Naughty horse but STUPID car driver!!!

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CBFan

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ok, firstly there is no excuse for my horse's behaviour other than the fact that he is young and naieve, and believe me I made sure he knew it, but...

This morning I decided to take him 40 yards down the road (with me done up to the nines with reflectives and kitted out in hat and gloves etc)to have a munch on the green and do a bit of traffic watching as he's not particularly good with it yet (he's rising 3) anyway, he decided it was the perfect excuse to miss-behave - queue rearing, bucking and plunging on the end of the rope and me taking an opportune moment to decide that we were safest abandoning that idea for the day and heading back to the yard. checked that road was clear from both directions - good visibility for 200 + metres in both directions, got half way to the closest yard gate and was positioned in the middle of the road (to ensure I was visible and that we had room to manouvre) with prancing 17hh youngster on the end of the rope when a woman in a little ford fiesta appeared out of no-where in front of us and despite hand signals to the contrary just kept on coming!!! I ended up having to shout 'stop' which she eventually did but she couldn't possibly wait while I unlatched and opened yard gate with said youngster still prancing on the end of the rope and proceeded to rev her engine in readiness to go round us where the road quite clearly isn't wide enough so I then had to shout 'no! wait!!'. It took us 2 seconds to get through the gateway. What is wrong with people??? do they not realise the damage half a tonne of horse could do to their ford fiesta, themselves and thir precious pooch on the back seat???!!!

Sorry, rant over.
 
Some people are too stupid for words sadly. Glad neither of you came to any harm. Unfortunatly alot of road users seem to view it as a 'right' to blast along any speed they like. God forbid anyone should hold them up!
 
:rolleyes: well you'd think she wouldn't want to damage her car, let alone injure anyone or the horse in the process wouldn't you, pah some people.:rolleyes:
 
pricklyflower said:
I hate to say this but the most hassle I get are from some women drivers driving too close and too fast.

*puts on tin hat and ducks*
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I think both sexes are guilty of that! Most of them seem to be behind me too :rolleyes: :D

I hate tail gaters! RAHHHHHH!!!

OP gla dyou and horse are ok, what a silly woman!
 
say what you want! It's a free world! and I think you are right to a certain extent..

What got me was that when I looked at the woman closely (who was scowling back at me BTW) she was at least 50! should have known better. And if she had taken the time to wind her window down to speak to me (god forbid!) I would have asked here how she would like it if her dog got loose on the road and she witnessed someone driving AT it... maybe that would have made her think!
 
Sorry, tin hat and all that. But I simply do not understand why people feel the need to walk youngsters out on the road. It's just asking for trouble - as highlighted in the op.

Thank god there wasn't an accident.
 
Good rant :D

We had a similar situation over the weekend, and I feel a little guilty for the way I spoke to the driver and hope I haven't tarnised riders with a bad name.

We were riding over a Motorway bridge on a busy road, and through past experience of near misses and the potential to be dismounted off the top of the bridge, the two of us rode two abreast in the middle of the bridge away from the edge. We trotted over the bridge as to not hold up the traffic for too long and immediately after the bridge I started to move my horse across back in to single file, but before I barely had moved, a car tried to squeeze past - so close I could touch his wing mirror with my foot. I started waving for him to move back and he just kept pushing past. In the end I literally had to ride in to him for him to move over. At which point he put his window down and the conflict started. He said he thought I was waving him past :confused: I can't see how my very clear "slow down" arm signals and the fact my horse was still in the middle of the road, could be perceived as waving him past !! So I gave him a mouth full - all spur of the moment stuff because I was a bit shaken from the images of what could have happened had he continued to push past. Feel a bit guilty now :o
 
I can totally sympathize with you. I hope you do not meet that nasty woman again. I think you were reserved, i admit to giving the V sign to drivers like that.... not good I know. It gives horsey folk a bad name.... but if they are driving like nutters and endangering my life and my horse's life, then i respond accordingly. Ooops!
 
amymay said:
Sorry, tin hat and all that. But I simply do not understand why people feel the need to walk youngsters out on the road. It's just asking for trouble - as highlighted in the op.

Thank god there wasn't an accident.
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I'll put a tin hat on and answer that:
Because that is how one produces the bomproof, hacks alone/in company, performs wonders and ****s cucumbers horse that everybody wants.
Somebody has to take the risks for others to be able to buy super allrounders and enjoy them.
 
martlin said:
I'll put a tin hat on and answer that:
Because that is how one produces the bomproof, hacks alone/in company, performs wonders and ****s cucumbers horse that everybody wants.
Somebody has to take the risks for others to be able to buy super allrounders and enjoy them.
Click to expand...

I can't work out what the asterisks are on this and I'm fascinated to know. Mind you I've never thought of wanting a horse that does anything with cucumbers.

*trundles off wondering if her horses can't be counted as allrounders because they've never had anything to do with cucumbers*
 
amymay said:
Sorry, tin hat and all that. But I simply do not understand why people feel the need to walk youngsters out on the road. It's just asking for trouble - as highlighted in the op.

Thank god there wasn't an accident.
Click to expand...

