New to road hacking; most important things to remember?

Kitei

Kitei

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I have my livery all sorted out for when I find my horse, but the vast majority of the hacking is either on the road, or requires using the road to reach bridleways.
Now, I've never hacked out on the road before, and whilst I wont be going on my own the first few times, I'm a bit nervous about it. The road in question can be busy, fast and have 'large' and noisy traffic (tractors, etc).

What're the most important things to remember when hacking on the road?
 
Remember your not scared of lorries (your fear is his fear). Consider the drivers visabilty - I would rather ride on a fast straight road than a bendy road with high hedges. Avoid rush hour , choose the quietest times for your first few outings. Don't use your phone ! it hacks people off. Make sure your horse is reasonably traffic proof. I stood my youngster on a junction watching the world go by before I rode him out, I also took him to a very busy road where he could stand well back and watch all sorts whizz by. Didn't take long before he was rock solid.
 
Ride sensibly, defensively and considerately. Be seen, stand out, don't use your phone or headphones. Be aware of everything that's going on around you, not just the traffic. Use clear hand signals and thank other road users.
 
Watch out for others overtaking a kindly car that's letting you out. Don't presume because someone is signalling to turn they will do, people can be forgetful of their indicators. As others have said, be safe, be seen. Consider doing a riding and road safety test to boost your road-confidence? Have fun hacking!
 
As much hi-viz as you can pile on! I like to carry a whip and tie a bit of day glo on the end as find cars pass a bit wider as the whip is sticking out, also good for signalling. Acknowledge drivers even with just a nod and smile. Allow cars to pass where possible and safe.
 
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I hack for England.
1. Thank any considerate drivers. { head nod or hand}
2. wear hi viz
3.If you are coming up to a bend in the road and you can hear a car approaching, hang back before the bend so the driver can spot you.
4.If any scarey vehical is approaching that your horse is scared off, give hand signals to slow them down, or try and get in a drive/verge
5.Let drivers know if its clear for them to pass you.
6. if in douht {sp} I always jump off.

Just a few pointers off the top off my head.
 
Always thank the drivers, even if they are being a knob! Then at least you are being the bigger person!! And always, always wear hi-vis!! On you and your horse!! Make sure your name and contact number is somewhere on your horse, so if the unthinkable happens and you part company, someone knnows where horse is from.
But most of all, HAVE FUN!!
 
carry a whip, preferably with something that glows on it, as if someone is passing too close you can hold it out to remind them to keep there distance.
i always wear florescent and fluorescent boots on my horses, but i do very little road work- i literally cross one road! i would actually recommend the jackets that say 'please pass wide and slow' as some drivers simply do not think to do this.
always have a phone on you, but never use it.
again i always thank people, although sometimes just a smile and head nod if i don't feel safe letting one hand off reigns.
also personally, although you don't want to ride in the middle of the road, you don't need to stick as far over to the left as possible- you are entitled to the whole lane, just like a car, and then they have to be more careful over taking as less space.
 
If you are nervous I found it helped me to have a friend walk beside you to start off with (obvs with loads of high viz). This way the traffic will have to give you a wider birth and some drivers have more respect for a pedestrian. I did this for the first few months after my horse was backed and it seemed to give both of us confidence. He doesn't bat an eyelid at anything now. Also you can never have too much hiviz - I look like a Christmas tree! Good Luck.
 
Good advice above. Much of it is good road sense.

For the horsemanship part, you owe it to your horse to be confident and relaxed, as he will take his cue from you. If at all possible, find a friend with a very traffic savvy horse to accompany you until both you and your horse are relaxed. That way whatever comes around the corner, at least your horse won't cause a situation or make one worse.
 
