Selfish Motorists who DO NOT slow down

Agree that riders need to take more responisbility and also that drivers i think a lot of the time don't realise what horses are capable of.
Few weeks ago I was riding Arrow, unpredictable arab, and we approached a scary horse eating bright red road sign (it eats you dont you know!). Anyway, a car came up behind quite fast so person on the ground with me signalled for it to slow down, it didnt and revved behind Arrow who promptly backed up and sat on car bonnet.
That driver won't be doing that again I hope. Luckily no damage was done to horse or car but it could have been worse.
 
If I could add to this debate.

There are some common sense things that riders can do to avoid having an accident on the roads.

Avoid riding on the roads when the sunshine is low and bright as drivers are easily blinded. Also avoid riding out on wet and icy roads so as to avoid a suddenly braking motorist from skiding into your horse.

Always wear Hi-Viz on both horse and yourself including a high viz helmet band so that motorists can spot you over high hedges.

People should buy a horse that is suitble for the environment they intend keeping it in. If it is a yard with no direct access to bridleways then before buying the horse it should be checked for being traffic proof/spook proof.

Riders should take the BHS road safety course and exam as this provides them with training on how to ride on the roads and deal with a number of different situations.

If you have a horse that is historically not traffic proof/spook proof then simply don't ride it on the roads.

When training young horses on the roads take them out first thing in the early hours of the Summer mornings when there will be little traffic about.

If you intend riding on the roads then do so regularly so that your horse remains used to it and any changes in road furniture etc.

If a car driver behaves inconsiderately or dangerously then get their registraton number and report it to the police asking for an incident number.
 
From a drivers' point of view

Riders definitely need to make sure they are wearing hi-viz, and should ideally avoid any dangerous stretches of road if at all possible.

I also agree that it makes sense for a horse and rider to be in the middle of their lane when it is NOT safe for a car to overtake them, and then possibly consider pulling in and motioning the driver past when it is - i.e. if the road is not wide enough for the car to pass at least a car width past (or approaching the brow of a hill/blind bend) - as per highway code for bicycles, which are less unpredictable than horses - middle of the road - wider stretch with good visibility - pull in as far as is sensible (avoiding scary drainhole covers etc)

When I pass, I always pass slowly and carefully, making sure I won't have to dive back in - another thing my OH pointed out to me (not being mechanically minded to work it out...) is to pass in second as most cars can start in 2nd and there is much less engine noise and fewer revs, particularly in noisier diesels/silly sports cars. Obviously not a good idea if going up a steep hill - car labouring makes more noise and is less predictable...
 
I hate riding on the lanes near my yard, they are very narrow and twisty and have high hedges either side. We used to ride 2 abreast as that at least made people slow down, as well as being able to see you sooner. But now some people don't even slow down when there's only an inch of room to get through. So we stick to single file, or don't go on the road at all.
We always say thank you to everyone that slows down and yell at the one's that don't!

I am moving to a new yard which leads straight on to the south downs, and I can't wait tbh. NO ROADS YAY!!!
 
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