purposefully scaring horse!

[MrsHutt]

A yob in a car gave a long sound of his horn at us as we where riding round a sharp blind bend. I turned round and looked at him.

Then once round the bend he over took us and stoped in front of us and got out of his car and started screeming at me. I got off my horse and asked my riding partner to hold my horse while I sorted him out.

Screeming yob came towards me just as my horse stepped forward and stood on yobs foot. Yob did not appreciate half a ton of weight on his foot. Justice!

Like, like like!!

 

[Antw23uk]

I agree, cyclists also annoy me in this way when driving. They ride at 3 and 4 abreat so you cant get past and have to crawl along behind them, that makes me want to ram them off the road a bit (I obviously dont, or havent .... yet!!)

I knew a woman who used to take really long whip out with her and hit cars on the roof if they came too close, made them think they clipped her, no one ever stopped shockingly! Another woman used to keep small stones in her pocket which she would throw at cars if they drove disrespectfully. Both of these examples would probably make my horse have a meltdown and I dont really think they are the answer to helping the situation. I guess some people will always just be rude, rider or driver.

I like the idea of the whip or little stones, lol ... and as for cyclists Dont even get me started on them. They are a nightmare round my way and i always abuse them as i skim past them, lol

 

[PandorasJar]

I agree, cyclists also annoy me in this way when driving. They ride at 3 and 4 abreat so you cant get past and have to crawl along behind them, that makes me want to ram them off the road a bit (I obviously dont, or havent .... yet!!)

I knew a woman who used to take really long whip out with her and hit cars on the roof if they came too close, made them think they clipped her, no one ever stopped shockingly! Another woman used to keep small stones in her pocket which she would throw at cars if they drove disrespectfully. Both of these examples would probably make my horse have a meltdown and I dont really think they are the answer to helping the situation. I guess some people will always just be rude, rider or driver.

Horses and Bikes are two abreast as a limit. Drives me nuts with huge groups of cyclists, not even normally on the right side of the road!

One of the girls who used to ride out with me would hold her stirrups a couple of inches wider than pony. On wide roads it was quite scary how many scratches were done. I'm more of a pansy and stick to off road hacking where possible!

Very fortunate that most around here are polite. Car drivers to each other round here is another matter!

 

[MrsHutt]

I must say, round here drivers are usually pretty good and riders (almost) always say thank you if you stop or pass slowly.

However, what amazes me about this (sickening) thread, is that these ijits don't seem to be in fear for their precious vehicles! Don't they realize that, never mind the damage to horse and/or rider, their car can be well and truly sqidged by a horse!?

 

[indiat]

In the four years I have been riding out in traffic locally the only motorist who has been downright dangerous and rude was another horsey person! And we have a family locally who are famous for being rude and condescending to everyone they meet when out riding. I have actually foudn that after being terrified to hack on my own for a long time the last few months has restored my faith in humanity as so many drivers have been so lovely. I try to return the favour and stop my boy and let people pet him as often as I can. Its mostly local traffic around our way. Perhaps these incidents arise when people are not part of the community and know they will not be held accountable?

 

[ClobellsandBaubles]

This is exactly what i though as well, i dont think she will leave it drop, he brother-in-law is an ex policeman so she is planning on speaking to him & seeing what he suggests she does (he was very high up in the local force before retirement). I think her address was given to him as he wants to make a claim on her insurance for the horse kicking the car. She actually thought he was coming round to apologise & ended up shutting the door in his face. Im just so glad she was ok, it doesnt bear thinking about what could have happened

I find it very scary that the police won't get involved!! If she had been a pedestrian and a car had repeatedly driving at her endangering her life what would they have done? How is that not a criminal offence to endanger someones life because there happens to be a horse involved!!!! I do not understand

A bus drove at me once. I was on the left it was on the right it crossed onto myside of the road and rive at me forcing me into a hedge. The driver was well known in the area and a rider!!!!!

 

[Big Ben]

Next time you ride out, take a pen with you and your phone. If any idiot does this again, write his reg down on your hand and phone cops. Tell them a 'Drunken Driver' has nearly crashed into you. Give reg and where you think he was heading/area etc. The Cops more likely to go look for him and even if he had not been drinking he could have motoring offences against him, no insurance,tax,mot etc.

