Grrr rant about horse owners!!

[Brandy]

From another horse owner!

I am the first to say how cars and other road users should be considerate to horses on the road, and it annoys me no end when people try to squeeze past, don't slow down and don't ackowldge my 'thank you' signals (which range from a big smile and nod, to waves, verbal THANK YOU!!! etc depending on the situation)

But there is a situation which is driving me mad. A lady lives up the raod from me and owns 3 largish horses. She keeps them in a small field behind her house, and every day walks them up the road to the other field about 3/4 of a mile away. And walks them back in the evening. She takes two and her husband takes one. Down the middle of the road. Slowly.

Almost every day at one or both end of the day I come across them while driving to my own horses. Without fail, I slow down, stop and wait. For ages.

The road is small but obviously two cars can pass each other, you have to slow down and get over but it can be done.

If this lady got one of her horses on the large verge, and the other on the egde of the road, cars could get past, but she doesn't. They are very slow moving and very quiet.

Getting passed them can take 5 - 10 minutes some days!! I always smile and wave, and the bloody woman is stony faced and it annoys me!! Also, must annoy other drivers who don't have horses.

I woudl like to say somethign to her but I feel that she would just take no notice and continue to lead them down the middle of the road. Added to this, over half the distance there is a grass track running alongside the road, does she use it? She does not. She gives horse owners a bad name with car drivers I think.

So, as I said, Grrrrr.

 

[Ranyhyn]

It might be a fraught time, maybe she's nervous? (just to explain the face, I wear the same one when I'm nervous) As for the verge, I'd rather be in the road getting cars to pass me with the appropriate space, rather than on the verge where cars may well see fit to pass in their usual driving position (ie to close for comfort)

Just my observations.

 

[Brandy]

I can see your point, however, I also see her walking the two dogs, and rather than getting on the verge - which honestly, you could ride along its not at all small and bumpy, she still stands in the road, not even on the edge, and again, no nod, smile or wave. I've been living on this road for nearly a year and its every day. It just bothers me that my patience is wearing thin, so other peoples must be too and it would be me on my horse that they decide to speed past.

Really, you could ride two abreast on the grass track alongside the field, and have plenty of room, there are no hedges ditches or anything nasty to fall into - believe me I have considered this as my own boy can be nervous out hacking.

 

[Elbie]

Why don't you politely ask if she can move over in future and explain that you're a horse owner too and concerned she may come across someone who is impatient and may try to squeeze past?

 

[Brandy]

Yes that was what I was thinking about but I guess her stony facedness has put me off. I struggle with people who are so rude.

 

[cremedemonthe]

I can see your point, however, I also see her walking the two dogs, and rather than getting on the verge - which honestly, you could ride along its not at all small and bumpy, she still stands in the road, not even on the edge, and again, no nod, smile or wave. I've been living on this road for nearly a year and its every day. It just bothers me that my patience is wearing thin, so other peoples must be too and it would be me on my horse that they decide to speed past.

Really, you could ride two abreast on the grass track alongside the field, and have plenty of room, there are no hedges ditches or anything nasty to fall into - believe me I have considered this as my own boy can be nervous out hacking.

Has she got horse or dogs?

 

[Elbie]

No harm in having a quick word, you're not being unreasonable, just concerned! If she chooses to ignore it then its on her head

 

[Brandy]

Both, she and husband take 3 horses together, then she walks two dogs later on.

 

[jenki13]

One time whilst towing we came up behind 2 riders, riding abreast on a busy main road, obviously we expected them to move into single file as even going completely on the other side of the rode its still quite close to drive a trailer by a horse.
My dad pulled up alongside them (no cars coming) & gave them "what for" for being so inconsiderate! Another car driver would have probably got fed up & gone tighter round them.

 

[ossy]

One time whilst towing we came up behind 2 riders, riding abreast on a busy main road, obviously we expected them to move into single file as even going completely on the other side of the rode its still quite close to drive a trailer by a horse.
My dad pulled up alongside them (no cars coming) & gave them "what for" for being so inconsiderate! Another car driver would have probably got fed up & gone tighter round them.

