Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
Would have to say here that if you cant control your horse well enough to stop it cantering on roads you should maybe think if you are safe to ride on the roads at all.
Met the hunt today
- Thread starter Sandstone1
- Start date
Would have to say here that if you cant control your horse well enough to stop it cantering on roads you should maybe think if you are safe to ride on the roads at all.
Grey_Eventer
Well-Known Member
A smile, nod, mouthed thankyou don't require taking your hands off the reins and the op says no one said thankyou..are you saying they were all barely under control
This is what I do- however, when driving past my hunt home, it is actually suprising how you can't see such things, or have not noticed such things!
I can control my horse very well, as can most who hunt and can stop him cantering on roads if I chose to, but when the hounds are running following a trail, the horses blood is up, and stopping a half tonne of horse is quite different in such a situation.
I think there are far more dangerous people who hack down roads. I recently passed a horse rearing and bucking on the road...should they be banned? Probably, but it is their choice.
Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
Most of the horses you mention would not canter on the roads, im not saying that they dont love hunting Im sure that most of them do.
The riders on the other hand should respect their animals and not put them in danger by cantering on roads which will ruin their legs not to mention putting themselves and other road users in danger. Dont forget this was on a public road with a 60 mile speed limit. Not a sensible place to canter.
The-mad-cat-lady
Well-Known Member
I felt agrieved with the local hunt once as they all filed past me on a small road. But when I sat and thought about it later I realised that it was because I was jealous that I didn't have the guts to be out there with them. " sad face "
L&M
Well-Known Member
Op - I am sorry that you had this experience.
Our hunt insists that we are courteous to all road users we meet, and if obstruct a public highway would get a severe b**llocking from the Masters, so please do not think that this is reflective of the manners of all hunts. We would also not canter past 'non-hunt' related traffic unless in an absolute emergency, eg trying to stop hounds running towards a main rd.
Re cantering on the road, this is part and parcel of the activity of hunting, and there is a school of thought that cantering on tarmac is actually less concussive than trotting. I follow a proper fittening programme prior to hunting and am proud to say neither of mine have had a days lamness in the last 5 seasons.
Our hunt insists that we are courteous to all road users we meet, and if obstruct a public highway would get a severe b**llocking from the Masters, so please do not think that this is reflective of the manners of all hunts. We would also not canter past 'non-hunt' related traffic unless in an absolute emergency, eg trying to stop hounds running towards a main rd.
Re cantering on the road, this is part and parcel of the activity of hunting, and there is a school of thought that cantering on tarmac is actually less concussive than trotting. I follow a proper fittening programme prior to hunting and am proud to say neither of mine have had a days lamness in the last 5 seasons.
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Grey_Eventer
Well-Known Member
No but many will be jumping on concrete ground during the summer.
Maybe riders should respect their horses and not keep them cooped up in a stable?
I don't think cycling on a road with a national speed limit is sensible either, but hey- people do!
This can go round in circles, we aren't going to agree, but I shall say this. The riders should have said thank you, they didn't. If you really are offended by this, contact the hunt.
Maybe no horse should be ridden so they are not put in a dangerous situation. I hunt my horse once/twice a week and I team chase him- as an owner and rider, I am far more worried about a slip on landing over a hedge that will break a leg. Yes, we should all look after our horses, but there is a line where it goes into excessive.
I will continue to put my "poor horse" through such dangerous situations weekly. He loves it, he is fit, he is sound and we shall go until he goes no more!
That is the way he wants it too!
Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
The thing that gets to me most, as some one who rides and owns horses and has hunted in the dim and dark past is their attitude.
They park where they like regardless of blocking vision for other road users, they just think they can do as they please including holding up others. Then not to thank people who do slow down and stop for them is just down right rude.
If it makes me feel like this how do you think other people wth no knowledge of horses feel? Not a good impression is it?
No we wont agree so this is my last word on the subject.
They park where they like regardless of blocking vision for other road users, they just think they can do as they please including holding up others. Then not to thank people who do slow down and stop for them is just down right rude.
If it makes me feel like this how do you think other people wth no knowledge of horses feel? Not a good impression is it?
No we wont agree so this is my last word on the subject.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
I think they can be expected to! it's no biggie for at least one of group (as in this case) to nod or raise a hand in thanks is it
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Phoebe
Well-Known Member
I pulled over to let our hunt past recently and every single one of them thanked me or put their hand up. It really made me smile and put all the hairs up on the back of my neck to see them go past.
Fiagai
Well-Known Member
IML I take it that you do not encounter the hunt on a regular basis?
Many of the cars will have been people "stopping" to take a look plus hunt followers plus those who had parked horse boxes etc. It can look all a bit manic but like say for example a local football match their MAY be some short term traffic disruption. I know that in my area those who hunt are given short shift by the master if they cause road traffic problems (there will always be someone somewhere tbh) but in reality has no control over the greater public.
As to riders cantering up roads expecting people to giveway to them. No I dont agree with any expectation this but I do believe that drivers need to be aware that riders may be trying to get out of the roadway as quickly as possible. It is good manners for riders to acknowledge other road users (and visa versa) and I believe that the highway code does state that animals (inc riders on horses) must be accommodated as road users in their own right. And as someone here already explained it is often essential that you have both hands on the reins to ensure that proper control is maintained.
If you believe that any hunt member was specifically disrecpectful towards you DO contact the local hunt secretary and outline what happened. Tbh that is the best way to ensure that a complaint will be dealt with. I am not convinced that an open forum will help your concerns with this.
shadowboy
Well-Known Member
OP I'm with you on this, what if you had been average member of the public, great impression of horse riders they have given. I've had the haunt come over my parents land. No apology despite a field of 20 odd over our minor 10 acres in winter churned up field a fair bit. I've dine my fair share of hunting and loved it as a teen but riders often have pack mentality when out hunting and forget there is a general public out there.