General Public's perception of Horse Riders

[stormox]

I think traffic in general drove at a much slower speed in the 70s and 80s - there werent so many motorways and dual carriageways so people were much more used to meandering A roads with towns and villages.
Nowadays people do 70 all the time, so instead of going from 50mph to 20mph past horses they think slowing down means go from 70mph to 50mph.....

 

[Fransurrey]

he argued that if a parent had a child on the road who would suddenly;y thrown themselves onto a car bonnet with no control then the parent should just walk their child in a park or controlled space. I can kind of see his point objectively.

But by that logic, nobody should use the roads at all. If a dog runs out, a car might swerve. If a driver passes out, they'll crash. A cyclist might hit a pot hole and be launched into the path of a vehicle. A runner might trip and fall. That's why they're called accidents and we reduce the likelihood of them by following guidance and assessing each situation.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Impatient drivers is an issue on the roads full stop.

Where I used to live there was a terrible accident where an impatient driver overtook at a stupid place (hidden dip in the road) and went head first into a lorry (that was in the dip). It was carnage as you can imagine with a head on collision between a car and a lorry. The poor lorry driver did nothing wrong. Car driver died and passengers had life changing injuries.

 

[paddi22]

But by that logic, nobody should use the roads at all. If a dog runs out, a car might swerve. If a driver passes out, they'll crash. A cyclist might hit a pot hole and be launched into the path of a vehicle. A runner might trip and fall. That's why they're called accidents and we reduce the likelihood of them by following guidance and assessing each situation.

yeah 100% agree. I found it a very strange argument. it seems to be rooted in a belief that roads are purely for cars and no understanding that unexpected things can happen and the onus is on the driver to be aware and prepared.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Maybe the driving test (and lessons) needs to really over emphasise that the roads are for everyone who is legally entitled to use them and not just cars?

 

[smolmaus]

Maybe the driving test (and lessons) needs to really over emphasise that the roads are for everyone who is legally entitled to use them and not just cars?

I actually don't think it's a problem with the driving test (as someone who only did theirs 18 months ago). I don't think it's new drivers who are the problem, it's experienced drivers who have the "confidence" or arrogance to think they can get away with risky and dangerous driving.

In my experience the learning materials and the test were good about other road users, the hazard perception examples included runners, cyclists and horses. Of course I don't know what the test was like 20-30 years ago when the middle-aged people who make up the majority of road users now were taking it.

 

[Flame_]

Someone recently shared a post of the BHS Pass Wide and Slow Campaign on a local Facebook page. I was quite shocked by the response.
The majority of responses were very anti horse riders on the roads. "Horses belong in a field not on the road"..."horses riders should clean up after their horses like dog owners have to" ... "horse riders are so selfish, leaving their horse's mess all over the roads".
From personal experience I am also finding I'm encountering more and more rude impatient and downright dangerous drivers on the roads. I always without fail thank every driver that slows down for us when I'm out riding.
So do you think the general public have quite a negative view of us riders? If so why do you think that is?

People really are unaware that they are classist, envious, and seething with inverse snobbery.

They think they just don't like us existing and being in their way (and some people are actually like that about anything or anyone who happens to be an obstacle on their super-important path, not just people out enjoying life by doing something they can't).

 

[scats]

This makes zero sense to me. If he doesn't slow down he is a) breaking the law and b) going to cause an accident where people could be permanently injured or killed, including himself if it goes very badly. Causing death by dangerous driving doesn't have a "but someone on a horse was rude to me once" get out of jail free card.

I know it was probably just Billy Big Man mouthing off on FB but that attitude is insane! How huge and fragile is someone's ego that getting a bit of attitude off a random person is enough to make them want to risk possibly killing a completely different person?

Well no, I totally understand and agree. But unfortunately, this is how some people think.

 

[Cloball]

The hazard perception is good but I don't necessarily think people put two and two together. Look there's a hazard.... Oh I should probably slow down because an accident might happen. Honestly the RTC carnage I've seen could put anyone off driving over 30mph. ... Maybe driving full stop. The amount of people who over take me on a horrible road with blind corners and blind dips only for me to catch them up 2 minutes later at traffic lights people think they are invincible in their box. Cars go so much faster much easier than older cars as well, plus the amount of SUVs isn't helping the injuries and accident seen.