*LIKE* This sounds like a great idea.

I'm so glad that I don't have to deal with traffic anymore

 

[StoptheCavalry]

I must say, round here drivers are usually pretty good and riders (almost) always say thank you if you stop or pass slowly.

However, what amazes me about this (sickening) thread, is that these ijits don't seem to be in fear for their precious vehicles! Don't they realize that, never mind the damage to horse and/or rider, their car can be well and truly sqidged by a horse!?

I know, I certainly wouldnt want my car sat on by a horse. Im lucky my new horse is really good in traffic but my last horse completely lost her confidence after nearly gettin taken out by a white van man. What they dont seem to realise is that they can always get dents knocked out and scratched re painted its really not so easy to fix a horse that has been hit on the road. Alot of the time near me there seems to be the attitude that we are in the way.

A few weeks ago we were riding single file (2 of us) round a sharp bend we had 3 or 4 cars behind which we waved on as soon as we could see over the hedge. A speeding car came up behind the lot of the and went of overtake the 4 cars and the 2 horses, almost ramming a car into me and another car into the hedge whilst revving as loud as he could, I cant say I have ever been in so much of a hurry on a sunday afternoon that I couldnt wait 10 seconds. I just postedthis on another thread too, a car came towards me and a friend at about 30 miles an hour down a single track road, we quickly pulled over onto a patch of grass, she then slammed the breaks on and got out shouting at us for being on her grass, if she had slowed down we could have stayed on the road but I wasnt risking her going that fast and hitting my horse, and that woman also has horses!!!!

A big group of cyclists came flying up behind me on a very quiet road, I was riding my friends 17.2h BIG black horse. He spun (his normal reaction to spook) reared and cantered towards them. They didnt know what to do with themselves, thankfully it was only a stride of 2 of canter, the horse was terrified and dont think he quite realised he was actually running towards what he was scared of. Those cyclists might think twice before flying round bendS on quite lanes while taking up the whole of said lane!!

 

[Lissa]

Most people round us are ok, there was one car on saturday a big 4x4 that came flying past us even though it was a long straight stretch of road so they would of seen us from far enough back to slow down. Luckily my pony didn't object to this as he had been spooky on this ride. Get the odd one that goes past a bit too fast but not majorly.

Worst one we've had was a horsey person with trailer. Me and friend hacking out turning of one road to go down a lane that isn't a proper road and it's down a hill. For some reason ponies were objecting to go down and backing up. No traffic coming and you can see for far enough for anything coming to see and slow down in plenty of time, including if pulling a trailer. Just as I was about to get off and lead pony down a car and trailer came flying up the road didn't make any attempt to slow down even though they would of been able to see horses playing up far enough back, this scared both horses which ran back even more meaning the trailer had to swerve and slam on it's breaks (sending horse inside nearly on floor by sounds) we must of been inches from it. Was seriously scary, obviously you can't slow down quickly with a trailer I know as I drive our lorry, but the length of the road where you can see is plenty to slow down enough so that they wouldn't of had to slam on. Meaning horses wouldn't of been scared more I could of jumped off and not nearly got run over.

Luckily most of our hacking is off road and only have to do small stretches at a time, all long straight roads.

 

[Armas]

I was out a while back at a large fete I saw too kids bullying a smaller boy. I rode up to intervene put Armas between the kids enabling the smaller child to ride of on his bike. Every time the bigger kids tried to move I charged them with my steed !
Back to the thread take a note of there reg number next time and report them.

 

[Shantara]

I like the idea of the whip or little stones, lol ... and as for cyclists Dont even get me started on them. They are a nightmare round my way and i always abuse them as i skim past them, lol

You're in the same area as me! I really hope you don't meet my brother or my dad!!!

Funnily enough, I find them to be very polite. I was riding Ned alone for the first time and I saw a group of cyclists, I heard them shout "Horse!!" it travelled down their pack and they slowed right down and I thanked them all and they all thanked me back. That's the usual reaction I get.
The only bad experience was when I was driving from a tack shop, I met 2 cyclists who were not together. One guy was fat, having a hard time to keep going, I passed him with ease. The 2nd guy was obviously a pro and he was giving me a run for my money! He was super fast and it was a slow, single lane so I thought I'd wait behind him. He started to slow, so I passed him. A few moments later, I had to slow down to let another car pass and cyclist came whizzing through. I didn't mind, but he seemed miffed that I'd passed him. He kept looking back at me (I kept my distance) and while he was looking back, he hadn't realised he was headed for a ditch!!! He disappeared!! It was the funniest thing I've ever seen!
I did stop as did a woman behind me, she gave me the thumbs up that he was ok and I left. Haha I still have a good giggle.

