riding on the roads

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harrihjc

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A couple of recent incidents have made me think about the safety of riding on the roads. I've noticed so many horrible accidents mentioned on here, and there have been a few closer to home.
In the summer my sister was out riding with a friend, on a track that ran along side a quiet country lane, when her pony was spooked by a driver who did not slow down at all. The pony fell down a bank and landed on top of my 13yr old sister on the road and both of them were hurt. The driver did not stop.
Then, on halloween this year the horse my sister was riding was spooked by a bag that blew up and stuck to his chest, she was thrown off onto the road. The horse was then spooked by a car and trampled my sister, who ended up in hospital with a broken collar bone and nasty injuries to her face, neck, ribs and hip.
I posted about the first incident on a car forum I regularly used (being a bit of a petrol head!) and was horrified by some of the responses. I was told 'the stupid b*tch deserves it for taking her horse on a road', and that roads were for cars not horses and why should they slow down. If horses can't deal with fast cars going past they shouldnt be allowed out of the fields, we should stick to bridleways, and so on. I find I encounter some inconsiderate drivers every time I ride out, some simply don't slow down, other beep the horn and yell abuse.
I personally believe we have every right to use the roads and that drivers should slow down, I would not go out riding along main roads, but sometimes you have to deal with busier roads to get to bridleways. Equally I wouldn't ride a horse I considered unsafe on the roads.
I would be interested to hear all your thoughts on this
(sorry for the mega long post!)
 
I do ride on roads, but they are quiet ones and you hardly ever meet cars. I think country roads should also have speed limits reduced.

My dad is a lorry driver and greatly believes horses should only be allowed on the wee minor/country roads. Not because it annoys him having to crawl past, but it's safer for horse and rider. He hates meeting horses while out driving as he drives the biggest kind of lorries we have over here and the air brakes make a horrible hissing noise and he is always worried about it spooking even the most bombproof horse even though he slows right down for them
 
we do have every right to use the roads and should be treated with respect i have to ride on the roads to get to the bridles and drivers just zoom past with out a care in the world! My horse once slipped on a grid and sparks flew up from his shoes and spooked him! He jumped out into the middle of the road and the driver moved out of the way and beeped at me and started shouting control your horse it nearky got my car! I jsut shouted back you shouldnt be passing so close to use! He then stated that he could get me introuble for riding on the roads as it was illegal! It just goes to show you what some car driversreally know! If they kept their distance then there would be no problems!
 
I also stick to country rodes, but the infrastructure round here is in my opinion appalling, and lorries and cars frequently use them as a short cut becasue the main roads are so congested.
 
Most of us have to ride on the roads - and around by me I have to say that most of the traffic I meet are great.

However, tbh I am quite often suprised at how little road sense a lot of riders have - and don't think that many do themselves any favours to be honest.
 
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I would agree witht hat AmyMay, not enough people read up on what they should do etc on riding on the roads...correct ways to approach roads etc

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It's not even that to be honest. I've never read any literature on 'how' to ride on the road.

It's just that some people seem to have no common sense.
 
I took the decision a few years ago to stop riding on the roads, after a friend of mine and her horse were killed while out hacking. The horse had always seemed very bombproof (but of course.. they never are) and she was capable but never the less *something* happened that day and her horse bolted down a country lane and out onto a main road.

She was hit by a car (the driver couldnt have done anything and wasnt speeding by any means) and died at the side of the road. Her horse was PTS there and then also.

She was 14 years old.

As Ive mentioned in another post before, another girl who I knew of (but wasnt friends with) was killed by a lorry, quite close to the place the above mentioned girl was after her horse spooked at a pheasant in the hedge. She worked at a livery yard i was at and the horses were ridden up the road 5 times a week... Sadly, she wasnt the only fatality in that accident and a couple of drivers of cars behind the lorry also died.

