What pace to pass other horses?

Walk and from either direction.
If I catch up with anyone I will always call out as I approach from behind and ask if I can pass.

I will always walk past other horses unless it is people I know exercising on hunters (we all know each other) and we will trot past knowing we are all OK.
 
I've read this thread with interest!

I have been on pleasure rides for 4 years. I have always approached the horse ahead in trot, slowed to walk before reaching the horse ahead and then asked for permission to pass. If they pull to the side, I pass in walk, if they don't then I would pass in a steady trot, checking as I pass that their horse is ok and not reacting to me passing, if they are, then I would slow to walk.

I went to my first pleasure ride with my new horse last weekend. With my previous horse i was quite relaxed about people passing me as I knew he would behave, have been on the Newmarket ride and had people galloping past me whilst I was in a relaxed walk. This ride however, I was not relaxed, wasn't sure what to expect from my new horse who is not as relaxed, had never been on a pleasure ride before and is generally quite lively! He had a green ribbon in his tail and everyone who approached us asked for permission to pass, I pulled over and they generally passed in walk. No issues. I would however, I am sure, have had issues if they had just blindly trotted past without warning.

Common curteousy is all that is required from both riders, the one wanting to pass being patient and the one being passed making it easy as possible for the person wishing to pass, i.e. pulling over. Sadly, you always meet the odd person with no manners, but that happens in all walks of life, not just on horseback!
 
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