Hacking Nightmare Today

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sea_view

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Well, so much for a nice quiet hack with a pal today. My friend has a new horse and is understandably a bit nervous about hacking out so I trailered up with Paddy who hacks all the time for a wee hack out.

Now, I always wear hi viz and round my local area roads are busy so I am used to idiotic drivers who go too fast etc etc. So, off we set on our hack, lovely quiet roads hardly anyone passing so it was a rare treat for me! Anyway, on the home straight, nervous pal feeling great and up behind us on the single track road comes a car, now the verges at the side were non exsitant so there was nowhere to go adn rather than waiting until we found a suitable place for him to pass he decide to try and overtake and drove straight into the back of my friends horse takng off his wingmirror in the process. He then stops the car, takes his headphones out his ears and asks who is liable for this!!!! I nearly exploded - eh well, you have just driven into the back of the horse, I think you will find it is you!!!

Oh, I really despair at the lack of education in regards to passing horses on the road, so I am currently emailing our local paper to see if they can run an awareness article on it!

Horse and rider were both fine, just shaken up x
 
Well to be truthful we were so glad that horse and rider were both ok we never even thought to.

Would you just call to log the incident?
 
After my accident,(car hit us, which killed my horse) i have had lots of the horse mags contact me asking for me to do a feature in the mags about safety in riding on the road, i.e rididng in single file, hi-vis, etc. Like I pointed out to all of them, I had done all of that, and these acticles really need to be put into the driving magazines. I passed my test some years ago, so i am not sure, but are learner drivers instructed on how to pass a horse on the road? You would think its common sense, but what is the point of writing an article in a horse mag about safety for riders on the road, when its the drivers that are the ones making it dangerous?
 
Benson21, I have just written to my local newspaper to see if they will un an article on general 'how to cope in your car if you see a horse' so hopefully that wll hapen. I am so sorry to hear that your horse was killed. :(
 
S_V thank goodness no major injury sustained by rider or horse. I think as others mentioned just worth logging with your local police even if you didn't get the registration number. And getting in touch with the local paper for an article is a good idea.

And agree Benson21, the articles on it need to get to those who do the damage! Those sorts of articles in driving magazines would be good. We have a new monthly local magazine for my village and the neighbouring one and in its first issue they had a page for riders and drivers - as lots of people hack all round here constantly - it was entitled "A Plea to Horse Riders and Motorists". Hi-Viz and politeness and patience were highlighted. Plus like yours, a heartbreaking story from one woman who lost her horse after they were hit by a car. Hopefully its target audience did read it...
 
S_V - I'm so glad that horse and rider were all right!! What an idiot that driver is:mad::mad:

This is exactly why I never feel happy about my lot hacking out on the roads. The village is quiet, they wear Hi-Viz, and yet motorists insist on driving up the hill (a 40mph speed limit) at the fastest speeds possible!!:eek::eek:

I also agree that the education should begin with the motorists and not the Horse Community, who, you would hope, are well aware of the dangers on the road, and how to pass horses safely:(:(
 
What a horrible incident! So glad no one was hurt, but it must have been scary and I can imagine both rider and horse will be shook up about traffic for a while - what a shame!

Benson21 so sorry to hear about your horse! You are right, it's the motorists that should be better educated.
 
Sea_view - I’m so glad to hear that you are all in one piece.

Here in Sussex we can report dangerous and intimidating driving on the roads.
Operation Crackdown is Sussex Police’s initiative to identify and deal with those who drive dangerously and inconsiderately.

"Driving in a manner that alarms horses is incredibly dangerous, not only for the horse and rider, but also for the driver. Consideration must be given to all road users. .Do not suffer the effects of dangerous and thoughtless driving in silence.
With Operation Crackdown the power is in your hands to report it and you can do so by either calling the Crackdown Hotline on 01243 64 22 22 or by visiting www.operationcrackdown.org"

There must be a Crackdown Hotline in your area, so contact your local Community Support Officer and put the Hotline no. in your mobile.

Benson21 – so very sorry to hear your news – was wondering how you are these days. Have you been getting many visitors now that you are at home.
 
You know what would really have an impact? A serious slot on Top Gear, fully supported by Jeremy Clarkson.
(Pigs... fly... I know...).
 
What a great idea.

I have looked on the BBC Top Gear website and have only found a feedback form.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/feedback/

Perhaps we should all start by addressing this to the producers as 'A Plea to Motorists from Horse Riders' - the need to slow down - the dangers whilst out on the roads for horse riders, cyclists, walkers etc.
And hopefully could bring in BHS, a driving instructor, someone who's lost their horse by a tragic road traffic accident whilst out hacking and the Police - whereby we can now ‘report dangerous and intimidating drivers’ on the roads.

I think the studio is at Dunsfold Aerodrome.
 
I think perhaps the best way to get the message to motorists perhaps is to let them see just how much damage a horse on your windscreen can do, and the potential life threatening implications to the driver/passengers in the car. Most people don't seem to care about anyone but themselves - least of all some 'toffs' on horses :rolleyes:

I can do everything I can to avoid a car, but if one comes flying round a blind bend etc, I have nowhere to go, doesn't matter how much hivis I'm wearing. I have had to trot downhill before when I've heard a car coming fast - which is not exactly ideal on the road, but I'd rather risk a slip than something worse....