Good advice but also be very careful not to wave traffic past you even if its clear ahead as If you do this and there's an accident you can be said to have been at fault so let the drivers make up their own minds. Happy hacking. :)
 
ameeyal said:
I hack for England.
1. Thank any considerate drivers. { head nod or hand}
2. wear hi viz
3.If you are coming up to a bend in the road and you can hear a car approaching, hang back before the bend so the driver can spot you.
4.If any scarey vehical is approaching that your horse is scared off, give hand signals to slow them down, or try and get in a drive/verge
5.Let drivers know if its clear for them to pass you.6. if in douht {sp} I always jump off.

Just a few pointers off the top off my head.
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I would be careful doing this one as if there is then something coming you could be to blame
 
There's some great advice above, and it's brilliant that you've asked. You're right not to venture out alone on the roads at first, and of course looking for a horse that's good in traffic will help!

Have a look at the advice on www.horseaccidents.org.uk, too - it will tell you what's expected of you as a road user, what to wear and how you can help yourself.

We'd also recommend taking the Riding and Road Safety test - this will give you a confidence boost on the roads and a thorough knowledge of how to keep as safe as possible. There's information at http://www.bhs.org.uk/training-and-.../find-exams/exams/riding-and-road-safety-test.
 
Lots of good advice above. I always make sure that as well as all my other hi-viz I have a hat-band, so that I can be seen above parked cars, hedges etc. Hi-viz gloves are also useful when signalling.
There is legally no problem with letting drivers know that they can pass you, even if a police officer waves a driver on, it is the DRIVER'S responsibility to make sure that the road is clear to proceed.
I recommend taking a friend with a completely traffic and spook proof horse to accompany you until both you and your horse are relaxed on the road and giving yourselves room to sidestep away from the traffic, if necessary.
 
BHS_official said:
There's some great advice above, and it's brilliant that you've asked. You're right not to venture out alone on the roads at first, and of course looking for a horse that's good in traffic will help!

Have a look at the advice on www.horseaccidents.org.uk, too - it will tell you what's expected of you as a road user, what to wear and how you can help yourself.

We'd also recommend taking the Riding and Road Safety test - this will give you a confidence boost on the roads and a thorough knowledge of how to keep as safe as possible. There's information at http://www.bhs.org.uk/training-and-.../find-exams/exams/riding-and-road-safety-test.
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THIS!!!!!!
 
Good advice here. The only thing I'd add is if you have traffic behind you and you get the opportunity (driveway, gateway junction or just a wider spot) pull in to let them past. They'll appreciate it and it will help prevent dangerous overtake attempts.

I have to hack on a fairly busy but narrow road and a horse that's good in traffic is always top of my wish list so it's worth thinking about when you go horse shopping.
 
Remember, looking like a Christmas tree is good! And always thank people who take care passing you. Plus, try to look for things that might cause a problem so you can deal with them in advance. My old pony Harry was terrified of tractors. Unfortunately, living in Somerset meant we saw a lot of them. I always kept an eye/ear open, and would hide in gateways if necessary.

Also agree with the above about pulling over to let people past. If you are narrow road that it's difficult to pass you on, but there's a nice bit of grass verge, then pop on that if you can. I think if we expect drivers to be cautious passing us, then we need to be courteous and try not to hold them up any more than necessary.

webble said:
I would be careful doing this one as if there is then something coming you could be to blame
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I agree- I was always told NEVER to call a car on past you, and when I'm driving, I ignore riders and cyclists who signal for me to come past. Ta very much, but I'd rather wait longer and see for myself than it's safe to go, than trust a total stranger and have to stand there in court and say "but she told me it was safe to go" like a total idiot.
 
I'd avoid roads with high hedges too :) not so fond of blind junctions either where trees/buildings block visibility. I ride on the roads a lot, my only real rule is to light both me and the horse up like christmas trees.

If you're learning you can get great results just leading the horse, I've even seen tabards with 'Young Horse' printed on them :) just make sure you're on the outside of the road, horse on the inside, then have at it!

