Rider and 2 horses Killed and 1 rider injured Brentwood Essex

sakura

sakura

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that's just so terrible
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all my thoughts are with those affected xxx
 
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ISHmad

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Everyones worst nightmare. What a shocking tragedy. Thinking of the family and friends of those involved. RIP to the rider and horses.
 
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1stclassalan

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Yes, absolutely aweful. Remember this is a distinct possibility every time you go out.

I last rode out on a public road about fifteen years ago and it was getting bad then - but now!! Drivers are so impatient - and it's not always white vanman either - I found that I was more likely to be killed by ladies who did coffee mornings flying about the lanes with a dozen things on their minds.

So you can help protect your horse by : 1/ Always be aware of what's behind you - and at least 50 mts in front. 2/ When approaching a bend try to do so when a car behind has seen you ( attract the driver's attention ) then trot round ( while listening just in case there's an idiot coming at speed ) and continue at trot a good way past the bend. This is to prevent twits meeting on the bend while trying to overtake your horse!

Never, never, ever switch off while out - sauntering up the road two abreast might be legal but is very, very dangerous now and next to suicidal if you're talking or on a mobile!

I always carried a long dressage whip - not for thrashing my horse but to use as a hand extension - I'd often place it on her quarters to push her over to the left - it never ceases to surprise ( and annoy ) me how many other riders allow their horses to turn left when spooking sending their backsides out into the road! I also used the handle end on quite a few cars that got that bit too close.

Train your horse to leg yield so your right leg can send them into the kerb - never let a danger come up unannouced from behind - turn around to face it - horse will often back into a problem when frightened.
 
benson21

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I have only read the headline and it makes me go cold. Memories come flooding back. When will drivers learn.
 
brighteyes

brighteyes

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Shocking and tragic :( It's time driving lessons and tests featured horses and how to drive past them as a matter of very high importance.

I find hacking on the roads so stressful I no longer do it.

Condolences to all involved - very sad.
 
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Folara

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This is just the sort of thing I need to print and put on yard noticeboard.

We have a bridleway that was put in so that we could avoid the road that is a steep hill, under trees so dark and very twisty. It infuriates me when the other liveries ride down the road to avoid the mud on the bridleway. Ironically they then often go into the woods where it is just as muddy. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Why invite danger, when the risk is already high enough!
 
HollyB66

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So so sad :(

My thoughts are with everyone involved.

The low winter sun does blind drivers and they need to drive with this in mind.

Good advice from 1stclassalan.
 
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Abandluc

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1stclassalan said:
Yes, absolutely aweful. Remember this is a distinct possibility every time you go out.

I last rode out on a public road about fifteen years ago and it was getting bad then - but now!! Drivers are so impatient - and it's not always white vanman either - I found that I was more likely to be killed by ladies who did coffee mornings flying about the lanes with a dozen things on their minds.

So you can help protect your horse by : 1/ Always be aware of what's behind you - and at least 50 mts in front. 2/ When approaching a bend try to do so when a car behind has seen you ( attract the driver's attention ) then trot round ( while listening just in case there's an idiot coming at speed ) and continue at trot a good way past the bend. This is to prevent twits meeting on the bend while trying to overtake your horse!

Never, never, ever switch off while out - sauntering up the road two abreast might be legal but is very, very dangerous now and next to suicidal if you're talking or on a mobile!

I always carried a long dressage whip - not for thrashing my horse but to use as a hand extension - I'd often place it on her quarters to push her over to the left - it never ceases to surprise ( and annoy ) me how many other riders allow their horses to turn left when spooking sending their backsides out into the road! I also used the handle end on quite a few cars that got that bit too close.

Train your horse to leg yield so your right leg can send them into the kerb - never let a danger come up unannouced from behind - turn around to face it - horse will often back into a problem when frightened.
Click to expand...

Some very good advice here, but can I just add that these riders were riding single file and I actually think it is safer to ride 2 abreast in some cases and whether this would have helped these riders we will never know.

I have also found out that this lady was stabled at our yard a few years back. My thoughts are with her family
 
wanderersmelody

wanderersmelody

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This is just so awful. You take all the precautions you can these days, but sometimes you cannot factor the weather and drivers. Thoughts to the families and friends involved.
 
stencilface

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Just awful. I think low sun is worse than fog really, as people do tend to drive a little more cautiously in fog. I do my best to avoid certain rides if its at that time of day when the sun is low. Trouble is atm the weather is not that predictable :(

RIP poor rider and horses
 
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CBAnglo

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Sorry about the above post - pressed the button too early.

Very sad news - OP do you know which road this happened on? They are all quite narrow twisty roads round there and people tend to drive so fast round the bends ...
 
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