Its not just non-horsey people though, yesterday at a competition, I watched someone reverse their trailer to park it next to someone elses, reversing into the pony tied to the neighbouring trailer:eek:

Poor pony had to hop round the side ramp to avoid being hit :mad:

(I was in the cafe and too slow on the uptake to do anything.....)
 
Idiots. Definatley worth mentioning it to the police.

I had an incident with some boy racers about 18 months ago. Hacking along quiet main road. Could hear car come up behind me. First they beeped at me - I was behind cycle path lines so not in their way. Then they decided it would be funny to floor it past me in an attempt to scare horse. Sadly it went wrong & he clipped my lad in the process. Thankfully he is (or was) a saint on the roads & merely jumped forward onto the pavement.

I was lucky enough to have a witness who also managed to get the car reg. The lads in the car were also found to be under the influence & the car was eventually crushed.

Hope you're friends horse is ok on the roads after this - my boy (maybe as I am more paranoid now) is definatley much more jumpy than he used to be.
 
One other thing that one needs to be careful of is to avoid riding on the roads in conditions of BRIGHT LOW SUNSHINE as other road users can be temporarily blinded by the low bright sunlight. A large number of accidents where horses are hit are in these conditions. I know of at least three horses that have been killed and in one of the cases the rider was killed as well.
 
OWLIE185 said:
One other thing that one needs to be careful of is to avoid riding on the roads in conditions of BRIGHT LOW SUNSHINE as other road users can be temporarily blinded by the low bright sunlight. A large number of accidents where horses are hit are in these conditions. I know of at least three horses that have been killed and in one of the cases the rider was killed as well.
Click to expand...

If I have to ride when the conditions are like that, I choose it so I am heading east (away from the sun) so that drivers behind me can see me. Doesn't matter as much for drivers coming the other way.
 
GM a good idea but I don't think with Clarkson's on-air style they would give it the serious weight it deserves as the whole show barely tackles anything without a humourous or cynical slant. And I'd hate to see this issue turned into a joke when people and horses lives have been lost on the road but who knows I could be wrong. They made enough jokes about Richard Hammond's accident and subsequent brain injury. Anyway link below to old article from JC in 2006 which covers horses:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jeremy_clarkson/article732320.ece
 
doris2008 said:
Idiots. Definatley worth mentioning it to the police.

I had an incident with some boy racers about 18 months ago. Hacking along quiet main road. Could hear car come up behind me. First they beeped at me - I was behind cycle path lines so not in their way. Then they decided it would be funny to floor it past me in an attempt to scare horse. Sadly it went wrong & he clipped my lad in the process. Thankfully he is (or was) a saint on the roads & merely jumped forward onto the pavement.

I was lucky enough to have a witness who also managed to get the car reg. The lads in the car were also found to be under the influence & the car was eventually crushed.

Hope you're friends horse is ok on the roads after this - my boy (maybe as I am more paranoid now) is definatley much more jumpy than he used to be.
Click to expand...

Hopefully the car was crushed with the occupants still in the car :mad:
 
Guys thank you all for all your feedback. I have emailed our local newspaper but not heardback but I think the whole 'Top Gear' idea is fantastic and well worth a try. I'm willinging to give anything a go to highlight whats going on.

Thanks again :)
 
Seaview - please report this to your local police and the BHS there is a form to download on the site. The police often go round and speak to people who drive like this. I had a similar thing happen to me Saturday, i again were relfective coat and hat band. Going round a corner (luckily on a very solid horse and not my youngster) heard a car coming behind and luckily trotted a bit and got in as far as i could, this car must have been going at least 50 FFS round a bend and on a country lane, wtf was he on, I was furious and amazed he missed me. If had been walking I dread to think what would have happened. Not got full number plate but will find out who it is. Ive reported it to the police as we also had another car go past at a stupid speed later on in the ride. The police are doing some campaign, cant remb the name the lady said on the phone though.
 
Sea_view - I have found this, hopefully this will be useful:

Top Gear Online
General enquiries:
By email/telephone
tgweb@bbc.co.uk or call 020 8433 3598
By post
TopGear.com, Second Floor A, Energy Centre, Media Centre, 201 Wood Lane, W12 7TQ
Online advertising:
Contact Bernie Scranney at bernie.scranney@bbc.co.uk


Top Gear Magazine
General enquiries:
By email/telephone
queries.tgmag@bbc.co.uk or call 020 8433 3598
Letters page:
letters.tgmag@bbc.co.uk or write to Top Gear Magazine, Second Floor A, Energy Centre, Media Centre, 201 Wood Lane, W12 7TQ


Magazine advertising:
Contact Andy Cowan at andy.cowan@bbc.com
Subscriptions
By telephone
0844 848 9767
By email
topgear@servicehelpline.co.uk
By post
Top Gear, Building 800, Guillat Avenue, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8GU

Top Gear TV Programme
General enquiries:
By telephone
020 8752 4969
By email
top.gear@bbc.co.uk
By post
Top Gear programme, Second Floor A, Energy Centre, Media Centre, 201 Wood Lane, W12 7TQ
Show tickets:
Visit the Top Gear TV show’s website at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/topgear/show/participate.shtml


Richard Hamilton is the horse rider - on one of the programme he was riding (with the hunt) a coloured cob whilst Jermery Clarkson was trying out an orange coloured 4x4 (Ford I think).

If you send by post - may be better sending recorded/signed for delivery.

I did a google search and the Producer of Top Gear is Andy Warren (I think).

I hope this helps, lots of us will be behind you I'm sure - Good Luck and keep us posted.
 
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