Riding "2-up" on the roads

abbijay

abbijay

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Does anyone know how the highway code, or other applicable laws, would view having 2 riders on the same horse on the road?
And would liability insurance cover if there was an accident when 2 people were mounted?
 
Not sure about the law, but common sense would dictate that it's whether you're in control that counts.

Same with bareback, riding in a headcollar or even a bitless bridle.
 
We used to do it. Bareback! However, that was 40 years ago, when elf and safety was a lot different, and the roads were a lot quieter.
 
abbijay said:
Does anyone know how the highway code, or other applicable laws, would view having 2 riders on the same horse on the road?
And would liability insurance cover if there was an accident when 2 people were mounted?
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Would anyone stupid enough to do this have any insurance to invalidate?
 
I believe that when it is safe to do so, it is preferred and part of the Highway Code to ride side by side as 1) car drivers treat you as more of an obstacle and 2) you are generally more visible and they are less likely to take silly risks. 3) the overtaking distance is significantly shorter. It is the same as cyclists, there is a reason they ride 2 abreast. Although things may have changed now. As for insurance I wouldn't know.
 
abbijay said:
I feel I should point out that it's not me looking to do this...
It would be an adult riding and a child strapped to the chest (a bit like a tandem sky dive).
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Are they bloody insane?! I assume by this you mean a small child in a carrier? If do never mind the insurance if they came off that child is a goner.
 
xch4r said:
I believe that when it is safe to do so, it is preferred and part of the Highway Code to ride side by side as 1) car drivers treat you as more of an obstacle and 2) you are generally more visible and they are less likely to take silly risks. 3) the overtaking distance is significantly shorter. It is the same as cyclists, there is a reason they ride 2 abreast. Although things may have changed now. As for insurance I wouldn't know.
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The OP was asking about two people on the same horse, not two people riding on two horses.
 
Whaaat!!??!! When I bought my baby bjorn (baby carrier) it had several pictures on the front of scenarios when it should not be used and one was whilst horse riding. I could only joke about it but now I'm scared. I seriously hope no one is quite so desperate to ride they would put a baby at risk? :(
 
Possibly the same nutters who ski with a baby in a back pack, until one got frost bite in the toes, seriously some people, if you have a child please act responsibly and have someone care for it if you need to something physical and dangerous!

I don't get it, I ski, ride, do neither with a small baby in tow, just weird!
 
Used to laugh in horror as girl on old yard would tack up, hat and Bp then strap baby sling on and go hacking, baby too small for hat or anything. Why bother with your own hat if u have a horse u trust enough for ur baby to be on without 1? Why risk baby that small on any horse?
 
Spotsrock said:
Used to laugh in horror as girl on old yard would tack up, hat and Bp then strap baby sling on and go hacking, baby too small for hat or anything. Why bother with your own hat if u have a horse u trust enough for ur baby to be on without 1? Why risk baby that small on any horse?
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I simply could not have stood by and watched that.
 
PollyP99 said:
Possibly the same nutters who ski with a baby in a back pack, until one got frost bite in the toes, seriously some people, if you have a child please act responsibly and have someone care for it if you need to something physical and dangerous!

I don't get it, I ski, ride, do neither with a small baby in tow, just weird!
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Yep, totally agree with this. The mind boggles!
 
....****.....sorry, speechless moment!
Neglect, deliberately putting a child in danger, distracting other road users...I am turning a funny colour just thinking about this!
Yep, must be a wind-up, DOH!
 
Nessa4 said:
Please tell me this is a wind-up (Silly season???!!)
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No, sadly it's not!.
I a currently looking for a new sharer for my 1 in a million horse (18hh Clydesdale who really will step up or down a gear as requested). Got approached by a fab, experienced adult who ticked every box. When she met us she explained her main interest in him was to take her 4yo out on hacks with her. I was so surprised i didn't immediately reject it.
I have let my tiny kids (nearly 2yo twins) have a "ride" on him with me. They have to have hats on, always have spare hands around and we just have a very gentle walk in the arena with no one else allowed in. It's just a way of letting them feel involved with him so they don't resent when we have to do his chores together.
I just wanted to know the legal implications on the roads so I could have a reasonable discussion rather than appearing to be a crazy lady who just says No!
 
In that case, you should definitely say no. If anything were to happen, regardless of how 'bombproof' the horse is, who would be liable. You would certainly be in the firing line, having agreed for her to do it on your horse.

Ax
 
It is entirely different to let small children sit up in front of an adult to potter around in an enclosed area on a trusted horse (which I assume yours is :) ) than it is to physically strap them on and go out hacking.
Horses are horses at the end of the day and no matter how well you think you know them there is always a "what if" element if you are mixing horses - and big ones at that & small children - as a responsible parent you need to minimise the risks as much as possible & this proposal is just asking for trouble.

You are not the crazy one in this situation this other lady is
Imagine your horse had a trip or stumble & they fell, how would you feel? If she thinks this idea is sensible, what other weird & wonderful things will she be getting up to?
 
It's the strapping together that's not OK.

I rode out with my 3/4yo daughter in front on a pony (might have been bareback, can't remember), before I broke him to harness and got a carriage to take the children out in. She wore a hat, and was more secure than she would have been without me. No-one would question a small child being led on such a pony, and mum has much more control as rider than on the ground, should anything unexpected happen.

I think there's something lovely about doing this - on a safe pony, with a hat. Rosie can't be much more than 2, riding Buster the one-balled Dartmoor below.

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abbijay said:
It would be an adult riding and a child strapped to the chest (a bit like a tandem sky dive).
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How stupid would this person have to be to put their child (or anyone's child as such risk?!)

You have to really trust a pong when a child is riding on the road , have proper safety equipment body protector etc and safe accompanying horse but with a child strapped to an adult if there was an accident, a spook or fall the risks of worse injury is greater, such as crushing etc.


Stupid to even think of it!
 
Also this person must be even more insane to suggest it do early on.
Yes your horse is safe, you know your horse, but to the potential sharer how does she know the horse is as god as you say?

No offence OP, but we all know how people can lie or exaggerate their horses abilities etc.
 
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