Horse and carriages - what does your horse do if he see's one?

Toffee_monster

Toffee_monster

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Wondered what other peoples views were on this.
I carriage drive rather than ride (although i have ridden for years) and have had a few incidents with people that seem very unhappy with drivers.

The first was when i meant a woman on a big old hunter on a village road, she shouted for me to stop which of course i did anyway, but then asked if i could turn around and go the other way, im afraid i said no but stoood quietly on the verge to allow her past, her horse wasnt in the least bit bothered but she said i was very inconsiderate for exercising my horse around those roads ?????

Next, I was talking to a local stud worker the other day about a show we were planning on attending and she suddenly went funny, saying that it was a horse and carriage in a nearby part of the show ground that stopped her winning XXX show last year and she hoped not to see us this year or she would not be happy....

Then today i was exercising harry out round the lanes (in a quiet bit not near riders) and i started hearing shouting "JACK JACK STOP" , so i slowed harry to a walk and slowly went past the field, only to see a woman clinging onto a horse with the saddle round its belly trying to tack up with horse tied up to her car towbar just inside the field. I apologised for spooking her horse and asked if she was ok, she gave me a death stare and ignored me :whoops:

Not sure what i am meant to do to be honest ? I have as much right to exercise my pony than riders, and the horses on the yard are not bothered by us, although i know what its like as my old mare was scared stiff of horse and carts, but that was my problem.

So, what are your views ? I exercise at times when most are at work so i try my best, but some people seem very agitated by our prescence (although most love seeing us out and about and i have more people stop and say how lovely it is to see us out)

Im expecting to get slated here ........ ?
 
Well, I get the same sort of thing from a local riding centre owner, I drive a 4 wheel carriage, none of the horses on my yard care!!in fact my sons out with me on his tb chestnut mare, she goes in front or behind! Now if any horse would have a hissy fit at a carriage it would have been her, but she is fine, the riding school owner , if we pass on the lane or bridle path she mutters away, death stares! And tels her riders to be carefully xxxxx will spook ect, they never have. Dog owners have been ok too . It's a horse!! Not a monster breathing fire, ! Granted its pulling a carriage, have never been told to turn round or not go to a show though. If other horse riders are introduced to the horse and carriage slowly as we did with all the horses on our yard,then they are fine. I just wont drive out in wet weather cos cars stopping distance is reduced and am afraid of being run into.
 
I sincerely hope you don't get slated, TM, you have just as much right to be out and about, whether in the countryside or at a show as anyone else.

My first pony was a nightmare around anything being dragged behind another pony - didn't it know it was about to KILL that pony :D:D:D

My horse isn't at all bothered, but was broken to harness in his youth apparently.

So long as people driving are aware that non-driven horses can be a bit funny and slow down or are prepared to stop if possible, it's our (non drivers) responsibility to get round you. I would rather remove myself if it's so bad to let you past than ask you to remove yourself from me.

Ignore those ignorant and rude people you've encountered and continue having fun with your driving is my opinion :o
 
I've not met a horse and carriage, but I've met a tonne of weird bike-contraptions.
Ned isn't sure, but will go past.
To be honest, those people you've come across sound VERY rude! You were polite and you stopped, they can't ask for much more! People do expect the world to revolve around them and their horse, don't they?!
 
No problem at all. Whilst it is polite if a horse is scared to stop for a quick look, I think its more common now for people not to bother bombproofing ridden horses. I've been tutted at before now for leading a shetland & 'scaring' someone's horse. I plan on driving daughters pony when outgrown, & whilst I'd always stop to let a young or nervous horse look, I would make my opinion quite clear if anyone objected. But don't take it personally, you only have to read some posts on here to get the impression some riders think the world should stop for them riding past, eg scary toddlers, prams etc. Just enjoy it!
 
My lad is totally fine with them. Doesn't mind at all. I've had them trotting past me and coming up behind and he is chilled as anything.
 
