Hacking

[MyLuckyStar]

Do you ride two a breast or single file??


Over the last two days I've took two young girls (ones 12 and ones 11) out hacking - it was a mixture of country lanes, main roads and bridle paths. Now on the narrow lanes we always ride in single file (unless theres a grass verge and we may ride in double) unless theres a reason , i.e. large noisy vehicles, obstacles that we know the horses will spook at. Sometimes we have to ride two abreast as Sox has a habit of jogging sideways up the road so to keep him straight I have another horse next to me.

Now on a few occasions we’ve been told to move over, or to ride single file but when speaking to the police they’ve suggested we do ride two abreast when suitable. The one time we were told to move over on Monday we were on a national speed limit road and a woman in a 4x4 was behind us whilst the cars coming towards us were slowing down to pass us, when there was space she sped past us telling us to move over, I just smiled politely and carried on.

I’ve even considered photocopying the page in the Highway code and handing it to motorists when they moan at us!

 

[mynutmeg]

It depends on the situation, generally I will go single file on most roads (some of the single track roads round us we use all the road when in a group as it slows traffic right down until there is a safe place for us to pull into - they are too narrow for cars to pass) but in your situation I would have the children on the inside and a steady horse 'sheilding' them from traffic

 

[tessybear]

Depends really, on busier roads we tend to go single file but most of them near us are quiet so we go two a row untill a car comes then i dart infront

 

[JustKickOn]

Two abreast, backs the traffic off a lot more, unless its on a narrow bit of road or there's a tractor/lorry passing.

 

[justmyluck99]

Two abreast unless on a main road!

 

[ameeyal]

Single file all the time, unless its a very quite road, but as soon as a car appearers its back to single file.

 

[JackAT]

Usually single file. Never really thought about it, plus in mid winter, there can often be arguments (between the equines, not humans) if one tries to come up alongside the other or even take over (dominant mare syndrome...)

 

[Elsiecat]

Single file round bends or narrow roads. Two abreast on straights where driver enjoy wizzing past!

 

[PandorasJar]

Depends on road, horses and riders.

If clear and can see well ahead and behind with friends, 2 and then get single file/passing space well ahead of any car being close.
If young/nervous horse or rider would only go on roads safe to do this and keep them on the inside until at a safe passing space.

If corners/not clear road/typical country road around here, single file and ready to get up onto a verge etc with no warning. Anything blind would take at a trot too.

 

[MrsNorris]

Always single file, drivers round here get proper p****d off with you if you ride 2 abreast. Its just not worth the abuse, and they tend to drive more aggressively if they think you're taking up too much of the road. Its safer just to tuck in and let them pass.

 

[Girlracer]

Single file unless on a busy main road, as i find if you're single file they'll try and squeeze past even if there's something coming. And it tends to slow them down a bit more.