Soon, I will drag someone off their horse in the road - rant

Munchkin

Munchkin

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 March 2004
Messages
3,692
Location
Yorkshire
www.aloegeneration.co.uk and http
I am absolutely fed up to the back teeth of seeing riders, two abreast with the width of 3 horses between them, zig zagging all over the road, chatting to each other or on the phone, who do not thank drivers when they slow down to pass.

As someone who rides youngsters on the road almost daily, I make a massive effort to thank drivers (or to apologise if said youngster is being awkward!), a smile and a nod is never too much to ask. These drivers are the ones who are likely to slow down for me next time, or for the next horses they see.

I am sick to death of hearing "I couldn't take my hands off the reins" - firstly, it's not necessary, and secondly, it doesn't seem to be a problem when you need to answer your phone or send a text message...

Soon I swear I will stop my car, drag them off their GG and tell them exactly what I think of them, as it puts the rest of us in drivers' bad books too and frankly I don't blame them.

I was googling the horse tax recently and got back a load of hits with links to forums, groups etc where people were discussing the fact they believe "horse riders should pay road tax". This seemed to be fuelled by their hatred of ignorant riders on the road. We often hear riders complain about inconsiderate drivers, but I wonder if these irate drivers are only so because of the last riders they bothered to be courteous to?
 
I bet they drive their cars like twats as well, on the phone texting lighting a fag satnaving putting on makeup,
do I need to say it, it begins with N and finishes with S
 
In one category, yes. But actually, it's often middle-aged women who think they're above everyone. The type who are part time doctor's receptionists and teachers
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*hides* (I'm kidding! ish)
 
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I bet they drive their cars like twats as well, on the phone texting lighting a fag satnaving putting on makeup,


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Ooooh, so you saw me this morning then?!
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Drives me insane when I meet someone on a horse who doesn't thank me, let alone when they are riding down the lane two abreast with a mile between them so I cant even get past!!

I always make an effort to obviously thank people who slow down for me, even if its just a tiny bit and in an ideal world they should have slowed down more.....

If I am honest, of all the times I have met horse riders on the roads whilst I have been driving, I cannot remember the last time someone thanked me.
 
Hm. With you on this one
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I have come very close to yelling at at ignorant riders
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Given that I ride a horse that can be a numpt, I know all about not being able to take hands off reins, but I often end up looking like a nodding dog as I try to say thank you to all those that slow down for us.
 
Also annoying when people go on about wanting the roads to be safer etc and they arent wearing any hi vis.. does my head in when they complain that they got hit by a car and when asked if they wore one the answer is "The drivers should be more aware!"

When they do this also all texting etc etc its even worse!

Even pulled over the car once and gave a group of kids a piece of my mind!
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I'm definitely with you on this. I thank everyone, even those that don't slow down.

I did once get out of my car and had a word with a couple of riders who were being very ignorant - no hats, no hi-viz, smoking and on phone, horses on buckle end of reins, wandering two abreast down the road and not acknowledging any of the drivers who were having to navigate round them. I didn't want to be the next rider that one of the drivers who was getting p****d off would meet when I was out on my horse.
 
i'm with you on this too, i always thank drivers, make a point of getting out of the way asap, etc etc.
but actually i wish that horses were banned from the roads (which, lets face it, are far too dangerous nowadays, waay too many ignorant drivers going far too fast etc etc) but that all arable and grass field margins were opened up for us. if we could ride (carefully!) around the edges of all fields, that would be a perfect solution imho. horses on the roads are an anachronism... sorry, but i really believe this.
don't really think the farmers/landowners would go for it though!
 
Agree with all, but especially well said Donklet! Think it would work with evryone in the world in general, not just riders and drivers lol!!!!

Oh what a wonderful world it would be...

Considering starting the 'what's wrong with the world these days and when did i get so old' clique...
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I did actually pull over infront of a woman who I had seen a few times riding inconsiderately before on a busy road and told her that people like her do not help people like me. Won't go into it but I was so annoyed as the several times she never acknowledged me or the stream of traffic behind her as she ambles along on her well behaved horse.

I am a prolific thanker, if not overly so but as we have to cross a busy road I am always grateful that someone bothers to stop so I can cross.

I hate that people nowadays are just so selfish, on a horse, in a car, where ever. Sad state of affairs isn't it...
 
kerilli, while I see where you're coming from, I don't think that's practical. For example, I live in an area with fabulous off-road hacking, but in order to get to the hacking, most riders in the area need to be on the road for a short period. If riding on the road were illegal, we wouldn't be able to get to the hacking, even though it's only about 200m down the road!
 
I sort of see where you're coming from but to be honest I don't see it necessary to get so wound up about it. Yes there's some idiot horse riders out there and equally ignorant drivers but I generally do not see the need to get angry and rant over and over again. It can't be good for the soul!
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Tolerance is the key. Of course we've all had our run ins with both offenders but I don't think it;s going to change. As for horse tax - i think it's a ridiculous idea and where would it stop -should cyclists then have to pay tax - what about dog walkers, ramblers, joggers on roads with no pavements (just as bad as a horse rider on the phone is a jogger listening to their ipod - oblivious to traffic!). I don't see why horse riders should be targeted more than other users of roads or bridleways.

