Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
I could, if our local one hadnt closed. I will ring again tomorrow. Its not giving me a option to email.
Road rage against riders.
- Thread starter Sandstone1
- Start date
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
Absolutely, the size of the horse makes a difference! My Draft horse, who was absolutely rock solid and almost never spooked at anything and certainly not in traffic was always given a wide berth, whereas sister's Appaloosa, spooky mare, who wasn't worried about traffic but could spook at a different coloured flower, if the mood took her was often subject to vehicles almost ignoring her presence
AmyMay
Situation normal
Have always ridden two abreast, and then fallen in to single file to allow car to pass, unless riding with a youngster or slightly traffic shy horse when we'd stay two abreast.
The most important thing is to acknowledge the cars with a big wave and thanks.
The most important thing is to acknowledge the cars with a big wave and thanks.
sport horse
Well-Known Member
You must ride two a breast to protect a young/spooky horse. However do make sure that you are not just chatting to the other rider and that you are actually noticing the traffic and acknowleging their waiting with a hand if you can or a smile and nod. Nothing annoys me more than 'stupid' riders on their patent safety plods, two a breast, holding up the traffic, failing to thank other road users etc. In fact just being complete oblivious ..........s. They do the whole horse fraternity a great disservice.
However a driver turning round to come back for 'another go' needs reporting to the police. Road rage?
However a driver turning round to come back for 'another go' needs reporting to the police. Road rage?
Griffin
Well-Known Member
We ride single file through villages but always two abreast when on the lanes (unless it's a narrow bit or a twisty corner). Despite dripping in hi viz, being courteous (moving off the road where possible and thanking drivers) and on very good horses, we have had the odd near miss. I would always report dangerous driving to the BHS and the police because if nothing else it keeps a record. Someone overtaking and having a go is not nice but to come back for a second crack at you is rather aggressive in my opinion.
Quigleyandme
Well-Known Member
Is it really about what is lawful or reasonable or is it about peoples' attitudes? As long as drivers think they are entitled to behave as aggressively, entitled and dangerously as they want and the police don't have the resources to do anything about it nobody will be safe on the roads, whether in a car, on a horse or bike or on foot. Everyday I meet some bum hole in the lanes who drives up to my bumper, mouths obscenities at me whilst frantically gesturing "go back", sticks to my bumper while I reverse in the most intimidating way and then speeds off with a parting obscene gesture or sneer. That is life in modern day rural Devon. My mate is a superb driver and a life long Devonian and loves the moors and sea with a passion but he is thinking of moving to Skye.
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
I agree with the above loads of people’s attitudes stink now a days you see all over all the time .
luckyoldme
Well-Known Member
I'm back driving for a living again and love my job. Some of the stuff I see is. Outrageous from all groups of road users. It isn't about inconsiderate car drivers. That's a rude person and they would still be rude whatever their mode of transport.
Rowreach
👀
It's got to the point where any time someone shows manners or consideration on the roads I find myself feeling surprised.
splashgirl45
Lurcher lover
although we always rode double on roads i do think that it is better to go in single file when traffic is going to pass. this applies to both horse riders and cyclists. as car drivers we are told to give bikes and horses plenty of room when we pass. if said bikes and horses are riding double file it is almost impossible for a car to give the outer one the right amount of room. say a rider of a bike hits a pothole and cannons into the outer rider causing them to fall, the car would run over them... as others have said it is very important for all riders(bikes as well) to acknowledge the cars waiting and to thank any who pass slowly and carefully.. in my area its the hordes of bikers who drive me mad as they are all riding double and i have to pass too close IMO to the outer rider...they are also guilty of never saying thankyou or even seem to be aware of a long queue of traffic behind them. they are much worse than the horse riders....
Suechoccy
Well-Known Member
Please report it to the police, be factual and non-emotional. The driver was in the wrong. The police will go by the law and the law is the Highway Code which specifically mentions riding two-abreast as being acceptable in particular situations, and also mentions that if you are riding a young or nervous horse, you should ride in company. https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/rules-about-animals-horse-riders.html
Pedantic
Well-Known Member
Headcam everyride and report when required, part of my tack, feel naked without.
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
Some years ago the Police had a stand at the Three Counties Show promoting safety on the roads for farming and rural communities. I had an interesting chat with them, and they absolutely advised riding in pairs where safe to do so. Their reasoning was multi pointed.