TBH the first few times I took my yougster down the busier road near us I went on the inside two abreast and we didn't move into single file, my horse, although very good and done all I could training wise before going out just needed to feel a bit of protection and get her confidence on the busy bits first. The one on the outside could have been bomb proof of your trailer and the one on the inside a novice or nervy horse in training. I'm appalled at your dad's need to pull along side them with a trailer rattling on the back to shout at them and your obvious approval of what your dad did. Don't get me wrong where appropriate we are always considerate, i've used verges, driveways passing places ect and always thank people, so do consider myself considerate but there are some situations you need to keep two abreast, we are allowed. I find it much safer to be two abreast on the busier roads, as sometimes if in single file you still get people passing you bearly over the middle white line when cars are still coming in the opposite direction.

Oh and I also ride and lead out hacking too how would you like me to get into single file then?

 

[DiablosGold]

I would maybe knock on her door and ask her what times she leads her horses to the field, and then avoid those times if possible (say you're also a horse owner). This might make her realise it's an issue.

I would be annoyed too!

 

[jenki13]

TBH the first few times I took my yougster down the busier road near us I went on the inside two abreast and we didn't move into single file, my horse, although very good and done all I could training wise before going out just needed to feel a bit of protection and get her confidence on the busy bits first. the one on the outside could have been bomb proof of your trailer and the one on the inside a novice or nervy horse in training. am appalled at your dad's need to pull along side them with a trailer rattling on the back to shout at them and your obvious approval of what your dad did. Don't get me wrong where appropriate we are always considerate, i've used verges, driveways passing places ect and always thank people, so do consider myself considerate but there are some situations you need to keep two abreast, we allowed.

Oh and I also ride and lead out hacking too how would you like me to get into single file then?

Leading out whilst hacking is different, the horses do tend to be closer together. Also you say you use passing places etc when appropriate. These 2 didn't they had times where they could have pulled into driveways/ verges in order to widen the berth given by the trailer which if I had a youngster that was nervous on roads then I would take this option.
They were also sloping along, no high-viz, chatting away not a care in the world not what I'd expect of a rider of a young horse. I think there are very few cases where it is appropriate to ride 2 abreast on a road whilst you have traffic following you.

I have rode my mare out with a few youngsters on the roads by us, & have never needed to ride abreast. We take them on quiet roads to start with to get used to traffic & I find that a steady horse in front calms a nervous horse more than one which may jump sideways into said nervous horse if something unexpectedly bangs in an overtaking vehicle which has to pass right next to the "bombproof" horse because its ridden almost on the white line.

*edit for spelling*

 

[Ranyhyn]

One time whilst towing we came up behind 2 riders, riding abreast on a busy main road, obviously we expected them to move into single file as even going completely on the other side of the rode its still quite close to drive a trailer by a horse.
My dad pulled up alongside them (no cars coming) & gave them "what for" for being so inconsiderate! Another car driver would have probably got fed up & gone tighter round them.

ETA just seen the reply. I don't think based on their outward appearence you can define correctly, the underlying situation behind by they were riding two abreast. I just live in a world where I prefer to think people are doing certain things for a very good reason, rather than slating them without knowing the facts. If it was safe enough for your Dad to drive in the middle of the road chatting to them, then clearly it wasn't an issue them being two abreast.....Hey ho thats just me!

 

[ossy]

Leading out whilst hacking is different, the horses do tend to be closer together. Also you say you use passing places etc when appropriate. These 2 didn't they had times where they could have pulled into driveways/ verges in order to widen the berth given by the trailer which if I had a youngster that was nervous on roads then I would take this option.
They were also sloping along, no high-viz, chatting away not a care in the world not what I'd expect of a rider of a young horse. I think there are very few cases where it is appropriate to ride 2 abreast on a road whilst you have traffic following you. High have rode my mare out with a few youngsters on the roads by us, & have never needed to ride abreast. We take them on quiet roads to start with to get used to traffic & I find that a steady horse in front calms a nervous horse more than one which may jump sideways into said nervous horse if something unexpectedly bangs in an overtaking vehicle which has to pass right next to the "bombproof" horse because its ridden almost on the white line.

