RIDERS PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS

harveysmom

harveysmom

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Following my other thread "A HAIRY MOMENT" i have been chatting on a cycling forum and the feedback is interesting.
We complain when other motorists ignore our requests to slow down or stop etc.
But is this because most of the time we are rude and dont thank or acknowledge them in the first place so next time they meet a rider on a horse they arent so happy to help
I think this could be the case as i myself have met riders while im in the car and they ride along like im not there side by side blocking the road, obviously i should thank them for getting out of my way. Can you see how this might look to non horsey peeps
Or do you think us horse riders are polite?
 
I alway make a point to say thank you, smile an communicate with other road users, even the rude ones-- I figure if I am overly polite, even if I make one rude one think twice and be more considerate for another rider it was worth the grimace/ smile I forced at the time

Unfortunately I know far too many riders who never say thank you, and some don't even acknowledge drivers at all.

Although I will never forget the a***hole who shouted at the 10yo me on a quiet lane with my pony that horses shouldn't be on the road, so get the **** off it... Luckily I was quite robust, but really??

Rudeness does go both ways!!!
 
Unfortunately I think that a lot of riders are not at all polite.

I have been driving 12 miles to take my stepson to and from school for the past seven years. I regularly drive past a lady on her horse, I always slow down and give her loads of room, in all these years she has never made eye contact or smiled, let alone said thank you. One of these days I will stop and tell her that, as a fellow horse rider, I am ashamed of her!! She won't care, I'm sure.
 
I can't bear anyone who doesn't make an effort to acknowledge other road users-whether they be drivers, riders, or cyclists. A simple wave/smile isn't hard.- I recently chose not to ride out again with a particular person from my old yard, because she made no effort to move over and let drivers past/let traffic build up behind/didnt say thank you. I was completely mortified, and swore I wouldn't go on the roads with her ever again.


Whilst you're on this cycling forum - could you point out the dangers (to them!) of whizzing silently past from behind - far too close. Horses being animals, and kicking being their primary defence mechanism when startled. I'm sure they don't realise that they're doing anything wrong.
 
I know exactly what you mean. I'm possibly a bit over thankful when a car makes an effort to slow down, or a cyclist rings his/her bell rather than wooshing past, and I even acknowledge the ones who don't (through gritted teeth admittedly), so when I'm driving along and pass a lemon-sucking road hogger on their horse, I understand exactly how drivers find some horse riders arrogant. And unfortunately it's the rude ones who leave the most lasting impression.
 
Riders without manners irritate me immensely. Although even I was gobsmacked the day I hacked out with another livery and she asked me in all seriousness why I was waving at everyone who passed if I didn't know them. She was utterly bewildered when I pointed out I was thanking them for slowing down to go by.

There is a rider near my yard who I keep meaning to stop and say thank you to - if you read this and you think you know her (or are her!), tell her she brightens my day.

Lady near Guiseley (West Yorks) who rides a big bay with a docked tail and is ALWAYS out covered in hi viz - you are a superstar. She always gives a giant smile and wave and without fail I can't help but smile back at her. YOU are a great advert for hacking horse riders.
 
I make sure that I say thank you to drivers that slow. If I am riding and leading then it might not be possible to raise a hand but a smile and nod and a verbal 'Thank you' is always possible.

If I pass riders who do not thank me then I will stop and cll out "Manners!" I will say that this rarely has to happen.

I pulled in when driving to allow a hunt field to pass - about 90 riders and not one failed to thank either verbally, nodding their head or raising a hand.
 
I am always lovely to anyone I meet out hacking and that is even in the woods when they hold there dogs or slow down on there sedgeways(sp?).

I must say I find people on there bikes far more ignorant than us. I know that is putting them all under the same blanket but around here they tend to go in packs or cycle like they own the road never say thank you its really annoying IMO :)
 
harveysmom said:
Following my other thread "A HAIRY MOMENT" i have been chatting on a cycling forum and the feedback is interesting.
We complain when other motorists ignore our requests to slow down or stop etc.
But is this because most of the time we are rude and dont thank or acknowledge them in the first place so next time they meet a rider on a horse they arent so happy to help
I think this could be the case as i myself have met riders while im in the car and they ride along like im not there side by side blocking the road, obviously i should thank them for getting out of my way. Can you see how this might look to non horsey peeps
Or do you think us horse riders are polite?
Click to expand...

I think you are talking nonsense to be frank most riders you meet when driving are very polite and the manners of an other party are not a reason for driving without paying attention to the hazards you meet.
Why on earth would any sane person risk injury to them selves or others because of the manners of a third party . Bad drivers around horses are either heedless and don't understand or knobheads.
 
I agree that the large groups of cyclists are very arrogant road users. Their progress along the road is far more important than the car driver it seems. I don't think I've ever been acknowledged, never mind thanked for waiting whilst they organise themselves on the highway.