We really do need more off rode access as I can't see drivers attitude changing much ?

 

[cauda equina]

yeah 100% agree. I found it a very strange argument. it seems to be rooted in a belief that roads are purely for cars and no understanding that unexpected things can happen and the onus is on the driver to be aware and prepared.

Even if roads were purely for cars, a considerable number of them aren't under the full control of their owners, otherwise there'd be no RTCs

 

[scruffyponies]

I'm going to go against the grain a bit. Our local motorists are generally great. Our cyclists are even better. There are '000s of them, so the horses are well-used to them, but they all give us a cheery shout so we know they're there. This is partly because on single track roads we are taking up the whole thing, and need to move aside to let the cyclist pass. We all get along fine, and are mutually supportive on issues of access etc locally.

I do think that the sheer number of us (rides of 8-10), how often we ride, and the presence of tons of cyclists and walkers on the same lanes helps to educate local motorists. They haven't got a clue what they're going to meet around the next corner.

Lockdown has been great in this regard.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

I love being thought of as a snob and posh for owning a horse. It amuses me no end. I dont have a pot to p*ss in BECAUSE I own a horse, lol! As for road users, i just thank the nice ones and either ignore or abuse the horrible ones, it makes no real difference to me, i need to do a section of road to get to the bridleways so i get on and do it!

I did have a delightful lady cycle up behind me the other day and when i said 'give us a shout next time please' she very angrily stated that ;she had slowed down and why? why should she shout out!? ... My reply was with a smile as i said "because if you scare my horse and he kicks you in the head and you die i might get in trouble!" ... I dont think she was quiet expecting that

 

[EarsofaSnowman]

This makes zero sense to me. If he doesn't slow down he is a) breaking the law and b) going to cause an accident where people could be permanently injured or killed, including himself if it goes very badly. Causing death by dangerous driving doesn't have a "but someone on a horse was rude to me once" get out of jail free card.

I know it was probably just Billy Big Man mouthing off on FB but that attitude is insane! How huge and fragile is someone's ego that getting a bit of attitude off a random person is enough to make them want to risk possibly killing a completely different person?

I see it more as he was put at physical danger by riders cantering towards him on a shared path, and was expected to get out of their way, so why shouldn't the equivalent be true on the roads? Chances are he would continue to slow down, but with more gritted teeth! I had attitude from a rider because i was walking on a pavement and did not get out of her way as she was riding towards me on the pavement - apparently I should have given way to her?. I know cars do far more damage, but riders can put others at risk too, and its this entitled attitude of "I can do what i want as I'm on a horse" that gets people's backs up. Fortunately its not the norm, but there are selfish idiots on every mode of transport, and many riders are very quick to point fingers, except at their fellow riders.

 

[smolmaus]

I see it more as he was put at physical danger by riders cantering towards him on a shared path, and was expected to get out of their way, so why shouldn't the equivalent be true on the roads? Chances are he would continue to slow down, but with more gritted teeth! I had attitude from a rider because i was walking on a pavement and did not get out of her way as she was riding towards me on the pavement - apparently I should have given way to her?. I know cars do far more damage, but riders can put others at risk too, and its this entitled attitude of "I can do what i want as I'm on a horse" that gets people's backs up. Fortunately its not the norm, but there are selfish idiots on every mode of transport, and many riders are very quick to point fingers, except at their fellow riders.

My post was addressing specifically the part of that post I quoted from the FB commenter, not really the story about the walker. Not that I'm in any way condoning chucking abuse about because someone wasn't quick enough to give way no matter who is riding what or walking where. I just have a lot more experience with aggressive drivers than aggressive cyclists or riders and there are more of them!

 

[Hanno Verian]

We are also finding an increasing number of drivers being rude, aggressive and downright dangerous. It gets worse every year, I've no idea why. We also had abuse given to us this weekend for riding on a bridle path!! We were walking single file and kept as close to one side as physically possible but apparently we shouldn't have been there ?‍

You would have thought the clue was in the name - Bridle Path

 

[mini_b]

just to add about other road users...

