Letter in this months Horse Magazine

[Capriole]

Why have H&H printed that? Surely it's a p*** take, and whoever wrote it is probably laughing their socks off.

Next stop, a co-written article on road safety with the Bertie Bassett woman.

 

[Marydoll]

Marydoll, mate, just do exactly the same. Record the noises that upset your horse then bore him to death by playing it back to him each and every day then go and record some more and keep repeating as necessary; very easy solution but it usually works, same goes for clippers. If he's scared of plastic bags then hang some up in his stable. Just think and ask yourself what he's scared off then replicate it as many times as you can.

I know what youre saying, but it doesnt work, at home ive got lorries come in and are filled with stuff that makes a wooshing noise while theyre sitting on a weighbridge right at the side of my arena. It happend daily while im schooling, I have air brakes go off, reversing beepers, gravelly type substances poured from a big bucket into deep lorries that make the most horrendous wooshing noises .... Doesnt bat an eyelid at it, i can lead/ride her past tractors turning over or going past me ... Doesnt bat an eyelid, walking her to the field, lorries pass, no problems, at an event, lorries starting next to her, airbrakes etc, couldnt care less, will happily let it all wash over her, take her noto the road, and for whatever reason, she will jump, have a wee hissy fit on the spot, not uncontrollable, but could be unpredictable, does my box in

 

[Nic]

Hmm pee take, that name is too close to Ron Weasley. My bet is its Jeremy Clarkson

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

I am about to state the obvious here, but I feel that as H&H have printed such tripe, then perhaps the editors need to have the obvious stated:-

My horse, and most I can think of actually, are not frightened of a passing car, it's the scary child squeeling and jumping behind the hedge, or the driveway with a leaf blower in, or the cat leaping onto a fence, or the pheasants fluttering out of the hedge, etc, etc....

Horses are animals of flight, and it's generally things that take them by suprise that cause them to jump outwards, so if most of these randon and unpredictable scares are likely to come from a hedge or a driveway that the horse is being asked to walk closely past, then if the horse feels threatened its instinct is to flee into in the opposite direction, ie into the road. Obviously the rider can give the horse confidence and encourage it to ignore the things that might worry it, but there'll always be the odd occasion!

When a car slows down and passes me at a wide distance I really apreciate that.

If every driver assumed that horses were only frightened of cars and that they'd all been trained to accept them (which most, including all my horses do anyway) and that it was OK to drive past fast and close, there'll be a hell of a lot of accidents

 

[Nic]

I am about to state the obvious here, but I feel that as H&H have printed such tripe, then perhaps the editors need to have the obvious stated:-

Not H&H, Horse Magazine, slightly more inclined to print tripe

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

Not H&H, Horse Magazine, slightly more inclined to print tripe

Oops. Sorry H&H !!!

 

[Star_Chaser]

I bet he doesn't slow down for cyclists or children either and beeps the learner driver.

 

[AprilBlossom]

Marydoll, do you think it could be a bit of a subconscious tensing up on your part because you're out on the road thats affecting your horse's behaviour when out?

If in the school you are your normal self and ignore the 'everyday' occurring noises, but out you yourself are even slightly more tense, your horse surely will think 'uh oh, if mum's worried I had better run away!'

 

[Flame_]

My horse only spins when cars splash water up from road spray. How do I fix this one when he's fine as long as the roads aren't wet? Its certainly nothing to do with me tensing up because its raining, I like rain.

It is not unreasonable for cars to have to pass horses slowly, and they should have to, it shouldn't be some sort of favor, the same way they have to respect speed limits in built up areas which are necessary to protect vulnerable road users.

Peeves me right off that just because there are houses in an area, non-motorists are protected from fast cars by speed limits motorists have to respect, even if there are footpaths and good visibility, but on country lanes with high hedges, blind bends, no footpaths and barely wide enough for two cars to pass one another, its perfectly legal for cars to tear-arse about past horses, cyclists and pedestrians at only 10mph slower than they're allowed to go on a motorway! It is not fair!

 

[Goldenstar]

My horse only spins when cars splash water up from road spray. How do I fix this one when he's fine as long as the roads aren't wet? Its certainly nothing to do with me tensing up because its raining, I like rain.

It is not unreasonable for cars to have to pass horses slowly, and they should have to, it shouldn't be some sort of favor, the same way they have to respect speed limits in built up areas which are necessary to protect vulnerable road users.

Peeves me right off that just because there are houses in an area, non-motorists are protected from fast cars by speed limits motorists have to respect, even if there are footpaths and good visibility, but on country lanes with high hedges, blind bends, no footpaths and barely wide enough for two cars to pass one another, its perfectly legal for cars to tear-arse about past horses, cyclists and pedestrians at only 10mph slower than they're allowed to go on a motorway! It is not fair!