 

[ClobellsandBaubles]

I like the idea of the whip or little stones, lol ... and as for cyclists Dont even get me started on them. They are a nightmare round my way and i always abuse them as i skim past them, lol

This makes me sad. There is a living breathing person on that bike and it's terrifying when someone does this what if you misjudge it slightly?? Someone drove at me whilst I was cycling home the other day minding my own business I nearly hit the curb if I had swerved more violently I would have hit something.

I find people let their irritation at being held up or general annoyance get in the way of the fact there is a human being/animal that could get hurt be it a cyclist or a rider. Take a bit more care people it only takes a few more seconds.

 

[MissyMew]

How awful for both of you. There are real idiots out there.

I would however, like to say biggest thanks to any drivers on the main Marlborough/Devizes road yesterday, as we got stranded after hunting after a crisis at the yard and had no option but to hack back instead, which involved going down that road for about 6 miles. We got off it soon as we could and tried to keep out the way where we could, and every single driver was absolutely polite and courteous of the horses. We were bricking it having to ride down there, but every single driver was brilliant.

I know this road, that must have been quite scary. Glad the locals were kind. To be fair most people are considerate, it's the minority that cause trouble, there just seems to be a few more of them about!!

 

[chestnutmarelover]

A sad reflection on todays society I'm afraid, would never have happened when I first started riding far back in the mists of time!! People have no respect these days (now I really do sound old!).
Was told to "get your *******ing horse back in its *******ing field" by some charming young man a few days ago whilst out on a quiet hack. Very sad really.
Edited to say, won't let me swear with an f and ***ing, is that a new forum feature or has it always done that?

That could of been written by me There are certain country lanes I used to ride as a kid I wouldn't dream of using now Definately lack of respect and knowledge.

 

[Sparkles]

I know this road, that must have been quite scary. Glad the locals were kind. To be fair most people are considerate, it's the minority that cause trouble, there just seems to be a few more of them about!!

Indeed. Never ever ride down there normally, other than cross it occasionally to get to the other side of the Ridgeway, as it's a completely inappropriate road to ride down. But unfortunately, we had tired, sweaty ponies and were completely stuck with no rugs or other, and would have been a 3 hour wait in the end it turned out before they could have got the lorry out to us, so had to opt to keep them moving and just make our way back. Felt awful for riding down that road as I could imagine the mental annoyance from drivers probably...but we did apologise and thank every car that went by, we didn't receive any abuse luckily.

 

[Antw23uk]

This makes me sad. There is a living breathing person on that bike and it's terrifying when someone does this what if you misjudge it slightly?? Someone drove at me whilst I was cycling home the other day minding my own business I nearly hit the curb if I had swerved more violently I would have hit something.

I find people let their irritation at being held up or general annoyance get in the way of the fact there is a human being/animal that could get hurt be it a cyclist or a rider. Take a bit more care people it only takes a few more seconds.

Oh dear .. you take yourself far too seriously.

 

[Tnavas]

Hope the situation doesn't have a lasting effect on your horse.

Last week I was working on my youngster in her field - she's been there two days and has never been grazed by an open road before.

We were in the gateway when an ambulance came screaming up the side road and turned into the road we are on. Sirens blaring and lights flashing - no other cars in sight anywhere.

Baby horse grew another hand and gawped at it while I frantically made 'cut siren' gestures with my hands. He looked right at me and totally ignored me! Talk about trying to drum up business.

I was really in a tight spot between the horse and the corner made by the fence and gate. I envishiooned being squished through the netting lik cheese! Fortunately baby horse is a treasure and looked rather than reacted.

I phoned the ambulance station later and discussed the situation with the person in charge of drivers. He was not overly impressed with my suggestion that if there is a person with the horse in close proximity to the road that they shut off at least the sirens especially when they are not having to force their way through traffic. He didn't seem to understand that they could end up picking up bodies on route if they scare horses into dumping their riders.