Having said that, I notice more and more horse riders taking the same attitude. As someone else said, it gives us all a bad name. I have been known to pull over and remind two mature ladies in my area that when a car driver has displayed courtesy to them, the least they can do is acknowledge that. Their response was, "why, we have as much right to use the road as you"
Not surprising that less car drivers are inclined to give way if they perseve all riders to be so rude and arrogant.

As for the hunt riders all thanking cars for waiting. That is perfectly normal as most of these people would be life long real horse people. Rather than the rapidly emerging, very frightening large number of people who keep a horse with no idea whatsoever how to ride it, feed it, clothe it, or care for it. Yet, after 5 minutes around horses are experts.

Sadly I find that in all walks of life most people have no concern for how their actions affect others around them anymore.
Mostly just a lack of respect and manners, but when you have flesh and blood v a large fast moving pile of metal it is prudent to show some gratitude that the driver of that vehicle has afforded you the respect to help keep you safe.

I think it is similar in the world of dog owners. You have the experienced dog owner that no one notices, because they cause no problems to their fellow man. Then you have the huge number of owners who do not understand at all how to train and responsibly own a dog but feel they have every right to do whatever they like with their noisy, rude, sometimes aggressive dog.

Unfortunately these days, many people know their rights, but neither know nor care about their responsibilities, so to expect something as simple as manners and consideration to others would appear to be pretty futile.
 
I always acknowledge other people/drivers/cyclists/walkers who put dogs on leads, either by a nod and a smile, or a thank you, or a hand gesture. I ride in an area where there are a lot of mountain bikers and I do feel that sometimes on a narrow track they can approach from behind silently and woosh past without so much as an excuse me. It does make me angry, all I want is a shout, a cough, a bell ring, something to let me know they are there. Seamus always hears them first but he does get agitated if they just cycle right behind him. Another "pet" hate is dog walkers who let their dogs run around my horses back legs. The owner says oh its ok he doesn't mind horses, well I know that Seamus wont kick a dog on purpose, but the dog owner doesn't know that, for all they know Seamus could hate dogs and could kill a dog with one well aimed kick. Another hate (I am on a roll now!) is walkers who see a horse coming along the track and hide in the trees! I realise they think they are being polite by standing off the track, but it can be scarey for a spooky horse when a walker suddenly moves out from behind a tree!
 
There are several VERY rude horse riders in my area. Met one in Slindon yesterday,got a dirty look for slowing down - Old woman on a welsh type. And in Eartham,Middle aged woman on a coloured NEVER says thankyou, just a glare for any passing motorist. And then the texting teen on the TB......need I go on??
 
I tend to thank people about 8 times (for waiting patiently behind, then as they go past and then give them a wave afterwards - especially if they're hot :p) but as a driver the amount of riders who completely blank you especially when you hold the traffic up for them really annoys me and I ended up winding the window down and giving a sarcastic 'thank youuuu' :mad:
 
Victoria25 said:
I tend to thank people about 8 times (for waiting patiently behind, then as they go past and then give them a wave afterwards - especially if they're hot :p) but as a driver the amount of riders who completely blank you especially when you hold the traffic up for them really annoys me and I ended up winding the window down and giving a sarcastic 'thank youuuu' :mad:
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LOL at the "thank youuuu", I do that as well when I have to! Most riders round my area are polite, but I do find the younger ones seem to be a bit more ignorant. If I ride past in the opposite direction I smile and nod and all I get in return is a stare. There is absolutely no need for bad manners!
 
Ha, it gets me so annoyed!

Me and a friend were out the other week – I was on my 4 year old TB whos being reschooled going down a main road (was fairly quiet though) – I was wear my viz saying horse in training please keep back – an old woman (and I mean granny) came up our backside then soddin beeped :eek: … nearly got off and dragged her out of that soddin car ;) – luckily the horse in question is 110% bombproof but if I was on my arab then she’d have sat on the old cows bonnet :p! Was absolutely livid!!!
 
I was taught manners in general cost nothing. And a smile not only thanks a driver but says im having a great time. When my daughter was little many drivers went passed with a smile on their face at her shouting at top of voice thank you beaming a big smile . :)
 
And just to encourage the drivers to be courteous we have the exuberant traffic cop with a quota to fill!

A friend was recently given a traffic violation ticket for spending too long on the wrong side of the road when passing a TB and rider on it's way back from the local training track.

As a horse rider herself she was giving the young dancing TB plenty of space, there was no other traffic and she was passing wide and slow as instructed in the NZ Highway Code.

I always pass wide and slow and if not able to do so will crawl along well behind the horse until safe to do so. As a rider I always thank drivers with a smile and a wave.

Some years ago we had a campaign to educate the truck drivers - we contacted the companies and asked to speak to the boss of the drivers and then explained to them how they can help our horses use the road safely. Many never realised how sensitive a horse can be and we soon noticed a difference in the way truck drivers behaved towards our riders.

