Riders vs. Drivers

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MerryMaker

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When I am out riding, I ALWAYS make a point of thanking drivers properly, signalling when needed, and am very aware of whose right of way it is, I will also tuck in somewhere to let lots of drivers past if I need to and if it is possible. Even if my horse is being a t*t and it's not safe to take hands off reins, a good nod and a "sorry" smile is as good as putting your hands up to thank, and I certainly ALWAYS wear flourescent.

However, passing a lady on a horse the other day, she did not even aknowledge that a driver was there. As a horse rider myself, I even thought, well I wish we never bothered slowing down! Now I know that's not safe, so I wouldn't even conssider zooming past the next time, but a non-horsey people would probably not bother the next time!

This particular woman in question, I know well, and she's always moaning about drivers not bothering to slow down for her. Now I think it is 50-50, a lot of sensible riders out there, also a lot of ignorant ones.

For this reason, I even acknowledge the drivers who don't slow up, in the hope they think not all riders are the same, and hope maybe they think twice next time they get to a horse.

What do you all think? Do you all thank, etc?
 
I try to thank and smile at everyone, but there are times when I'm too preoccupied with the cuddie to even look at the car, never mind smile or wave.
I do try to catch their eye in the rear view mirror as the drive away.
I agree a bit of courtesy goes a long way.
 
i wear hi-vis and i don't often hack alone so if i can't say thank you, one of the people i ride with will always do.
I do try though to say thank you, but with my neddy is not always possible, i also find they overtake a stupid places and don't give a lot of room which scares the living daylights out of me
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at my yard we hack down a stretch of busy road, about 100m or so, before we turn down a quiet lane. My YO emphasised when I moved to the yard that all liveries are expected to make a point of thanking each and every driver who slows down for them. It works brilliantly and people who use the road regularly especially bus drivers recognise horses from the yard and slow down for us.

My old yard was the total opposite and the other riders would frequently shout abuse at car drivers, the yard was known for it, and we had so many near misses where drivers revved their engines etc at us it was unbelieveable.

As a driver it annoys me if I give way to another driver and they don't thank me and its exactly the same with riding - non riders don't understand that you may be concentrating on controlling the horse and won't forget if you don't thank them!
 
It always amazes me when i slow right down to pass riders and they don't even give me smile let alone a thank you.
i always at least smile and tip my head and shout thank you if it isn't safe to take a hand off. we riders are too vulnerable on roads to risk drivers getting p****d off with us. i worry about my daughter wanting to hack her pony even with me riding next to her as there are some right numpty drivers out there.
 
I always hack out on my own now. Always wear hi-viz, always thank drivers and on our narrow lanes, I always trot on and get out of the way asap if it's too narrow for vehicles to pass. I used to hack with other people from nearby, but they never wear hi-viz and hack out at the busiest times of the day (school run/work run time) and think nothing about holding up the traffic . Even my neighbour, who is the nicest person you could meet and also used to ride, has had a moan about them holding up all the traffic and never thanking anyone for slowing down. Luckily my own horses are very distinctive looking and I am recognised for wearing all the bright gear - someone even stopped me and said he liked my horse's bracelets (hi-fiz legbands)
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I was really impressed with the yard where I bought my last horse from - it was a rule of the yard that everyone riding out had to wear hi-viz.
 
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and am very aware of whose right of way it is

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Sorry but horses have a much right to be on the road as drivers and cyclists.
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I do however thank drivers who have past considerately. I also always wear Hi-Viz when on roads.
 
I am afraid that there are two many riders out there that show a total lack of courtesy to other road users. There is absolutely no reason why a rider can not nod their head and give a friendly smile to those that show courtesy to them.

This does not however excuse other users from driving dangerously or without due care and attention when meeting or passing horse riders on the road or public rights of way.

I think it is an excellent idea as stated above that the yard owner incists that riders show courtesy to other road users and I aplaud her initiative in making this yard policy.
 