On the contray I think on busier roads it is good to ride two abreast as it forces the traffic behind to over take in a more appropriate way rather than wizing past in the middle of the road while cars are still coming in the opposite direction, which is what I find happens around us, cyclists use this method all the time. Although in few cases if I thought the need required it I would go down to single file. On quiter country lanes it different of course when the road is narrower and things I will be considerate and on down to single file and go on the verge.

 

[jenki13]

ETA just seen the reply. I don't think based on their outward appearence you can define correctly, the underlying situation behind by they were riding two abreast. I just live in a world where I prefer to think people are doing certain things for a very good reason, rather than slating them without knowing the facts. If it was safe enough for your Dad to drive in the middle of the road chatting to them, then clearly it wasn't an issue them being two abreast.....Hey ho thats just me!

This is after following said riders for 10-15mins, because my dad did not want to have to overtake too close to the outside & therefore having to wait till the road widened. If my horse is safe to pass, I would motion to the traffic that it was ok to pass not just ignore anything thats following me. It was literally just a stern telling off that they should be riding in single file & an added "high-viz" comment thrown in for good measure not a 10 min lecture I must add.

 

[Buzzby84]

She has every right to lead them where ever she feels the safest, any horse on a pavement or verge is illegale, therefore she is doing the right thing. you have no right to ask her to move, I suggest you get over it or find a different route to take.

 

[jenki13]

On the contray I think on busier roads it is good to ride two abreast as it forces the traffic behind to over take in a more appropriate way rather than wizing past in the middle of the road while cars are still coming in the opposite direction, which is what I find happens around us, cyclists use this method all the time. Although in few cases if I thought the need required it I would go down to single file. On quiter country lanes it different of course when the road is narrower and things I will be considerate and on down to single file and go on the verge.

But they are still going to be passing close if the horse is almost on the white line! As a motorcyclist myself I ride in the centre / toward the middle of the road & the amount of times I have almost been knocked off by overtaking cars is shocking. Luckily I can swerve toward the verge, I wouldn't like to put my horse in that situation & also risk the other horse being struck by my horse because it was forced to go sideways. But maybe that's just my opinion.

 

[el_Snowflakes]

No harm in having a quick word, you're not being unreasonable, just concerned! If she chooses to ignore it then its on her head

I agree...

but unfortunatly it could well be on OP's head when shes out riding her horse I totally sympathise, it really gives riders/horse people a bad name,especially as ts probably the same drivers who are inconvienienced on their way to/from work etc.

I would have a kind word with her. Explain to her that your a horse person too and comment on her lovely horses so she knows your noth being threatening. If she doesnt take notice, i would ask the police for some advice. If she is causing a nusiance/hazard for road users then Im sure they would be interested and words from them might get her to excercise a little more common sense

 

[Kenzo]

Could you not leave a polite note on her gate, asking if she doesn't mind moving over onto the verge when she's leading two horses to let cars pass when people are commuting to work etc

Gives her something to think about without perhaps putting her on the spot and yourself feeling uncomfortable in speaking to her about it, you never know it may work and it does not harm to either party in just asking.

Just an idea.

 

[Brandy]

Thats a really good idea Kenzo thanks, i hadn't thought of that. I woud normally just speak to someone in a situation like this but I can't explain just how rude she appears to be, literally barely looking in my direction even when just holding the dogs. Its an alien concept to me being as i wave and grin like a maniac if people slow down for me(waving if horse being reasonable, grinning and nodding otherwise)

The note idea is a good one, i just feel she would be totally unresponsive to me if I spoke to her, almost a year of being blanked gives me that impression!

Re riding two abreast, If I were on the road with my younger horse, I would indeed be on the inside on a busier road. One a small road I would hope for traffic to slow, then go to single file. My boy if fine with traffic, its everything else he hates!