Glad im ot the only one, i now have a 4 wheeler and thats what we were in today! Although i would never trot up behind riders, and would slow right up until they wee out of sight or i could go the other way

Ive just met some weird ones then LOL
 
I totally agree with you. You DO have as much right as we all do to exercise our horses and ponies in any way that sees fit. YOU should not be held responsible for how other horses react, unless you are driving dangerously or just recklessly. I read in good faith that you don't so no need to worry!!
It is a shame that lots of horses don't ''get'' carts/carriages, my mare included!! We always dance sideways - at speed, and act like it is some rabid lion!! But that IS our problem, and I would never dream of blaming those who drive. I don't understand how some riders could behave that badly!?!

I hope that you continue to do what you wish and don't be put off by some unnecessary comments. Go out and have fun.
 
My horse is one that you would normally expect a complete over reaction towards a horse and carriage but i ride out with my boss and her pair of ponies and 4 wheeled carriage and she couldnt give a monkeys whasits!

I can completely understand that it can be unnerving for horses that are not used to them but why should drivers always have to stop and wait for those who are on horseback?

We do a lot of hill work with the ponies and to make it up some of the hills they need to trot up... we are not trotting at people but it is so much more work for them to stop and start on some of our hills.

We are always made to feel that we are in the wrong for driving the ponies.

I do sometimes wonder if the horses are actually scared or if it is the riders creating the issue?
 
I really wouldn't take any notice of people with this sort of attitude.

There are a few who seem to think the world has to stop because they are out taking a hack with their horse.

I firmly believe that it is the owner/riders responsibility to ensure that the horse is confident in the world that they live in and is happy around all other vehicles on the road, if that is where you intend to ride.

Obviously people who speed past and brush your stirrup, or sound their horn at you are knobs, but, you have to cater for this. Horses cope well in all sorts of situations, from city centers to battlefields, but you have to take the time to ensure that they are confident. If the rider is not confident and expecting trouble, chances are they will get it.
 
My horse is a bit spooked, but has seen a few now, so I give her a kick and tell her to behave. I am very grateful that all the traps and carriages I have met have slowed to a walk to let us past and I have thanked them for that.

OP you sound very considerate to me.:)
 
Me and a friend were hacking a while ago and met a horse and carriage coming the other way. both our boys froze. lady driving the carriage kindly stopped to allow us to get our horse together and once we had passed (after some snorting) carriage lady carried on her merry way :)

IMO she had as much right to be on the road as we did.
 
Well I drive and ride and some horses are spooked when they first see a horse and carriage but really if they are well ridden they quickly accept it.
But I have come across the my horse does not accept me as leader and won't aggree when I say it's ok because I am scared and clinging on the riens when your horse in its carriage is standing obediently so I can sort myself out but it's your fault for having a horse and carriage not mine because I can't control my horse.
I smile hum to myself and ignore them now but it is a curious reaction.
I have as much right to be out and about dicing with the traffic as they do.
 
i've only had my horse five weeks and we came across one a couple of weeks ago, murphy planted for a second then walked around it really slowely while i spoke to the lady driving it, while murphy was taking his time a lady in a car decided not to wait and went through the middle of us, murphy was great and once he was passed he looked back in relief it hadn't eaten him and we were on our way, I am really pleased we come across all different things on our hacks, makes it a lot more interesting! xx:)

just wanted to add we all have one thing in common that we all love our horses so people shouldn't be rude to you!! xx
 
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My yard owner drives and sometimes I go out with her love it, my boy tends to wet himself and tries to hide behind anything he can last time it was a Shetland he is 16.1 btw so looked a little silly!!!!
I dont think driving has enough coverage at all, and i for one love to horses or ponies driven.
 
My old welsh cob was not remotely bothered by the army gun carriages, the private driving class or John Parkers 4 in hand.

But, the morning we met a lovely little 12h driving pony in his trap in the lanes at home my cob turned round and would have left Frankel for dead.