It was 40 yards (if that!!) down the lane!!! if you can't walk youngsters out along a short stretch like that, how the hell are you suposed to teach them to deal with traffic?

Yes he was naughty, I admitted that, but I was in control of him (I wouldn't take him off the yard if I doubted I was).

The point of the post was that the car driver had more than enough time to see and assess the situation yet she still chose the stupid option. regardless of young horse or not!! horses walk this stretch of lane EVERY single day as A) it is a link to the bridleway and B) it is the ONLY route to one of the yard's fields.

nuff said.
 
jemima_too said:
I can't work out what the asterisks are on this and I'm fascinated to know. Mind you I've never thought of wanting a horse that does anything with cucumbers.

*trundles off wondering if her horses can't be counted as allrounders because they've never had anything to do with cucumbers*
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lol :D it starred my swearing out!
it's sh**s
 
amymay said:
Sorry, tin hat and all that. But I simply do not understand why people feel the need to walk youngsters out on the road. It's just asking for trouble - as highlighted in the op.

Thank god there wasn't an accident.
Click to expand...

I can understand your point if it came from a driver, but walking youngsters out in traffic is part and parcel of what I consider a very important part of a horses training, I'd rather deal with a youngster than than and try sort out a mature adult horse that knows it own mind on the roads.

Agree it's dangerous but then so is everthing involving horses really, not everyone has country lanes, tracks and fields to ride in, they need to get used to traffic some how.
 
jemima_too said:
I can't work out what the asterisks are on this and I'm fascinated to know. Mind you I've never thought of wanting a horse that does anything with cucumbers.

*trundles off wondering if her horses can't be counted as allrounders because they've never had anything to do with cucumbers*
Click to expand...


PMSL!!!!! Thats brilliant, I actually laughed out loud at work! I'm getting funny looks now.....:D
 
My youngster who absolutely hated traffic of any type has been 'cured' of her fear by long lining her to the lane and standing watching the traffic go past.

I certainly wouldn't have taken her on a collar and rope, we'd probably have ended up playing with the traffic :eek::o.

OP, glad it didn't end in disaster .... for your horse or the car.
 
I'll put a tin hat on and answer that:
Because that is how one produces the bomproof, hacks alone/in company, performs wonders and ****s cucumbers horse that everybody wants.
Somebody has to take the risks for others to be able to buy super allrounders and enjoy them.
Click to expand...

Not true. I've helped introduce many young horses to traffic - always ridden and always with a very good equine babysitter. Every single one of them is 110% in the heaviest of traffic alone or in company.

I think the risks of taking young horses out in hand on the roads are simply too high - and there is no reason to put anyone at that sort of risk. It takes nothing for a horse to get away from you, and at 17hh it would be easier than most.
 
CBFan said:
It was 40 yards (if that!!) down the lane!!! if you can't walk youngsters out along a short stretch like that, how the hell are you suposed to teach them to deal with traffic?

Yes he was naughty, I admitted that, but I was in control of him (I wouldn't take him off the yard if I doubted I was).

The point of the post was that the car driver had more than enough time to see and assess the situation yet she still chose the stupid option. regardless of young horse or not!! horses walk this stretch of lane EVERY single day as A) it is a link to the bridleway and B) it is the ONLY route to one of the yard's fields.

nuff said.
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Poor you - what a scary situation.

I honestly think some people just switch off when they are in their cars and forget that they have a world that they have to interact in!

Agree with you and the other poster that you need to expose young horses to things in order to desensitise them. Otherwise you end up with horses like so many I've seen that 'can't' do this or 'won't' do that. Good luck - maybe take a friend with you next time :)
 
quirky said:
My youngster who absolutely hated traffic of any type has been 'cured' of her fear by long lining her to the lane and standing watching the traffic go past.

I certainly wouldn't have taken her on a collar and rope, we'd probably have ended up playing with the traffic :eek::o.

OP, glad it didn't end in disaster .... for your horse or the car.
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Thanks! I wouldn't take him out in a collar and rope either!

as for intoducing horses to new experiences, I guess everyone has different methods and what is practical and works for one might not work for another but hey ho... this wasn't meant to be she's right or wrong post.
 
amymay said:
Not true. I've helped introduce many young horses to traffic - always ridden and always with a very good equine babysitter. Every single one of them is 110% in the heaviest of traffic alone or in company.

I think the risks of taking young horses out in hand on the roads are simply too high - and there is no reason to put anyone at that sort of risk. It takes nothing for a horse to get away from you, and at 17hh it would be easier than most.
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I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.
I'm pleased to hear you have had lots of success with you methods, though.
 
martlin said:
I'll put a tin hat on and answer that:
Because that is how one produces the bomproof, hacks alone/in company, performs wonders and ****s cucumbers horse that everybody wants.
Somebody has to take the risks for others to be able to buy super allrounders and enjoy them.
Click to expand...