I thank everyone that shows courtesy and just ignore those that go whizzing past. If I don't really want to take my hand off the reins I'll try and catch their eye and nod.
However, I think it should be a two way thing. I always try and find places to pull in for drivers so they can get past easier. I would expect a thank you for doing so, seeing as I have as much right to be on the road as them, so am just doing this to make their lives easier. If they just whizz past without acknowledging me, I think "Why should I bother?" the same as they would if I didn't thank them for slowing down.
 
Hate to say it but 99% of riders in my area are complete N0bs - never say thanks and seem to glare at you even more if you crawl past them - I will not condone bad driver antics but I I do get very annoyed with the horse riders in my locality, you do get the odd silly driver but only very rarely TBH but I see more bad riders and horses that bad drivers,
 
I think its typical of society in general these days. No-one has any respect and please and thank you's seem to be a thing of the past. I always thanks drivers who slow down and I know local drivers do appreciate it - there are lots of horses in my area and a lot of road work to do to get anywhere.
But the amount of riders who can't be a*sed with even a smile or a nod and yes as a car driver and rider it makes me mad. I have almost accepted that drivers will pass at speed, although most of them do pull out to pass, which is something. I won't thank those who don't pass properly. I think that thanking bad drivers would just encourage them to think that what they've just done is acceptable. I have been known to flick the v's and shout w****r at those who drive by honking their horns. I've been abused for just being on the road on a horse. But don't worry I can give as good as I get if necessary. What I don't get is that do these idiots not have any idea of what would happen in a horse landed on their car. Yes, horse and rider would be done for, but as a driver, I don't want 1/2 tonne of horse through my windscreen.
ooooh, I'm all angry now....... must have some chocolate to help me calm down !!!
 
oh yes, and while we are on the subject of ignorance and bad road manners, what about horse riders on the road yapping on their mobile phones. FFS, it can't be that important that you have to take a call whilst on top of your horse. How safe is that ???
ps. I also always wear my hi-viz gear and so does my horse.
 
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oh yes, and while we are on the subject of ignorance and bad road manners, what about horse riders on the road yapping on their mobile phones. FFS, it can't be that important that you have to take a call whilst on top of your horse. How safe is that ???
ps. I also always wear my hi-viz gear and so does my horse.

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I rode out with someone who answered their phone on the road, I wouldn't dream of doing that, ridiculous. They just kinda kept their head down and got loads of dirty looks.
 
Around here no one seems to say thankyou either, i ALWAYS do. There are nice drivers and bad drivers in equal measures here and same for good mannered and bad mannered riders. Some cant say thanks as they are too busy holding their phone or cigarette (my pet hate is people smoking on their horses), whereas some drivers have come right up behind me on a main road more than wide enough to pass and honked their horns revving engines- theres no need for that and i dont know how a rider could even be that rude in return? although i do know someone who galloped after them and banged on their car. Wouldn't recomend that tho.
 
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I thank everyone that shows courtesy and just ignore those that go whizzing past. If I don't really want to take my hand off the reins I'll try and catch their eye and nod.
However, I think it should be a two way thing. I always try and find places to pull in for drivers so they can get past easier. I would expect a thank you for doing so, seeing as I have as much right to be on the road as them, so am just doing this to make their lives easier. If they just whizz past without acknowledging me, I think "Why should I bother?" the same as they would if I didn't thank them for slowing down.

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I am in total agreement with SugarNSpice there.
We have as much right to be on the road as anyone else, and on many occasions we don't have the option that a car driver has of brakes or steering. As a driver of more than 36 years I always give way to riders no matter how quiet and sensible their horses may appear and I don't expect a great big thank you either. Courtesy is a nice gesture, but for some riders its not always an easy or practical option. Even a thanking nod can be forgotten if you are riding a nervous or difficult animal.
Certainly horse owners should be more understanding, when driving, than the average car driver, and surely not go around expecting everyone to prioritise thanking the driver before keeping themselves and their horse safe.
You seldom hear of car drivers getting maimed or killed in a collision with a horse.
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