Work that one out !!
 
haha!! My young hunter is perfectly fine with carriages... oddly enough! :D ;)

(I drive in exercise vehicle classes and compete in HDT with my other pony)

the woman with the horse tied to the towbar is asking for trouble... if the lady is concerned about her horse at the show then if she can't desensitise it, she should maybe check schedules and avoid shows with driving classes :D

My hunter is going under harness this year (shock horror... i NEVER tell the judges that in his classes!) and was sent to a driving yard for 6 weeks as a yearling- he was put in the stable that they put too outside, and had carriages past his nose twice a day. at his first show as a yearling, i sought out the drivers and stood and chatted to them in the warm up- then stood by the ring with him while the classes were on. It is up to ME to desensitise my horse, and if something spooks him badly enough to affect his placings you can bet your bottom dollar he'll meet it every day from then on until he's chilled.

As a driver, ill happily slow/stop if i see anything approaching that we may cause problems to- horses, dogs off leads etc etc, and help the rider along if they want to introduce the horse to the carriage etc- i think we all do- apart from the lovely lads on sulkies up here... Poor Ru looks longingly at them as it would be sooo much easier to pull than my 4 wheeler! :p
 
My 2 have only seen a horse & scurry?? (the little carts used with trotters) from the yard but both flipped out lol. I do dread meeting the "horse with wheels" on the road and I only hope the driver will be as considerate as you sound so it's a pleasant experience the youngster and I.

You really do have as much right to use the roads as any one else :)
 
I would have the opposite problem in that I'm not sure I could keep mine away! Mine has driven in his past life and gets a bit carried away with remembering how much fun it is!

Like with everything a bit different on the road if I found out one of my horses was spooked by it I would know it was something to desensitise them to. You have every right to be on the road! Don't let anyone make you feel bad about having fun with your horses in whatever way you wish. Maybe you could offer to educate these people and take them out for a trip they might become converts :-)
 
AdorableAlice said:
My old welsh cob was not remotely bothered by the army gun carriages, the private driving class or John Parkers 4 in hand.

But, the morning we met a lovely little 12h driving pony in his trap in the lanes at home my cob turned round and would have left Frankel for dead.

Work that one out !!
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It's because it's a pony I bought a Tb last August apart from being mildly surprised when he saw what his new equine friends do for a living the first time he keep looking at the others as if to say is Charlie ok but he was cool with it until my friend arrived driving a 12.2 grey welshy that was the end of the world but he's used to small white visitors now.
 
Only met a horse and carriage once whilst on horseback - and it was a very brief encounter, as my loan horse took off sharpish in the opposite direction and it took me a fair while to get enough control to convince horse to run steadily rather than blindly (slowing down didn't seem to be an option!). This panic definitely came from the horse - I would have liked the carriage to go past us so I could have looked at it and admired the gorgeous horse pulling it!

To be fair to my horse though, said carriage was FLYING along the road (horse was managing to keep up with our fast canter whilst trotting!). The carriage was a very low slung affair, bit like the one in this link .

I was utterly terrified :( It's one of the very few times during a ride when the thought "we might actually die here" has gone through my head!


HOWEVER, whilst I think the man was a total moron for not slowing down/offering to help/doing SOMETHING other than racing along singing merrily away to himself, there's no way I'd tar all drivers with the same brush as that's no different to car driving really - yes some people are idiots and shouldn't be on the road, most are safe and fine; generalising doesn't work.
OP I'm really saddened to hear you've had unpleasant reactions which you didn't provoke at all. :(

I can understand people being disappointed if they lost a show, say, because their horse spooked at a carriage (I think someone mentioned this earlier). But that's tough luck, unfortunately, and part of showing horses - it could have just have easily been a kid with a balloon, a person with an umbrella, etc - and you wouldn't dream of saying to people watching "Now, none of you are allowed to put up your umbrellas should it start to rain!" on your way into the show ring!

Totally agree with those saying they have the right to enjoy what they do with their horse just as much as those that are riding.
 
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We've got a lady in the village who drives and I've met her out on hacks a number of times. While my mare will stop to have a little look and take it all in tbh I think shes more bothered by the horse/pony pulling than the actual cart itself! She always gives a little whicker if we meet any other horses out on hacks :)
 
No slating from me.