And to end on a light note

 

[Shantara]

Oh dear .. you take yourself far too seriously.

And you need to stop frightening cyclists.

 

[Antw23uk]

Hope the situation doesn't have a lasting effect on your horse.

Last week I was working on my youngster in her field - she's been there two days and has never been grazed by an open road before.

We were in the gateway when an ambulance came screaming up the side road and turned into the road we are on. Sirens blaring and lights flashing - no other cars in sight anywhere.

Baby horse grew another hand and gawped at it while I frantically made 'cut siren' gestures with my hands. He looked right at me and totally ignored me! Talk about trying to drum up business.

I was really in a tight spot between the horse and the corner made by the fence and gate. I envishiooned being squished through the netting lik cheese! Fortunately baby horse is a treasure and looked rather than reacted.

I phoned the ambulance station later and discussed the situation with the person in charge of drivers. He was not overly impressed with my suggestion that if there is a person with the horse in close proximity to the road that they shut off at least the sirens especially when they are not having to force their way through traffic. He didn't seem to understand that they could end up picking up bodies on route if they scare horses into dumping their riders.

And to end on a light note

Honestly i feel for you, that must have been scary but sadly it seems to be the case that unless you are a horsey type then you just dont understand what we are talking about. Glad you at least tried to get through to them

And you need to stop frightening cyclists.

Ok i will try my best

 

[StoptheCavalry]

In all seriousness most of the cyclists aren't too bad and will shout before coming behind us or ring a bell as a warning. I actually find larger groups of cyclists to be a lot worse than individuals. There seems to be some kind of cycling club nearby and they time themselves, now I understand they want to get a good time but think not slowing is unacceptable there may be a living breathing person on that bike (for the record I don't condone running cyclists off the road.... Well not all the time ) but I am also a living person sat on what is essentially a bike with a brain and a mind of its own so think I'm probably more at risk than the cyclist!!

 

[Burmilla]

Back in the mists of time, I owned a particularly opinionated Arab. He had been gelded just before I got him at eleven years of age His 'type' weren't fashionable any more and his offspring not selling, so he was gelded and got rid of. Anyway, the yard I was at was near to a holiday camp, and by the sea. I often used to ride on the tracks between the two, on the way to the marshes beyond. Youth from the holiday camp used to chuck things at us over the fence, infuriating me and horse. One day I saw youth out on marshes, trying to trap birds, with his little mates. I galloped over to them, horse obligingly rearing and plunging as we slowed. I then rode round them in a very close circle and herded them off the marsh, if one made a break for it, i galloped after him and herded him back. It was deeply satisisfying. I drove them down the fenced track and they scrambled/ fell over the holiday camp wall. There was no more trouble from youth, or any other young person at the camp.

 

[Antw23uk]

Back in the mists of time, I owned a particularly opinionated Arab. He had been gelded just before I got him at eleven years of age His 'type' weren't fashionable any more and his offspring not selling, so he was gelded and got rid of. Anyway, the yard I was at was near to a holiday camp, and by the sea. I often used to ride on the tracks between the two, on the way to the marshes beyond. Youth from the holiday camp used to chuck things at us over the fence, infuriating me and horse. One day I saw youth out on marshes, trying to trap birds, with his little mates. I galloped over to them, horse obligingly rearing and plunging as we slowed. I then rode round them in a very close circle and herded them off the marsh, if one made a break for it, i galloped after him and herded him back. It was deeply satisisfying. I drove them down the fenced track and they scrambled/ fell over the holiday camp wall. There was no more trouble from youth, or any other young person at the camp.

Where is that 'like' button

 

[Dunlin]

I am a motorcyclist, car driver and rider, only missing the bicycle to have the complete set. Horses came before other transport so when I meet any horses the headlights go off and I slow down and if needed stop. I really hate the tarring with the same brush attitude, if I had a pound for everytime I heard someone relate to motorcyclists as evil law breaking organ donating scum I'd be riding Utopia everyday.