I had a hunky shirtless runner stop because he didn’t know whether it was ok to go past!
Very sweet and I thanked him profusely, explaining it was more considerate/safer to walk...which gave me chance to get a good look ?

 

[McGrools]

I’m feeling that folk are angry and miserable at the moment and a lot less tolerant in general. Lockdown has brought a lot of people out walking round our country lanes, mainly middle aged and older and some i feel utterly resent horse riders sharing their space. I had one comment about cleaning up after our horses, and twice this week have been totally ignored by a couple as i have asking to come past. Bizarre. No recognition whatsoever that a horse was close behind until i had to ask ‘hello, is it ok if i come past’. Really ignorant behaviour and i always go out of my way to be super polite. There are residents in our village who simply hate horses. Such a shame x

 

[rextherobber]

I'd agree you get far more courtesy/slowing down and road room if you're riding in a group, and have learned that if you get on the verge too soon, most cars will neither slow down or move over. Also agree farm machinery and motorbikes are the most considerate to encounter. In my area, I find as a motorist, the majority of horse riders do not acknowledge me at all I don't view thanking someone for slowing down as thanking them for obeying the law, I think it's just courtesy, I thank other motorists for giving way to me, when it's my right if way, it's just being polite. Also agree that most motorists think they have slowed enough ( like, down to 50 mph!) I've also been cycling a bit over lockdown, (in a non lyrca clad, amateur way), and it's terrifying when cars whizz by you...I think perception if speed is dulled by being in a vehicle. Perhaps the BHS should do a bit of prime time TV advertising, to educate the public on the equine teleport ability!

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

I'm finding everyone a lot less tolerant at the moment. Drivers, cyclists & even dog walkers - people who now walk where we've always ridden (that didnt in the past) letting their dogs chase & bark at the horses & get the hump when the horse swings a leg etc as if its our fault for it happening! I've just bought myself a camera to wear now that films infront & behind plus new hi-viz with the speed camera sign on saying "you are being recorded". Figure if I'm going to end up on someones windscreen they can at least have it on camera!

 

[mini_b]

I'm finding everyone a lot less tolerant at the moment. Drivers, cyclists & even dog walkers - people who now walk where we've always ridden (that didnt in the past) letting their dogs chase & bark at the horses & get the hump when the horse swings a leg etc as if its our fault for it happening! I've just bought myself a camera to wear now that films infront & behind plus new hi-viz with the speed camera sign on saying "you are being recorded". Figure if I'm going to end up on someones windscreen they can at least have it on camera!

would you mind posting a link to the camera that films both ways thanks x

 

[Dave's Mam]

I am an inexperienced driver so maybe this is more to do with that but I couldn't give a toss if a person on horseback or a cyclist or even a dog walker waves at me when I do what I'm supposed to do and pass safely. I'm not passing wide and slow for politeness, I'm doing it so there isn't an accident and maybe someone could die???


This is genuinely terrifying to read. I hope I never ever lose the awareness that when I'm driving I am in control of a 1 tonne death machine. Well, a fiesta is probably less but still!!

This is it EXACTLY.

 

[Jellymoon]

I think maybe what people write on FB is perhaps a bit exaggerated and we shouldn’t be scaring ourselves too much. People are bored and grumpy at the moment too.
People round me are ok, but I do avoid the road at busy times, and like all of us, I try to make it as easy as possible for people to get past me by using the verges ad gateways.
On a positive note, our village school was doing a bike awareness course with the kids, I had to pass them several times on diff horses, and they came past me in a group a couple of times. I later heard the instructor giving them a massive lecture because a few of them had applied squeaky brakes while going past me!! She said, ‘is that an appropriate thing to do while passing a horse?? Well, is it????’
My horse hadn’t even noticed, bless him, but I was very impressed with the instructor. Another time, a chap on a bike stopped to ask me what is the best thing to do when you come up behind a horse on a bike so as not to spook them. I said the best thing is to call out ‘hello, good morning’ something like that. Ringing the bell wouldn’t bother mine, but calling out is best.
I also think a ‘Young Horse in Training’
is quite a good thing to wear, even a non horsey person could relate to that.