How do youngsters learn if they don't go near roads???
But it isn't only youngsters - I went out bank hol Monday in May on my sensible 7 year old quarter horse - highly visible in florescent yellow fleece and bright pink (ancient) Puffa waistcoat. (I must have looked like a boil about to erupt)!
My western saddle has a luminous strip wrapped round each of the leather stirrups outermost - at driver eye-level height. It was a bright day the sun was on us and we were coming back from a hack - ok it was windy - a car came fast towards us on a country lane no other traffic about. Horse is normally sensible with traffic but I usually ask him to stop if someone is bearing down on us like this. He knows the routine but a pheasant or a pigeon flapped behind the hedge right beside us and he scittered sideways. I thought the car would stop as she had seen him react but no she kept coming and the horse made contact with her bumper. He was unscathed (don't know how). But car bumper was broken. She said she 'knew' about horses as her daughter had one - so why didn't she stop?????
Anyway I couldn't believe he had done all the damage she said he had - not without breaking a leg anyway! I got her to follow me back to the yard and took pics of her car with my camera which is always to hand in front of my car. Anyway the long and the short of it - I had to pay £150 excess as the insurance couldn't get out of paying for her damage! This is on quiet country lanes which I have to use to get off road - on a sensible horse! It took me a while to go out on him again but of course I had to, luckily he was good as gold and has been ever since, bless him.
I am particularly angry with other car drivers at the moment but that's another boring story...........GRRR
 
CBFan said:
as for intoducing horses to new experiences, I guess everyone has different methods and what is practical and works for one might not work for another but hey ho... this wasn't meant to be she's right or wrong post.
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I wasn't suggesting you were wrong, or right for that matter, I was just offering up another method of getting him used to traffic.
Apologies if you have been offended by my post :confused:.
 
CBFan said:
Thanks! I wouldn't take him out in a collar and rope either!

as for intoducing horses to new experiences, I guess everyone has different methods and what is practical and works for one might not work for another but hey ho... this wasn't meant to be she's right or wrong post.
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Good luck on that bit hun :D

Anyhoo, back to the point of your op, yes, the woman was an idiot and there is no accounting for them. They'll drive like that no matter what the circumstances and when things go wrong, which given the law of averages they will, it will always be 'someone elses fault'. Can't change 'em :(:o:eek:
 
another who hasnt had to lead her youngsters down roads to get them used to traffic. im a firm believer of good horses been born rather than "made"- my mare was unhandled until she was 5, broken and rode out straight away down busy roads. she never batted an eyelid. frankly, putting them in situations where there are issues (as the OP) will make more problems in the future.
stick them in a field with a road at one side if you must, they either will or they wont tbh
 
xloopylozzax said:
another who hasnt had to lead her youngsters down roads to get them used to traffic. im a firm believer of good horses been born rather than "made"- my mare was unhandled until she was 5, broken and rode out straight away down busy roads. she never batted an eyelid. frankly, putting them in situations where there are issues (as the OP) will make more problems in the future.
stick them in a field with a road at one side if you must, they either will or they wont tbh
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are you serious?
 
xloopylozzax said:
another who hasnt had to lead her youngsters down roads to get them used to traffic. im a firm believer of good horses been born rather than "made"- my mare was unhandled until she was 5, broken and rode out straight away down busy roads. she never batted an eyelid. frankly, putting them in situations where there are issues (as the OP) will make more problems in the future.
stick them in a field with a road at one side if you must, they either will or they wont tbh
Click to expand...
right...
 
amymay said:
Not true. I've helped introduce many young horses to traffic - always ridden and always with a very good equine babysitter. Every single one of them is 110% in the heaviest of traffic alone or in company.

I think the risks of taking young horses out in hand on the roads are simply too high - and there is no reason to put anyone at that sort of risk. It takes nothing for a horse to get away from you, and at 17hh it would be easier than most.
Click to expand...

Well I'm pleased that you have had much success with the way you do things, but most of the people I know with youngsters don't want to take the risk of riding them into traffic for the first time - I think that's more of a disaster waiting to happen, than leading them is tbh! The ones I know have started to be ridden into traffic at about the age of 4, successfully being ridden and lunged in the school, lead out in hand and having seen the farm vehicles on the yard.

Agreed with what was said before, leading youngsters out in hand is all part and parcel of bringing them on to be a successful all rounder who hacks alone or in company and is bombproof.

Where our yard is, we have to go on the road at some point even if we want to hack on our farm rides or the bridlepaths. Its essential they are safe for us but also very very helpful if the drivers use (what little) brain they have ie, NOT squeezing past us in a very small space, NOT crawling behind us when one of the horses isn't happy about it and NOT speeding past us at 30mph over the speed limit! (Please note, most drivers are very helpful and considerate! :))

Glad you and horse are okay, OP - some people will never learn!!
K x
 
I think leading youngsters out in hand on roads is one of the best ways and that is what i am doing with my recently bought 15mth old. he's been out a couple of times, with a pal horse although really he didn't need it and he will be taken out on his own, I then intend to long rein him etc etc and it is quite likely i shall also ride and lead at some point too!!!

As for silly lady driver, I too am a lady but i agree some do seem to be idiotic, one passed me today on a bend - I didn't realise she had vision that could see round bends but she obviously was far superior a human than me!!! good job there was nothing coming the other way - all for the sake of about 15 seconds she may have had to wait for me to let her know it was all clear.............!
 
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