Riding on icy roads

I ride (barefoot) on icy roads as long as I know the road and exactly where the ice forms, know when the road will be quiet, and know I'm on a horse which will go exactly where it is told one foot at a time and not panic if one foot slips.
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Personally, I would do it but stick to bridleways and quiet roads. I live near a big dual carriageway coming off a motorway, but even I manage to find ways around it to stay safe, so I promise there will always be something, even if it's just a walk up and down the lane!
 
I'm barefoot too and it's too risky for me on roads. I have a real 4x4 type native that will go over the roughest of terrain and has barely slipped with me in 9 years but it's not worth the small risk of a fall or even worse, being hit by another road user who has skidded on ice.

We have direct access to off road riding so can still hack if not too icy but I don't want to risk an unnecessary slip there either and need to use some quiet country lanes roads for longer routes which aren't likely to be gritted. I'd rather miss a few weeks of hacking than live with the possible consequences, personally.
 
Never!
I last rode on icy rode in wales on a trek with a RS many yrs ago. I was shocked we were taken out on roads tbh.

Wasn’t 10 minutes into the ride on quiet country roads that a bin/refuse truck came around the corner we were heading towards, and all the horses were slipping and freaking out. It was horrendous.
I was at the back of the line on a native pony who was far enough away to not freak and slip, he just jolted in surprise, and i saw it all unfold. We were all so lucky no-one was injured.

I dreamt last night of sliding in a car on icy roads and having no control....so despite needing food shopping, rations will have to suit until the southern weather returns!! There’s no salting happening on my rural roads which are all surroinded by trees either side, so no melt happening, layers of frost accumulating daily. Roll on sunday’s southern stream of weather!
 
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