You have to drive at an apporiate speed for the conditions and hazards so it may be not illegal in under the speed regulations but it not quite ture that no sanction exists agaisnst drivers who behave in an inappropriate manner.
It not fair ! What's the issue with pedestrians they know what cars are and cyclists too my horses have no issues with it either because they accept my leadership and are trained that this is what they need to accept that's not to say I don't think some drivers are pratts they are but I would rather depend on my ability to train my horses rather than a "law" .

 

[Marydoll]

Marydoll, do you think it could be a bit of a subconscious tensing up on your part because you're out on the road thats affecting your horse's behaviour when out?

If in the school you are your normal self and ignore the 'everyday' occurring noises, but out you yourself are even slightly more tense, your horse surely will think 'uh oh, if mum's worried I had better run away!'

Ive thought this myself, and having been involved in a road accident with horses before, thought it might be subconscious, but tbh i dont think so, as it doesnt really bother me being on the road and have no other problems with traffic, the only thing that freaks her knickers is the air brakes on lorries on the road, but not at home or on the show field ....., weird

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

My horse is excellent in traffic. when we hacked to shows last year, we passed on allsorts- rode past busy tips, past a tractor towing a vintage car with lights flashing, lorries, etc BUT it's the stupid things that scare horses like a leaf or a cow that looks at them funny.

When we got off the busy roads onto the country lane, my horse started spooking at the craziest things like a rhubarb leaf at the side of the road or a traffic cone sticking out of the hedge.

That's why cars have to pass wide and slow in case horses spook at the unexpected like a stray blade of grass!!!

 

[Cortez]

I think you are perhaps missing the point here; the average modern person knows NOTHING about horses - they don't realise that the things they are doing are potentially causing the reactions (like the gentleman starting his car engine right next to your horses, etc.). They also don't realise how dangerous horses can be. So, rather than getting angry at the "stupid" car drivers, if you want to ride on the road you must be responsible for you and your horses actions. If you cannot control your horses, don't go on the road. And NEVER expect car drivers/cyclists/whatever to think like a horseperson - they cannot.

 

[Marydoll]

I think you are perhaps missing the point here; the average modern person knows NOTHING about horses - they don't realise that the things they are doing are potentially causing the reactions (like the gentleman starting his car engine right next to your horses, etc.). They also don't realise how dangerous horses can be. So, rather than getting angry at the "stupid" car drivers, if you want to ride on the road you must be responsible for you and your horses actions. If you cannot control your horses, don't go on the road. And NEVER expect car drivers/cyclists/whatever to think like a horseperson - they cannot.

Sorry but i disagree, they can think like a horse person, its called education and should be part of learning to drive. All drivers know a child can be unpredictable, or a dog thats loose can run in front of them, if they are capable of driving they can surely understand horses are unpredictable, and to pass wide and slow isnt rocket science. Horse riding is a growing industry, its not going away, so more needs to be done to educate drivers, yes we and our horses are vulnerable on the road, but if a driver seen the aftermath of a horse through a windscreen thats killed a driver, they will see the benefits to passing wide and slow understanding why you should do so.
There is so little space for horses and riders now many have no option but to ride on or near roads to get to safer hacking

 

[TrasaM]

If that's the case then the remedy is entirely down to you to get him used to them at home. Record every car/lorry/bus/train starting up, crank the volume up and play the tape to him each and every day; he'll soon get used to it.
You do have the remedy yourself but obviously just haven't got around to doing anything about it.

It's my friends horse, not mine and I don't think that waiting for a horse to pass before starting the engine is a big ask. Anyhow I satisfied my ire with a glare nothing more. However I'll tell his owner and see if we can get him an mp3 player and some earphones so we can start desensitising him immediately. Or maybe I'll just sing to him

 

[MileAMinute]

I've always ensured my horses are used to traffic, and am lucky atm with my youngster as we are on a working farm so he meets everything from tractors to rattly trailers.

My only beef on the roads is the speed in which people come past me, and that is the only time I get defensive. If a horse of mine did decide to have an issue with a car or whatever, that's my issue, but if I don't have the time to sort it out due to them not taking care when passing, I'm afraid that makes it their problem too!

 

[Sussexbythesea]

I think you are perhaps missing the point here; the average modern person knows NOTHING about horses - they don't realise that the things they are doing are potentially causing the reactions (like the gentleman starting his car engine right next to your horses, etc.). They also don't realise how dangerous horses can be. So, rather than getting angry at the "stupid" car drivers, if you want to ride on the road you must be responsible for you and your horses actions. If you cannot control your horses, don't go on the road. And NEVER expect car drivers/cyclists/whatever to think like a horseperson - they cannot.

No horse is totally predictable or totally controllable unless it is a rocking horse!

The Highway Code specifies what drivers should do passing a horse. Whilst a driver may not understand the full nature of a horse they should be following the code.

214

Animals. When passing animals, drive slowly. Give them plenty of room and be ready to stop. Do not scare animals by sounding your horn, revving your engine or accelerating rapidly once you have passed them. Look out for animals being led, driven or ridden on the road and take extra care. Keep your speed down at bends and on narrow country roads. If a road is blocked by a herd of animals, stop and switch off your engine until they have left the road. Watch out for animals on unfenced roads.

