this will arm you with a number of skills. Phone up the Road Safety Department at the BHS for details of courses in your area.

The first thing is to wear a long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket so that your arm signals are clearly visible to motorists and with a bit of luck they may even believe you are a police officer.
Wear a Hi-Viz head band so that you can be seen over the top of hedges.
Put Hi-Viz refelctives on your nose band and reigns and also on your horses legs and tail.

If you hear a vehicle approaching you from behind you always turn your head round and stare at the drivers eyes. This makes them aware that you know they are there and they will normally slow down.

If you are going round a bend and a car is approaching you from the front then always turn your head round as if something is coming from behind you. That will normally cause them to slow down.

If you want a vehicle to slow down then poiint at the driver for 3 seconds and then hold up the palm of your hand. This normally does the trick.

Avoid riding out when the sun is bright and low as it completely dazzles road users and they can not see you.

Avoid riding out in the rush hour or when it is starting to get dark or is dark.
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Fantatsic advice! I ride out on the roads alot (have to to get anywhere) - I always wear Hi Viz, but yesterday tried a few of the things above for the first time - the turning round and staring at drivers in particular and it worked! I use hand signals alot and they do work if used 'confidently'. I also agree lots of drivers don't know what some signals mean so you need to be really clear.

I also wear a hat band - and was asked once by an older guy if I was a police officer which I thought was sweet - particularly because my pony is 14.1!!

I'm definately also going to get a Hi-Viz jacket and gloves I think, as at the moment I wear a tabard. I also have leg wraps and a breast strap on my pony, and a full reflective hi-viz sheet when its colder. I was always told that both horse and rider should be wearing hi-viz, in the event they part company!

I don't really like riding on the roads - but have to go about 10 mins along the commons of a busy road, then 30 mins on lanes to get to miles of toll rides I pay for.

Another thing I also have on both my horses is a little dog tag on their bridle with my and my loaners phone numbers - again in the event of us parting company.
 
I have also had a horrible accident two years ago on my bombproof welsh cob - got hit from behind by a silage trailer being pulled by a tractor, the angry young man driving it then drove off! Since then I have been trying to convince her that it is still safe and two years on we are getting there. Around here (rural aberdeenshire) we are surrounded by some real ****-head drivers and I recently found that if I ride nearly down the middle of the road and then when I see a tractor or lorry I draw my hand across my neck as if making a 'cut your throat' sign, it has an immediate effect. It must be what these drivers use to eachother. Also, I hadn't realised I was also shouting at the drivers - this is a waste of your energy and also scares the horse - don't do it - the drivers cannot hear you!!
 
I used to ride with a rigid stick with a brass top on it!!! If someone comes too close then hold it out coz they'll keep their distance as they're terrified of getting their precious vehicles scratched!! It never failed, till I mislaid the stick .....

Also, cyclists don't seem to be able to understand hand signals - I've repeatedly held out my hand to ask them to pass slowly, but they're either blind, stupid, or ignorant, or all three!
 
As someone who always thanks all drivers who slow down (I look like I'm signing for the deaf as I wave a couple of times in case they can't see me in the mirror) I get annoyed when other riders do not acknowledge. Passed ex PC DC today and not even a nod of the head. GGrrrrr
 
Box_Of_Frogs said:
To be fair, if the road is speed limit 60mph, then drivers are entitled to drive at 60mph.
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I'm sorry I disagree with this - many years ago, my old driving instructor used to point out that that the speed limit was just that - not something to aim for.

Drivers should always travel at a safe speed ie one that allows them to stop at unexpected obstacles and they have a legal duty to treat all other road users in a safe manner and with courtesy (Oh yes, it is illegal to road rage :D for instance, try swearing at another driver during your driving test, it's an instant fail)

However, I also firmly believe that the safety and manners aspect should apply to all other road users too including horse riders. They shouldn't be on the road if they are not going to treat car drivers with manners and consideration - using clear signals, trotting on when safe to do so, pulling over to let traffic past at the first available opportunity and thinking twice about timing when they take a take a traffic shy/young horse out for training.

Unlike the noob I passed on Friday at 1745 strolling along a busy but narrow road at a very leisurely stroll with 2 miles of traffic behind him......not playing fair IMHO
 
Some very good suggestions and some nightmare experiences.