However there is something about horses pulling something, be it a buggy or hearse. All the horses, even our old completely unflappable mare would at the very least grow 2 hands when she saw one. Most of the time they seemed to spot them before we did :D

I would never ask someone to turn round, or death stare at anyone. Bottom line is it isn't really your responsibility if someone elses horse can't cope. There is only so much you can do to alleviate the situation!
 
My boy isn't bothered at all luckily as he does drive lol

I was walking a friends horse, part of his driving pair and we met a pair of ponies, poor horse grew to about 30 hands :-) luckily he's a bit more chilled about it now
 
Toffee_monster said:
The first was when i meant a woman on a big old hunter on a village road, she shouted for me to stop which of course i did anyway, but then asked if i could turn around and go the other way, im afraid i said no but stoood quietly on the verge to allow her past, her horse wasnt in the least bit bothered but she said i was very inconsiderate for exercising my horse around those roads ?????
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I've posted this before but it really annoyed me so I'm posting it here again, lol.

I once caught up with a girl leading her horse along a lane with one of the driving ponies. She shouted me to stop, which I did, then she turned round and carried on walking at a snails pace, so I set off again. She then shouted "Can you get back, he doesn't like them?" I said, "Well I need to come past you". Her, "He's been on box rest for weeks, you can't come past, he'll go mental, you'll have to wait or go back."
Me, "You've just walked past a gateway that you could have pulled into. I will happily keep still while you come back and walk past me, which is what I thought you would do when I stopped for you. One way or another, I am trotting down this road. either you can turn round for a sec and pass me, or I will be passing you, your horse's box rest is not my problem."

OK, she got me on a bad day, and I don't like being told what to do, but it really annoyed me that she thought her horse's freshness and her inability to manage it were somehow reason to control traffic and it pushed my awkward button.

It didn't end very well. She got in a flap and started running down the road with this horse (I wasn't right up their backside or anything) horse starts jumping about and she lets its lunge line out, it kicks her and she starts screaming at me. The driving pony's just stood there while her horse is losing the plot. Fortunately, a car coming past was going to this woman's livery yard. Passenger takes the loopy horse and screaming woman gets in the car. Passenger walks no longer loopy horse straight past the carriage and back home. Stupid woman for bringing such a fresh horse out in hand anyway but had she just circled round past me in the first place it should have been drama free.

Incidentally, my arab riding horse is a bit puzzled by carriages but their presence isn't the end of the world.
 
Lucky enough to have a small pony and trap on our yard. The owner has been practising obstacles In the field next to my ( young) horse. He is not bothered but his best friend who is considerably older is never happy!

I did have one who viewed pony and cart in any form as straight from the devil. Tbh it was a lot safer to simply change my mind about our route and exit!
 
Whilst out hacking with my daughter some years ago, a horse & cart came out of the pub car park that we were just about to pass, my daughters horse spun round and proceeded to bolt along the road, my horse duly followed, daughters horse hates them !!!
 
My horse is never happier than when we trot behind my friend in her pony and trap! He is simply so relaxed and enjoys the whole experience!

My previous loan horse was terrified and bolted whenever we encountered a horse and trap, but I always viewed that as my problem, not the driver! However, when we met my friend with her pony and trap she called out to him and I managed to get him past fine.

In my opinion you sound extremely courteous and the horse riders you are encountering could do with a few manners.
 
My horse's first experience of driven horses, was on the road where we had a huge white carriage being pulled by a stunning pair of grey shires with full wedding memrobelia, plumes and bells!

It was pretty worrying I must say especially as we had a bus up our backside as well and the carriage took up the whole of one side of the road! But apart from shouting hello to his new friends, climbing into the hedge and waving to the bride to be (who found it rather amusing) all was fine and we lived to see another day!
 
Reallyninteresting reading these replies and i am glad that i haven't been slated, i love what me and my boy do and have high hopes for him, there are obviosuly just some self righteous people around me :)

I will carry on and enjoy regardless, but will of course stay considerate :)
 
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