215

Horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles. Be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles especially when overtaking. Always pass wide and slowly. Horse riders are often children, so take extra care and remember riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider. Look out for horse riders’ and horse drivers’ signals and heed a request to slow down or stop. Take great care and treat all horses as a potential hazard; they can be unpredictable, despite the efforts of their rider/driver.

 

[MileAMinute]

It is also worth noting that quite a few horse riders use no arm signals when riding, and similarly some drivers don't know what they mean - many a time I've asked a car to slow down and it hasn't. I suppose it could be pure ignorance too.

 

[Littlelegs]

The difficulty is, that while drivers should slow down & pass wide, many don't. The knowledge I'm legally in the right won't make me feel any better if either pony, myself, or worst still my child is hurt. Therefore its up to me to be as certain as I can that anything I hack is either safe or gets to be very quick. If they can't cope with everyday noises like engines starting then really I think its in the riders interests to teach them asap.
This evening we were hacking down one side of a road, some moron was coming towards us a few hundred metres away. A car with a rattling gardening trailer passed wide but not very slow, then shortly after the moron. Morons horse came racing towards us at a mad trot. Neither of ours bothered, I told the rider to slow down, & received a bs explanation of horse being scared etc. So because she couldn't control her own horse, she thought it was ok to charge past myself & my 7yr old on ours. So not ok for something to scare hers, but ok to take the risk of causing an accident to someone else. Ours were fine but that's really not the point. If all three of us had been crap riders on spooky horses, rather than just her, I imagine the outcome might have been very different.

 

[Trinity Fox]

I have to admit I have not read all replies sounds a bit like this letter was a joke but even so, most of ours are good in traffic because they have had to be, they also have dogs chasing them, traffic being dangerous machinery being inconsiderate.

We tend to just ignore it little you can do we are all experienced riders and I am hacking newly broken horses at the moment.

While I do not expect anyone to stop their daily going ons because I am on a horse we do have right of way on a road and people should slow down.

It does worry me one of the youngsters will be spoiled by being frightened, it always amazes me people feel the need to drive like this or let their dogs chase horses etc.

I always drive carefully not just for horses but for cyclists people animals of any kind.

Why would you risk causing an accident, are you really in that much of a hurry, I have one who is scared of traffic he charges off and climbs walls to get away from fast traffic fine with slow, it still does not stop people we pass on a regular basis I do wonder what they are thinking it says so much about society that they cannot slow down in their car for a couple of seconds for be it a horse person dog or whatever it may be.

I think it is about being considerate and today's society is not for anyone not just towards horses.

 

[tallyho!]

Good luck to him! Ha!

I would say I spend a lot of time and energy desensitising my horse to things. M was what you could call bombproof. Nothing bothered him, nor me, in traffic. Not even buses with those loud air brakes. Could ride through herds of cattle with them jostling and jumping behind us, not a sideways glance. He would just yawn away and knew how to keep calm.

Then one day, riding up the hill on our usual route, where a footpath rises above us on the left, a dog charged at the railings snarling, barking and teeth bared. This never happens and even took me by surprise! I thought it was going to jump over!! So yes... He spooked!!!! I spooked!! Ran sideways into the path of oncoming traffic coming downhill! He calmed down immediately when he saw it was just a dog and we apologised and carried on as normal.

Hope his course teaches him to deal with that!!!!!

 

[Kenzo]

Or is the drivers that get hacked off because when they see a horse n rider in the village they actually have to slow down to the speed limit that they should be doing anyway? .....hmmm probably so the majority of the time.

 

[ribbons]

Cortez and maesfen are quite right ( cant quote on phone)
Horses will become accustomed to anything if exposed to it enough. Think horses in battle (war horse, cowboys and Indians) horses in films ( again war horse and westerns) police horses and ceremonial horses (royal events etc)
Obviously the rider is the key, mostly it's the rider that's worried about the traffic etc, so as the horses leader you are telling him danger is around so he is ready to take fight in an instant. I know plenty of posters will dispute this. But until that FACT is accepted some horses and their owners will always be at risk from anything from a bag to a bus.

 

[Marydoll]

Cortez and maesfen are quite right ( cant quote on phone)
Horses will become accustomed to anything if exposed to it enough. Think horses in battle (war horse, cowboys and Indians) horses in films ( again war horse and westerns) police horses and ceremonial horses (royal events etc)
Obviously the rider is the key, mostly it's the rider that's worried about the traffic etc, so as the horses leader you are telling him danger is around so he is ready to take fight in an instant. I know plenty of posters will dispute this. But until that FACT is accepted some horses and their owners will always be at risk from anything from a bag to a bus.

Yep, im one who will dispute this, horses are shaped by many things in their lives, not all good, depending on this, try as you might you'll not get every horse to accept things, though in the main barring horses with issues, i agree de sensitising can work well