 

[scruffyponies]

I would love to see a proper study of the psycology of driver / public reaction to horse based on what you wear. Here are my observations:

Size matters... people who are happy to keep their foot on the gas passing a nervous 5yo child on a shetland pony will slow down for something big enough to intimidate.

Hi-viz, unless the conditions are dodgy, doesn't make people slow down more. Occasionally it seems to have the opposite effect. Perhaps it dehumanises a little.

I have one outfit which commands immediate respect on the road, and slows ALL traffic. That is my drizabone and leather hat combo for torrential rain. Nobody, it seems, messes with Clint Eastwood.

 

[cauda equina]

I wear a Dickie's hi viz fleece and drivers (eg of vans or the bin lorry) wearing similar gear slow down particularly well; perhaps it's just coincidence

Re thanking/not thanking - in narrow places I always get my horse off the road if possible
Sometimes drivers thank me but mostly they don't.
I don't do it for gratitude, I do it for everyone's safety

 

[sunnyone]

You would have thought the clue was in the name - Bridle Path

Exactly! I'd have asked the resentful person if they had their bridle with them so that they could prove their entitlement to use the path and then shown them where mine was displayed for all to see! Do non-horse people even know what a bridle is? It's not a word in daily use.

As an aside if we are cantering and see people approaching mine slow to a walk as they have been trained to do so. I also always let any kids stroke the horse for a couple of minutes if they want to as it helps them to respect big animals.

 

[Equine_Dream]

Reminds me of a rather funny now but wasn't funny at the time moment from a few years ago. My husband and I were out riding. Both our normally well mannered horses were acting like bouncy loonies. We thought we would take them for a nice long uphill gallop. Before we were about to let them go we spotted two joggers up ahead. Que two snorting stamping bucking asshats prancing sideways behind the joggers. When we got close enough (having lost all feeling in our lower arms) we called out "excuse us please" joggers turned and looked a bit startled and scooted to the side of the track. That was it horses tanked off at break neck speed. Husband in front called out a cheery "thank you" as we hurtled passed followed by me "I'm so sorry...really sorry ...." flying by on my mare.
We were both completely mortified. What must they have thought of us!!
Further along the ride they actually caught us up while we were letting the idiots cough sorry horses cool off in the river. We apologised again for nearly flattening them and both saw the funny side thankfully 0_0

 

[PurBee]

Impatient drivers is an issue on the roads full stop.

Where I used to live there was a terrible accident where an impatient driver overtook at a stupid place (hidden dip in the road) and went head first into a lorry (that was in the dip). It was carnage as you can imagine with a head on collision between a car and a lorry. The poor lorry driver did nothing wrong. Car driver died and passengers had life changing injuries.

i agree - the level of impatience has increased. Just between car drivers - there’s so many that want to zoom around everywhere they go.
I’m on rural, very twisty bendy, bumpy, pot-holed very rural irish roads, the speed limit is 100km/h - it’s impossible to drive that fast on such roads, that barely are wide enough for 2 cars to pass. The fastest you can drive safely on such roads is around 50mph on the straight parts. Yet there’s often someone hugging your car’s butt to try to force you to go faster, or overtake on a bend.

The logging lorries use these narrow roads too - so your forced to drive on the verge and hope youre not heading into a hidden ditch. Have got stuck many times.

Once we were bringing back a huge 16’ trailer of peat with a 4x4, going slow, bright lights on at dusk and some guy on a bend, didnt slow down and scraped the entire side of his car along the length of the trailer. It made an almighty sound....and he didn’t stop afterwards....zoomed off!

Due to this, even on a bombproof plod, i’d never go on roads on horseback anymore.

There’s just less respect on the roads for all road users than there used to be. Thankfully though there’s still some very considerate drivers, and it restores my faith in humanity to experience them!!

 

[stormox]

I do tend to ride at least a metre in from the gutter - I think it is easier for drivers to see me, especially on a bend, I think drivers tend to slow down more, rather than just whizzing by, and it gives me a bit of leeway to move over if necessary if I'm not given enough room.
I always nod thank you at considerate drivers although I am not sure they always see me if theyr passing from behind.