A pair of horses is more easily seen than one horse tucked in the verge/hedge and whereas the motorist is very likely to speed past the single horse far too close because there is room for 2 cars to pass the horse at the same time, a pair of horses prevent this 'skimming' past and forces a give way to happen to oncoming traffic, thus slowing everything down.
A pair of horses is the same width as a carriage or slow moving vehicle and all are perfectly legal.
A single horse should still be ridden prominently not in the gutter, on the pavement or verge. Motorists have no idea a horse can move sideways at speed and consider a horse off the carriageway to be 'out of their way' and in no need for caution or consideration.
Be seen be safe was the main mantra and an off the record comment has always stuck in my mind. Some riders keep a handful of pea gravel in their pocket and if they get hassled, throw a handful on the roof of the car !
A pair of horses is more easily seen than one horse tucked in the verge/hedge and whereas the motorist is very likely to speed past the single horse far too close because there is room for 2 cars to pass the horse at the same time, a pair of horses prevent this 'skimming' past and forces a give way to happen to oncoming traffic, thus slowing everything down.
A pair of horses is the same width as a carriage or slow moving vehicle and all are perfectly legal.
A single horse should still be ridden prominently not in the gutter, on the pavement or verge. Motorists have no idea a horse can move sideways at speed and consider a horse off the carriageway to be 'out of their way' and in no need for caution or consideration.
Be seen be safe was the main mantra and an off the record comment has always stuck in my mind. Some riders keep a handful of pea gravel in their pocket and if they get hassled, throw a handful on the roof of the car !
YorksG
Over the hill and far awa
My late Father used to make several knots in the end of his driving whip and would bang it on the roof of any car that got too close. A woman we used to livery with used to carry bits of branch, rather than a "proper" stick, and chuck them at cars that got too close!
OldFogie
Provocateur
It was bad enough when I last rode out twenty years ago - there were plenty of obnoxious ignorant barstewards out there (and some were even barstewardesses!) back then - but now... OMG!!! I wouldn't do any roadwork unless it was absolutely unavoidable and only then if could find a safety car to guard my ass (well my mount's!)
Most drivers seem to think that they are on the most important mission in the Universe and how very dare anyone get in their way. They fly around blind bends, race to passing places in narrow lanes, toot, gesticulate and swear at the drop of at hat.
Riders have a perfect right to hack out two abreast - the only stipulation I'd make - is that they should be paying attention at all times and look behind at regular intervals - eye contact seem to put most drivers off killing you by accident (though some still want to on purpose!). I've come up behind riders from my own yard behaving like disasters waiting to happen - two and three abreast, wandering all over the road, smoking, chatting and bearly in control. My main concern is less about rights and more about the poor horses.
Most drivers seem to think that they are on the most important mission in the Universe and how very dare anyone get in their way. They fly around blind bends, race to passing places in narrow lanes, toot, gesticulate and swear at the drop of at hat.
Riders have a perfect right to hack out two abreast - the only stipulation I'd make - is that they should be paying attention at all times and look behind at regular intervals - eye contact seem to put most drivers off killing you by accident (though some still want to on purpose!). I've come up behind riders from my own yard behaving like disasters waiting to happen - two and three abreast, wandering all over the road, smoking, chatting and bearly in control. My main concern is less about rights and more about the poor horses.
OldFogie
Provocateur
Fortunately, I'm a bloke and for most of my riding life, I stood well over 6ft (shrunk a bit now) and have always followed a physical lifestyle ( I think Bear Grills is a pussycat!) - I've done considerably more than thrown pea gravel at inconsiderate drivers! Once upon at time, after an incident - the stupid driver was held up stationary further up the lane - with his window open!!! Let's just say that he was appraised of how to behave in future.
Sukistokes2
Well-Known Member
The police will need to take this more seriously then a violation of the HWC. The driver came back after the first incident and continued the confrontation, this is an assault and should be addressed.
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
A similar thing happened to a friend of mine, fortunately she had a witness. It went to court and he got fined and 6 points on his licence
Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
A quick update to this.
Ive reported this to the police who do seem interested.
If the driver is local they are going to speak to him. They will update me as and when they speak to him. Ive also reported it to Bhs.
I know its not a major incident but why should we be shouted at for doing nothing wrong.
Ive reported this to the police who do seem interested.
If the driver is local they are going to speak to him. They will update me as and when they speak to him. Ive also reported it to Bhs.
I know its not a major incident but why should we be shouted at for doing nothing wrong.