It's definitely a two way street, when driving a horse box or trailer it's important to find a spot where you can let the build up of traffic go past you - nothing annoys a non horsey person more than being stuck behind a horse truck or trailer for miles.
 
I get the feeling a lot of road users (cyclists, riders, drivers), don't actually KNOW what the hand signals mean.

I know a few people who ask why Im waving at people, or nodding and smiling when I don't feel safe taking my hand off the rein.
 
I've never been thanked by a cyclist in my car but have been thanked by plenty of horse riders.
Although there has been plenty of horse riders so rude I've felt physically angry with!
 
I thank all drivers, whether they slow or not :) I feel a courteous salute acknowledges the speeding driver that you are a person (but often they don't make eye contact) and I hope that will be enough to make them think next time.

(I did yell at a foreign car that nearly hit us a while ago, but that is very rare and the driving was crazy)
 
Sadly round my way most of the riders I pass in my car completely ignore me - but pretty much all of the cyclists who pass me on my horses are very pleasant.

I thank all cars that pass me (other than the ones that fly past so fast they can't see me nod or raise my hand!)

One day I will pluck up the courage to stop and ask some of the riders why they act like I'm not there :(:o
 
Ha, most of them are rude near me .. oh no cant say they're all my daft friends :eek::D

Only joking ... most of the people I see near me I know anyway and half of the time I'll drive at the side of them chatting ... :rolleyes:

I def agree with what tnavas said re trailers - I think its only when you're driving one you realise ... I apologise to the traffic behind me like they can hear me but pull over if I find a layby and have a bit queue!

I do think people tend not to realise - I was in the car with an ex years ago and he went right up behind a horse/rider ... thinking he should have known better I gave him a right telling off ... his response was 'but they're all stupid, they just plod and dont care about cars' ... :mad: idiot!
 
Tnavas said:
And just to encourage the drivers to be courteous we have the exuberant traffic cop with a quota to fill!
Click to expand...

What are they? I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of police officers I've seen in this area in the twenty years I've lived here (and 3 of those called at the house following a theft).
Sis & I thank even those drivers who actually manage to stay on their (opposite) side of the road and basically any-one who doesn't take the horses' legs off with their car. But there certainly are a large number of rider who never even glance in the driver's direction. I'm another who lowers the car window and calls out 'Thank you', I'm not sure they get it even then!
Most of our cyclists are good around horses when out on their own, it's when we meet large numbers of them, that they forget their manners. And I truly cannot ever remember a cyclist thanking me as driver - perhaps a few of them should think about that.
I think there should be a part of the driving test which concentrates on hand-signals as there used to be, not all road users have an in-built indicator.
 
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I went out for a hack with people from my new yard the other week. The two younger (17ish) girls rode along side by side. On roads where had the ridden one behind the other, cars could easily have got past, but as it was you could see that drivers didn't think they had enough room and they were all very patient. I feel bad holding drivers up even when I really can't do anything about it...had these two ridden according to the road, they wouldn't have had to hold anyone up. They then didn't make much effort to thank these people who'd waited very patiently behind. (I did).

It really annoys me when riders don't thank drivers. I can imagine that if drivers who don't know much about horses don't get thanked when they slow down, then they might think they don't need to bother next time.

Have got to say...when the hunt were protesting against the ban back home, they were cantering on the white line down a very bendy main road where every now and again a cyclist gets killed. They made no effort to thank anyone who slowed down for them, and how one of them didn't get killed, I don't know. Friends who rode with them said they were very rude and didn't thank anyone. Not saying all hunts are the same!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
What are they? I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of police officers I've seen in this area in the twenty years I've lived here (and 3 of those called at the house following a theft).
Sis & I thank even those drivers who actually manage to stay on their (opposite) side of the road and basically any-one who doesn't take the horses' legs off with their car. But there certainly are a large number of rider who never even glance in the driver's direction. I'm another who lowers the car window and calls out 'Thank you', I'm not sure they get it even then!
Most of our cyclists are good around horses when out on their own, it's when we meet large numbers of them, that they forget their manners. And I truly cannot ever remember a cyclist thanking me as driver - perhaps a few of them should think about that.
Click to expand...

This cop prowls around the training track area and nabs anyone she can! She got another for being a couple of k's above the speed limit. All the riders know she's around now.

We have a large training track and all around the area are racing stables with riders riding too and fro for several hours every day.

Sometime on the grass verge and sometimes on the road past the houses where the owners think they rule the world and have electric tape around the grass verge to keep riders off.
 
I do smile and thank drivers who make an effort to pass me courteously especially if they have had to wait till I get to a passing place.

However some go past so fast, I doubt they could even see a smile and wave and I'm just a blur on the edge of their vision.
 
I did have to give a hand signal warning once - going down a steep narrowish road, I could hear the car coming down behind me quite fast, I turned in the saddle to make sure she was too fast, then put my arm straight out and signalled her to slow down, she sped past us and gave me a cheery wave!
 
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