I've found bikers to be generally the most sensible as they perhaps have a sense of their own mortality as well, lorry drivers are pretty good too, the least considerate group I have come accross are cyclists, I used to live in an area where there were a lot of time trials type events, where you would get a mad scrum of cyclist hurtling up behind you in scary bright clothing and totally silently. They were usually so wrapped up in their race that they had little or no consideration for horses, and would get really arsey if they were asked to slow down.

I once had a cyclist abuse my then gf when she was leading our three horses in from the field on her own and blocking the whole farm track, even though the farm track was on private land but was also a footpath. He hurtled round a blind bend and had to stop suddenly, nearly coming off when he found himself looking up at 17hh of hanoverian.

With boy racers I once was on foot walking with another horse when we heard a car driving at speed, changing up and down as if he was on a rally. We could hear him, approaching but had nowhere to go to get out of the way, and had just gone round a blind left hand bend and the road continued to bend, I had to almost throw myself in the middle of the road, so that he would see me before he saw the horse on the edge, fortunately he steered around me, thereby giving the horse space, but had anything come the other way, theres no way he would have stopped.

I took his reg details and called the local police, they asked me if I wished to make a complaint, and would I be prepared to testify in court, I think more as a way of hoping to put me off. I told them that I would be, and went to the police station to make a statement, although I've no idea what happened after that as they never got back in touch.
 
Oldhat - I'm in Aberdeenshire too - lots of real knobs around in BMW's, Mercedes and Audi TT's - no idea at all most of them.

I ride in the middle of the road and take up the whole road if I need to slow the traffic down - no point trying to be subtle about it. I often have kids with me - my attitide is 20 seconds of your time is of miniscule importance compared to 4 or 6 lives!!!

We also have a driving pony - you have no idea the abuse we get - drivers shouting and swearing because they have had to slow down and wait.
 
Rose Folly said:
1. Wherever possible, ride two abreast
2. When riding alone, I don't cringe in the gutter, I ride firmly out about a meter from the verge, taking a car space
3. Carry a long schooling whip, stuck out (and I WILL hit a car with it)
4. If a car is behind me at a blind bend (talking single track Somerset lanes here), where I can see an oncoming vehicle that they can't, I turn round in the saddle, and hold my arm out with the palm facing them. This is always understood, and I often get a 'thank-you' for it
5. The two main problems round here are lunatic mothers on the school runs, and large farm machinery. We avoid the first by trying never to ride during school run hours. The farm traffic is a difficult one. It's the height of discourtesy to expect, say, a tractor and heavily laden trailer to try to back up for you. On the other hadn they completely fill the road. Usually I turn my horse about and trot back to a passing place/gateway, but always feel that this is giving the wrong message to the horse, i.e. scary big machinery equals flight. Can I widen the thread and ask what any of you do in that situation?
Click to expand...
Exactly what we do here. My schooling whip comes in very handy ;)
2 abreast - and most often receiving the abuse that seems hand in hand with it! Got a blast from a chap on a motorbike today as he passed along with a one finger salute! Nice - not. Bikers are usually the best with us but not today.
 
Not read all the other posts but did spot something to the effect of us feeling apologetic when riding, I totally agree, we shouldn't have to feel like second class citizens all the time when riding anywhere, we have as much right to be on the roads and Bridleways etc as anyone else, I always try to be polite and courteous to others whether it is traffic cyclist walkers etc, ie I wear hi viz so others can see me coming, whether it is traffic on the road or dog walkers across a field, move to one side, trot on to a gap to let traffic past if possible, but I soon cut up very nasty if anyone treats me like I shouldn't be there, or doesn't show me the respect I show to them, I get just as annoyed by cyclists whizzing past me without warning as much as cars when walking my dog as I do when riding my Po.
 
lorry's have no control over brakes and most drivers cringe when it happens as we do!

I used L plates on youngsters - drivers understand this and it works a treat.

If I hear a car coming too fast I turn round make eye contact, SMILE and say thank you before they are anywhere near us- never fails!

Too many riders dont say thank you, unfortunatey.
 
I agree with the advice to make eye contact if at all possible and SMILE!!!! even grumpy drivers find it hard to be ignorant when you have already , effectively thanked them for slowing down before they have even done it!

A 'technique' i only discovered recently for slowing down drivers coming up behind you...

When someone comes up behind me i find if i look over my shoulder in a worried fashion SEVERAL times (every few strides) it REALLY works and causes the drivers to slow down.

i would guess they see my worried face and think "why does she look so worried? what is her horse going to do?Maybe i should slow down, just in case!"
what ever they think it has quite a remarkable effect, especially as it is difficult to make eye contact with people behind you.
 
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