However, one very important thing is to have a friend drive by and toot their horn until your neddy is okay with it because this can and does happen. One day while I was riding a very twitchy warmblood my mother in law happened to drive by, recognised me, and tooted her horn to say hello. I do still wonder if she was trying to kill me! Horse and me ended up in the trees which wasn't a lot of fun.
 
On a narrow lane with not too much traffic I usually halt and let a car go past. This is from having a horse that was quiet in traffic but would shy at a leaf in the hedge, so it was safer to be standing still. You have to be sensible about where you stop, have enough room for the vehicle to pass. Drivers appreciate this.

Thank drivers with your hand, rather than wave a whip at them.

On busy roads which are wider and where you might not want to keep stopping I found a dressage whip with a coloured/high viz ribbon at the end held out sideways was useful, so the drivers coming up behind can see how much road space you need and hopefully then don't try to sqeeze past.

If you feel nervous it would be a good idea to take the Riding and Road Safety Test. Local BHS country branches often organise them, or you may have to join the Pony Club as they have to take the test to get their C test.
 
BHS_official said:
We'd also recommend taking the Riding and Road Safety test - this will give you a confidence boost on the roads and a thorough knowledge of how to keep as safe as possible. There's information at http://www.bhs.org.uk/training-and-.../find-exams/exams/riding-and-road-safety-test.
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I was just going to suggest this.

OP - it sounds as though you are new to horses so firstly I would make sure you buy something that is absolutely 100% in traffic. Make sure you ask this question when calling up about horses, ask what it is like in traffic, on busy roads, with tractors, lorries, etc. Then make sure you try it out on the road. I really would consider doing your BHS Riding & Road Safety Test too, as the BHS official above suggests.
 
If people comment that you could be seen from outer space you're probably wearing about the right amount of hi viz :D

Remember the horse will take it's confidence from you so if it doesn't look dangerous put your leg on and push it forward, don't pander to silly spooking or you'll never enjoy hacking.
 
I'm certainly new to owning, but not new to horses in general. Unfortunately I've never had the opportunity to hack on a road before, but as my livery yard requires going on the roads, I thought I'd best get some advice. :)

Thanks very much for all the suggestions; I'll certainly have a look to see where the nearest place for the Road Safety test. All the advice and tips here are wonderful!

Been browsing the high vis equipment for horses, and now I'm quite looking forward to getting some. :D

Forgot to say: I'll be hacking out with my yard manager for the first few weeks, at least, both because she has a very stable horse, is very experienced and because she can then show me the routes. And traffic proof horse is very high on the list (or, well, as traffic proof as they can be), and whilst it has meant that I've had to discount several lovely animals from my search, I'd much rather be safe.
 
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I have spent many years riding on roads by myself including in Central London and some of the remotest parts of the U.K.
Allow at least 2 - 3 years for you and your horse to get used to each other.
Always ride defensively and look out and listen for other vehicles coming from behind you.
I would strongly recommend that you always wear a long sleeved Hi-Viz jacket when riding out as other road users will be able to see your hand signals more clearly.
Make sure that your horse has Hi-Viz Nose Band and Reign bands (double sided Hi-Viz) as well as you wearing a Hi-Viz hat band so that people can see you over hedges.
Ensure that your horse has a dog tag with your name and contact details and that of your vet one on it's saddle and one on it's bridle just in case it gets away from you.
If you want to stop a vehicle point at the driver for 3 seconds and then hold the palm of your hand up towards them until they halt.
Carry a whistle so that if you encounter any shooting parties you can make them aware that you are there.
Always carry a mobile phone (with ICE numbers on it - In Case of Emergency so that people know who to contact), hoof pick, bandage and a working biro/marker with you just in case.
I tend to nod my head and say thank you to other road users that are polite to us but avoid taking my hands off the reigns.
And as others have stated take the BHS road safety course and test as this will provide you with many useful tools.
 