I wont step foot (or hoof) on roads now as regardless of whether we have the right to be there, they're not suitable for horses anymore... there is just too much traffic and with everyone living such busy lives, people are always in a rush to be somewhere
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Ive read the articles in the news section with sadness and my heart goes out to both the riders who lost horses this week
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I ride along a short stretch of road most times I ride, its probably about 100 m long. Never had any problems, the odd person not slowing down but thats it. I don't a lot of drivers realise that if they hit a horse at high speeds, they may well write off their cars, as well as themselves. I also think a large majority genuinely don't realise that a horse might spook, they think they'll just behave like a car.

Same old arguement about riders being just as bad though. so many are so irresponsible!
 
We are lucky as we have deserted and remote country lanes to hack along and can hack without seeing more than one or two cars.
I rarely have ignorant drivers and think in this neck of the woods people are pretty rural and understanding around horses.
There must be off road provision for horses though, I'm getting bolder about riding on farmers frields and am getting keener on the right to roam concept. When I was a child I was hacking alone from the age of 10 for hours on the roads. Things are very different now.
 
I'm very lucky that my horses are all very well behaved on the roads, although as you say that's not necessarily all there is to it! We are stabled 5 minutes from Croydon town centre and the roads are very busy. We're lucky we have a choice of bridleways - not as many as I would like, but we have to contend with the cars and the trams!!

Personally, having moved from a "quieter" yard with country lanes, high hedges and sharp bends, I think I would prefer to ride on the main roads I do now - at least many of them are wide enough and straight enough for drivers to see you. Having said that I NEVER go out without my reflective gear on and I look like a christmas tree. I always avoid rush hour times and try to ride as early as I can to avoid too many people. We're pretty much the last stables in Croydon and I really believe we should not be forced out by stupid drivers. However, the blame is equal on horse and rider and TBH I'm not surprised some drivers have these attitudes towards riders!!
 
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I also stick to country rodes, but the infrastructure round here is in my opinion appalling, and lorries and cars frequently use them as a short cut becasue the main roads are so congested.

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I have paid to use the toll rides but sadly I still have to use country roads (about 2 miles) to get to them and the roads near our yard are total rat-runs. I would say 75% of motorists slow down and give enough space so I make a point of waving and giving them a smile or mouthing 'thank you'.

The other 25% of drivers are total w**kers and make me want to stick the middle finger up at them but I try and restrain myself as I know it makes things worse for all riders. Some people need to go home and revise their highway code, too, as I have signalled with my arm for them to slow down and have been totally ignored.

Unfortuately, a small number of riders are not helping the situation. I am still driving past riders who cannot be bothered to acknowledge that I gone past wide and slow (15mph) and there are others who make no effort to make themselves plainly visible - I wish they would get over their need to look cool and realise that loads of flourescent gear stands out a mile and helps drivers see them (and react) well in advance.

I think that all riders with 3rd party insurance have a right to be on the road and that is it really so much to ask a driver to slow down for perhaps 30 seconds? Does it really add that much time to their journey? Also, I think if you are driving around country lanes there should be a speed limit and you should always be covering the brake, expecting the unexpected around the next corner.

But again, riders have to help. We can no longer take riding on the road for granted and must take defensive measures eg hi vis gear and good roadcraft.
 
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I was told 'the stupid b*tch deserves it for taking her horse on a road'

I can't believe somebody would have such an incredibly heartless attitude to another human being (and of course her horse)- it's sickening.

As both a driver and a rider I can sympathise with both parties. All it takes is consideration on both sides; when riding I'll pull in if I'm holding a car up (where safe, and possible), and when driving I drive stop (if possible) to let the horse/rider past or drive very slowly if need be.
 