Without putting a downer on some of the tactics used on here I'd be very careful about challenging people. In this day almost everyone has a phone that takes video and onboard camera's are becoming more popular in vehicles, whacking a car with a whip could end with a prosecution, throwing stones is assault and charging at someone could be using the horse as an offensive weapon with intent to frighten or harm. Sods law dictates you'de be the one that ends up in the creek without a paddle and no evidence to challenge a prosecution.

You can buy tiny little bullet camera's on eBay for a nominal price that record on a loop of 30 seconds or so, if something happens you press a button to save the footage. This combined with a pen and paper is the best way to deal with trouble plus you could challenge the wrong person one day who may have a knife or gun.

 

[Aru]

You can get apps for smart phones that video your journey etc at the moment just like a head cam ...I know that Dailyroads Voyager is free on Android anyway.

Just adding this for those who are interested in the likes of a head cam and are looking for a more affordable option.
Or who like me would like to have one in the car due to the sheer level of idiocy you see on the roads every day.

 

[StormyMoments]

We dont get too many idiots around here as there are a lot of horses but i have had my stirrups clipped 3 times... When taz was spooking at something he ran backwards and sideways on to the otherside of the road and someone tried to slip past but clipped his hock with the rear wing of their car. Had someone sat behind us on a single track lane (i was trotting out of the way) beeping his horn and revving his engine and get incredibly close so i brought taz back to a walk then a halt pulled across the width of the road and just stood there.. He got very annoyed and was beeping revving and getting close enough to touch taz's legs with his bonnet until he realised he wasnt intimidating me or my horse who was actually resting his leg so he reversed all the way back... There were 2 cars waiting for me to move and i appologised and said thank you and they applauded me . The other day i was riding rio out and someone was hitting something behind a bush so he shot into the centre of the road over the white line and threatened to rear (only little bunny hops) and there were a couple of cars waiting behind with their engines off waiting for him to calm down... I tried to push him on again and this time he went right up vertical and started backing up and turning while rearing and just as he got onto to the wrong side of the road doing that one of the drivers who was waiting overtook the others and squeezed past us narrowly missing us as rio came down from the rear... Idiot people they could blatantly see that he was having a moment but he took the risk anyway.. Sometimes people really dont think!

 

[Crugeran Celt]

I did try a 'cavalry charge' on a group of kiddies who threw stones at my friend and me on horseback once (I might have lost my temper just a little bit...). Even fat kids can run.[/QUOTE]

that has conjured up such a funny picture, really made me laugh! Not sure where you all live but around here drivers are usually very careful, thank goodness, especially the lorry drivers as we have some huge lorries using the small roads here to get to an industrial estate that is in the most rediculous place.

 

[Tinsel Trouble]

I am sure you all know the game Space Invaders? Where the little blob on the floor shot aliens as they dropped out the sky... my Welsh D plays that game with Cycle Races.

It was mightily embarassing! Especially as we moved to an area where they have almost weekly races! Lucklily he's been retired to home, but It was funny having to shout please can you give him some more space- he's going to fire both barrells!!

On another note- am I the only driver who has been known to thank all passing traffic when i'm in my car? I remember my first driving lesson and being told to stop it!!

 

[ModernEquestrian]

Oh brother, I've had this happen a number of times. I never ride on roads but I have trained at a few places that have their arenas in along the road. People will honk as I'm riding, yet luckily none of the horses I ride become frightened.

I was also helping with a movie that involved horses (I had to teach the actors how to ride for the horse scenes), and apparently a "film thing" is to honk the horn every time you're about to move the car. I was standing in front of their van, holding two horses by myself, and all of a sudden BEEP BEEP. It scared me more than it scared the horses but I mean really? How stupid can you be?!

 

[OWLIE185]

Please report any incidents you have on the www.horseaccidents.org.uk web site.

 

[Frosty89]

Some drivers make me so mad!

I was out riding in the summer, when some white van men thought it would be a good idea to start shouting the usual crude comments about girls who ride horses that we've all heard a million times before! The driver then proceeded to beep his horn whist along side me whilst his mates continued shouting out the window. My horse was already upset from the shouting but as soon as the driver beeped the horn he went crazy. Did a vertical rear and then a huge flying buck which resulted with me in a heap on the floor and my horse half way down the road. As you can probably guess the van didn't hang around to see if I was okay. Luckly another driver pulled up to help me and someone else down the roads caught my horse. It could of been a hell of a lot worse!