PapaverFollis
Well-Known Member
I once had a chap undertake me while my horse was across a single track lane spooking at dogs behind a hedge. I had given him a clear hand signal to wait but on he came. I said "WTAF!" in surprise as he zipped past at speed. I think he heard cos he skidded to a stop and wound his window down.... I think I'm a bit scary when I get going though cos after about 20 seconds of me yelling he wound it back up and drove on. I was yelling because I felt threatened by him stopping more than anything. I now aim for a calm smile and wave whatever they do to avoid provoking a response!
Well done for reporting. It was unacceptable behaviour from the driver and I hope he has second thoughts in future.
Well done for reporting. It was unacceptable behaviour from the driver and I hope he has second thoughts in future.
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
That reminds me of something that happened a long while ago to me. I was riding along and the car behind me slowed right down and was passing me carefully giving me a wide berth when the car behind him whizzed through on the inside of that car between it and my pony. Dick.
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
Yes I do ride two abreast except on a narrow road a bend, and busy roads I quote rule 215 to any motorist who said this and tell them to go read the highway code. If he is passing a horse with the correct 2 meters apart from you he would pass you on the opposite side of the road, so makes no difference if you are double or single.
Rule 53
Before riding off or turning, look behind you to make sure it is safe, then give a clear arm signal.
When riding on the road you should
- keep to the left
- keep both hands on the reins unless you are signalling
- keep both feet in the stirrups
- not carry another person
- not carry anything which might affect your balance or get tangled up with the reins
- keep a horse you are leading to your left
- move in the direction of the traffic flow in a one-way street
- never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends.
Rule 215. Horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles. Be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles especially when overtaking. ... Horse riders are often children, so take extra care and remember riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider.
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
Not always the case, my mare is major spooky though better on calmer, she spooks at sudden things and makes no difference her getting older or seeing those poxy pigeons fly out at the last minute., She won't grow out of this as I had one in the past who never got less spooky. Though did see these on facebook and not sure if they work,https://www.facebook.com/search/str/horse+beads+for+spooky+horses/keywords_search?epa=SEARCH_BOX
Last edited:
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
Far better they are late than not getting there at all. !!!! or done for death or injury by causing an accident.
No more annoying than getting stuck behind kids on bikes, disable car, road sweeper, dustcart ,bus, old people driving it is mostly down to impatient drivers who don't give a rats about horses, just getting to their destination as quick as they can, which will fail if they cause death or injury, then where was the issue waiting those precious moments for all to be safe.
I have a head cam every ride
Last edited:
Suechoccy
Well-Known Member
well done u for reporting it.
Bernster
Well-Known Member
How sad. Just got annoyed at some people’s crappy attitudes from reading comments on notts tv Facebook reporting on their police going on mounted patrols to catch bad drivers doing this. And heard last night of a friend who had a similar incident - driver going too fast, as he whizzed past, she tapped his car roof with her whip as she was using it to single him to slow down. Got out of his car ranted and raved at her, got back in, turned around just so he could speed past them really close again. On a narrow road with fences both sides so they couldn’t avoid him. Reported to police but his license plate was dodgy ðŸ™
kc921
Well-Known Member
I have ridden two abreast, and when I go out riding with my boyfriend he walks next to me so my horse and I are on the inside.It makes me feel safer and it is legal. I would report it, and 100% get a helmet cam as well. I have had many incidents involving impatient cars and dogs, I report every one of them.
ester
Not slacking multitasking
Yes I really don’t think it’s a good idea doing anything like this as you are in a pretty vulnerable position. I rant on the bike sometimes and usually immediately regret it as realise quite how vulnerable I’d be if someone decided to get heavy.
I reckon about a third of drivers pass me scarily close when cycling and I don’t start my commute until after 9am as a result. Car drivers often rarely appreciate there are likely reasons for you doing what you are, they seem to presume you are acting out of spite 🙄 just to annoy them.
Littlefloof
Well-Known Member
Two abreast is often better for GOOD drivers and safer for riders of horses and bikes - it means that overtaking vehicles are overtaking for a shorter distance than if the horses / bikes are in single file. The driver of the overtaking vehicle has to commit to a proper overtake and not just attempt to squeeze past despite oncoming traffic, which is why inconsiderate drivers don't like it. Stay safe everyone.
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
I have basically given up riding on our lane, we now have cars whizzing round bends in rush hour honking there horn instead of slowing down, it is just to scary if you end up on a bend and hear a car racing along