One more thing I thought of. Sometimes if you have a horse who's very good in traffic, they think nothing of throwing themselves in front of a lorry to avoid a crisp packet/plastic bag/new bit of tarmac, so pick your moment to go past things like that and wait until there's nothing coming. My boy specialises in this so I have to be prepared to give wheelie bins and for sale signs a wide berth:eek: and choose my moment well. What he does isn't dangerous in itself it's just a bit of side step, it's where and when he does it that's the issue!
 
We have to do a fair bit of road hacking around here, including riding past a working quarry and over road-bridges; plus the "usual" offerings of buses, juggernauts on country roads, alcoholic local farmers on quad bikes, kiddies on roller scates (traddie boy convinced it was a spaceman just landed:)), oh and not forgetting the local piggies up the road.

So my advice is as follows:

If you can, get your BHS "Riding & Road Safety" cert under your belt; invaluable as it will not only give you confidence but you'll learn the correct way to ride on the road (not the same thing as driving!!!).

Hi viz, hi viz, and more hi viz. You can't have enough basically.

Work on scarey spooks at home; i.e. get your horse thoroughly accustomed to flags, washing, plastic sheets, walking over tarp's, road cones etc etc. Have a look on the Horse Agility Website or even better if Vanessa Bee is having a day in your area go along........

Again, on the ground, work on leg yield so your horse understands that he/she MUST get their great hairy backside into the gateway if a lorry is trying to squeeze past!!

Have a whip with a metal piece on the end if you can, or anything that basically looks like it might damage some boy racer's precious car if they're hurtlign towards you. Its amazing what difference it can makes if you pick a really scratchy-looking stick out of the hedge, and "forget" its in your hand if someone passes too close.... they won't give a stuff about you or the horse but they might just worry about scratching the paintwork on their precious vehicle.

Ditto having your details on a "dog tag". Have a look at the "Collar Tags" website, they do some nice ones which you could easily clip onto a rein. Also put your vets phone no on it!!

Ask your farrier about road studs.

Is there a friend with a steady horse you could go out with? At least initially? If you were in the area I'd willingly come out with one of mine; they're both thoroughly road-chilled......... have to be around here unfortunately. However the piggies up the road still remain a slight challenge :)

Finally..... enjoy your hacking & chill out. Your horse will know straightaway if you're tense, and will react accordingly. Develop the philosophy of whatever the spook, ask yourself how you would ride if that thing wasn't there....... you and your horse will then relax.

PS have a look at Michael Peace's website, he gives a lot of good advice and schooling ideas too which may help you.
 
Kitei said:
I have my livery all sorted out for when I find my horse, but the vast majority of the hacking is either on the road, or requires using the road to reach bridleways.
Now, I've never hacked out on the road before, and whilst I wont be going on my own the first few times, I'm a bit nervous about it. The road in question can be busy, fast and have 'large' and noisy traffic (tractors, etc).

What're the most important things to remember when hacking on the road?
Click to expand...

Be polite, be visible, but also you have a right to be there.

Whilst nobody should be squeezing past you, don't tempt them to, and make sure you pull in where appropriate. If you can't pull in, I always try to stay in trot so traffic isn't at a standstill behind me.

If your horse isn't used to traffic, go out with one who is - he'll only learn by having positive experiences.

If unsure about a type of vehicle for example we often have tractors/snowplows/bin lorries etc going past, then pull in and let him look at it passing.

On a fast, busy road, hi viz is essential. Always carry a mobile for emergencies, but don't use it when riding. If it's early morning or in fading afternoon light, a set of lights on stirrups/helmet are always recommended.

And generally be aware that you are not the only road user, and be prepared that you will have days that are a bit 'urgh'!
 
Some great advice on this thread but to be honest if you have a choice go for a yard with off road hacking. Over the years I have had so many near misses with cars/trucks that it's just not worth it. I've always ridden horses that were reliable in traffic but sometimes something else spooks them and sometimes the drivers are bonkers and there is no avoiding them. I know it sounds drastic to chose another yard just because of this but I have turned down houses (I keep the horses at home) because of poor hacking. It's really not worth the risk.
 
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