I think everyone needs to lighten up a bit. oh and for the record yes i wear hi-viz, am very courteous to drivers and I don't let the sh*t ones rile me too much.
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Agree with lot's of comments here. I always thank drivers who show us consideration. If their windows down a bit, i also yell thanks and smile. The silver BMW with the fat driver on his phone who went past at a ridiculous speed, even though we signalled to him to slow down, got a not so nice gesture. I wonder if he would have liked half a ton of horse sitting on his bonnet, that would have slowed him down.
We are considerate to drivers and most are the same towards us.
I think education is a must, i really don't think a lot of people know hte correct and safe way to pass riders.
 
Talking of being tolerant...what about cyclists cycling on pavements? Does that get anyone else's blood up? People have had to pin me down to stop me going for them!
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I have on more than one occasion, pulled up and give riders a piece of my mind. The last time was when I had a friend with me. 2 young women pulled right across a very fast busy road, 2 abreast, on mobiles, 1 of the riders was obviously very novicey,no thankyou no kiss my ar*e! I pulled in front of them, pulled over and gave them a right round of *******! They were really abusive back so I followed them to find out where they stabled and told their YO that they were setting a bad example. YO was mortified (genuinely)
My friend was in agreement that they were a disgrace. Although, she did say that she wouldnt annoy me when I had PMT!
 
since we only have road hacking, afraid I dont agree with you kerilli!
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Those drivers that dont slow down - my police woman friend swears at them and gives them a little universal sign
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Next time they see us they slow down, especially when she wears her police jacket!
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Most people are good round us though, but I always make sure if there is a car coming on a narrow road I stop in gateway or wait and let car pass, I will NOT go onto the grass verge because I cannot see if anything harmful is in it (eg. glass!!)
 
I could'nt believe my eyes the other day when i looked out of my window to see two teenagers riding up the pavement, not to bad i here you say,but this is a narrow pavement on a very busy road with a lot of lorries and tractors and they were riding against the flow of traffic, and would have to negotiate a nasty bend, and then try to get on to the road before the front of a pub, and all this while trying to negotiate people walking down the pavement towards them. Bl**dy dangerouse numpties!!
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I'm definitely with you on this. I thank everyone, even those that don't slow down.

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ditto, i make sure i thank everyone who slows down, even if its just a little. its become so much of a habit that even when drivers dont slow down i still say thanks!!
 
I dont see why we should be stopped from riding on the road just because some arseholes cant drive by the highway code,
what next ban pedestians from crossing the street, ban cyclists in case they get knocked off, what we need is tougher penalties for idiot motorists.
 
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I dont see why we should be stopped from riding on the road just because some arseholes cant drive by the highway code,
what next ban pedestians from crossing the street, ban cyclists in case they get knocked off, what we need is tougher penalties for idiot motorists.

[/ QUOTE ]And penalties for idiot riders too .
 
LadyT, you are so wrong, a good rant helps a great deal
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To all of those saying car drivers are as bad... I'd say 75% of drivers slow down for me and my horses, yet I cannot actually remember the last time I was thanked for slowing down by a rider.

Just because some of you have the attitude "car drivers are idiots" doesn't mean you have to be rude to drivers in general - they're the ones sitting in a steel shell with airbags and seatbelts, not you! Besides, don't most of you drive?
 
I have often read on this forum,people saying they ride two abreast or out in the road in order to slow traffic down!...Hardly an example!
 
I always say thank you as i am normally on a young horse, but after riding out with a few of the girls from the new yard i find they just dont bother and carry on talking.
Did come around a bend today to find 3 riders menandering along abrest in the road and were shocked to see me (it is a public highway for christ sake) and then finally moved over, i was having a mental in the car as it was not far from where i ride my youngsters, but as my mum was driving she would not stop and let me get out and give them a piece of my mind
 
Lol I know we all have things we like to get off our chest!
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Thing is there are soo many posts on here ranting about drivers, cyclists, motorbikes, dog walkers I do sometimes wonder whether everyone's as bad as people make out or are they just having a bad day!

We (me and my sister) had a run in with a 60+ BMW driver a couple of years ago - we were riding single file on a country road, wide enough for two cars. We had just gone round a bend with a blind summit ahead and the car came behind, beeped his horn, had to wait (as not safe to pass) and then, when he decided to pass he told us we shouldn't be on the road if we couldn't control our horses! Not sure what his point was, we were walking! Anyway, he got some verbal back but that's the only time I've lost my rag.

Another time a TT driver coming towards me on a 60mph road but past houses, two farms and junction - I signalled for him toslow down but he continued and drove passed me shaking his head in a "no" retort! So, I give up, it's not worth the anger. I am polite to good drivers, will show disdain at the sh*t ones but if I pass a horse rider and they don't thank me or I don't think they're riding responsibly that's their bad. I know I was driving responsibly.
 
I go out with someone who doesn't say thankyou to passing vehicles when they slow down. She actually looks down her nose to be honest.
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Also I am about the only person in our yard that wears hi-viz and they all look at me as if I am really square! This girl hacks my horse out for me occasionally, she does a great job, but she does not like using a tabbard (I can see from her face when I give it to her). No tabbard/hi-viz = No riding my horse out I am afraid. Period.
If I was driving past horses politely and the rider (s) didn't say thank you I would actually wind the wondow down and say how I thought they were aiding poor driving around horses.
It's just so ignorant and we all have the potential to suffer because of it.
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