I find it very sad that more and more riders seem to be put off riding on roads and feel that they should not be there for some reason or it is un-safe. I am straight on on country lanes but some of them are quite busy and it is usual to meet tractors and lorries too. Sometimes I get butterflies in my stomach as I set off, and I know it is because of the 'what the hell will we meet today' scenario.
I have a pretty good boy in traffic, it is little things that get him like rustling hedges! But I use common sense and am always listening for cars and looking for any potential hazards...it is a shame but that is how I have stayed safe so far (touch wood).
Winter for me is the nightmare because I have to ride out during the day when everyone is about and on the roads...as soon as it is light enough I will be out at 5.30/6.00am every day...it is a different world then and the odd driver you do meet gets to know you are there and is considerate with you.
I do think you have to be careful and find a lot of riders totally ignorant to what is going on around them...I have been sat behind riders talking and ambling along for some time before they realise I am there and slowly move over to let me pass...in these circumstances I can understand drivers getting the hump.
We have to be responsible as riders, yes we have a right to be on the road, but we are more at risk than drivers in cars so we have to do everything we can to look after ourselves and our horses.
And get that reflective gear on of you don't already!
 
horses were used long before cars!

when i ride out on the road i always thank the driver if they slowed down. i've had a few falls on the road whilst riding young ponies out and they have spooked at a slow car (they were only just learning and i had a "CAUTION YOUNG HORSE" tabard on) the driver stopped to see if i was okay and then drove on. though i have also had a fall from a very experience horse who is used tothe roads where a lorry sped past and let the air brakes off. scared the effing poo out of me!!!

but what i also find rude is, when im in the car with mum or dad, both of them slow down if we are infront or behind horses and the riders don't thank us, its called having a lack of manners which is really inconsiderate seeing as we slowed down. once we were driving along a quiet country lane this woman and her horse were jogging down the road, the woman struggling to hold her horse, i was just on my way to riding so dad slowed right up and i called out of the window and asked if she was okay and if she needed any help, the woman then proceeded to eff and blind at me telling me to mind my own p!ssing business and to eff off home!!!
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i havent read any of the other posts above. but if horse riders are considerate to drivers, then they should be condiderate to riders. treat others how you expect to be treated!

what also makes me really mad is when i see people on the road with no reflectives, its dangerous and your putting yourself and your horse in danger!!!

if possible stick to the roads you know are safe and quiet and use bridle paths where possible.

umm eyah, not sure if anyhing i said made sense!
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Lizzie =] x
 
I don't think you should ever put yourself in the position that you may fall off. Only very, very experienced people should take young horses/ponies out on the roads and they should always be with more experienced 'nanny' horses.

ETS: I'm not saying your a bad rider Lizzie, or not experienced enough you can just never be too careful when young, inexperienced horses are involved
 
Aren't you admitting liability if you wear one of those tabards saying young horse as they highway code says you should be able to control horse before taking it out on the roads - I thought there was a thing with the insurers about that but I may be wrong?!

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I keep my horse in the centre of Bath and have no choice but to ride on the roads, round the Royal Crescent etc. I think it is quite a shock to people to see a horse and they all tend to give us a wide berth. Saying that I wouldn't buy a horse unless it could cope with the buses, lorries, cars, kids on bikes, skateboards and rollerskates etc. I would feel very bad if I caused an accident on a horse I knew wasn't 100%
 
I totally agree that some riders seem to set out to make enemies of car drivers by not wearing reflective gear, not moving to the side, not acknowledging drivers who do slow down and pull out for them. I regularly drive cautiously past strings of riders from a local riding school and a trekking centre and the escorts rarely wave thanks or even smile - how on earth are the pupils going to learn road manners if the escorts don't set an example?
 
I find it absolutely amazing the abuse that we as horseriders are supposed to put up just because we have to ride on the roads. Surely cyclists and walkers don't get shouted at, sworn at and in my case the other day, chased with a broom! Sometimes so-called quiet country lanes are the worst - the ones round here are narrow with no verges and the cars use them as a de-restricted rat run.
 
I abuse cyclists - it really annoys me that my tax has been spent on providing them with cycle paths and they refuse to use them. Really really really winds me up. If you were given a nice bridleway down the side of the road would you insist on wobbling around in front of every car that trys to get past you on the busiest road in Bristol.
 
It enrages me when rude people who hack along on the buckle end, fag in hand or on mobile or chatting to friend dont acknowledge me slowing for hem, its just so rude, I always make an effort to nod or raise my hand even on youngsters. These ignorant riders are just making other riders lives a misery.
 
we have to ride on the roads to a certain extent and most are very good, however there are an increasing number of t..ts that do not slow down at all and drive far too close, most of mine are ace in traffic buts in the bags and birds etc in the hedge that might jump out that bothers me. i have found that if drivers are speeding too fast i ride in the middle of the road if far enough away and safe enough and usually they slow down, it is getting a problem though everywhere
 
I always make sure I thank anyone who slows down and I always wear a 'caution young horse' reflective thing. There are some people who love to see the horses and like to stroke them, others are plain rude. I was told that we should be made to clear up our horses poo like dog owners. Haha, can you imagine it, riding along with a huge sack and a spade to collect poo in and having to get on and off your horse! An odd concept!
 
i'm in the process of trying to find a company to print me a tabard saying


PASS ME SLOWLY OR I WILL SQUASH AND KILL YOU TOO


i have to go out onto a busy main 60 mph road to get to any hacking places it has loads of lorry's and buses ect on it plus police sirens go off up and down all day everyday.
Its a nightmare but i have been leading my horse out to introduce him to the heavier traffic but its not really helping as theres so many drivers out there today rushing.
 
i am in the middle of liverpool and ride on some very busy roads tho wouldnt do it if my horse wasnt good in traffic and i honestly think i am far safer than some of the people that hack out on country lanes as they are twisty and bendy and hedges make for poor visability and things can 'jump' up on you but where i ride the roads are wider usually fairly straight unless i am in a side road and i can see whats coming i know its busy between 8-9 in the morning so dont do roadwork at that time but where i got for my lesson in warrington its all country lanes and the speedlimit is 40 in some places and you cant see for the 7 ft hedges their roads tend to only be big enough for two cars just about so if you meet a lorry it must be tight. we are very lucky in that there has been horses at the yard for 50 years and are very weel known and we have some fab neighbours and very conciderate drivers
 
[ QUOTE ]
Most of us have to ride on the roads - and around by me I have to say that most of the traffic I meet are great.

However, tbh I am quite often suprised at how little road sense a lot of riders have - and don't think that many do themselves any favours to be honest.

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i have to agree here, i have come across riders doing their best to camoflage themselves against the hedges in twilight, riders on mobile phones, riders not even so much as nodding acknowledgement for slowing down, just looking down their nose at you, or worse still just totally in another world, so i can see both sides of the argument!
 
I have hacked on the roads for 35 years 20 years of which where in London.

I have always worn either a bright orange Kagoule (before Hi-Viz arrived) and then Hi Viz.

I avoid riding out when there is low bright sunshine as it blinds the drivers and also if it is windy as stuff gets blown all over the place. I do not ride on the roads whene it is getting dark or dark.

Similar to any other discipline such as dresage a horse and rider has to be trained to be ridden on the road and then get experience. I believe that a horse needs to go out for at least a couple of hours per day for several years to get it to be really good and relaxed on the roads. There is little point in going out infrequently as this will not give it sufficient exposure.

Yes! riding in London is safer as there is a 30 m.p.h speed limit and visibility is far better because there are few blind bends.

I always acknowledge drivers that slow down for me or give me a wide berth.

I also carry a whistle to alert people I am there if they don't realise I am there or see me (shooting parties).

I would recommend that anyone riding on the roads however experienced take there BHS road safety course and exam. It is excellent.

The BHS are making big efforts to ensure that horse riders will be able to use cycle tracks and also to provide more off road riding routes however they do need to increase their membership so as to fund this.
 
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