when out riding and someone else is having problems do you...

[UKa]

do you

a - slow down your horse and make sure that whatever you do doesn't upset the other rider's horse even further

or -

b - carry on with your plans, send your horse for a blast and not give a monkey as to what happens to the other rider?

....had an eventful morning. Went on short hack with friend, my girl slightly excitable, throwing in the odd buck here or there but she can be like that. It's been a windy morning and we haven't been on a hack for a couple of weeks as went competing last weekend and can only hack on the weekend.

Anyway, she kept being a pain and on the turning towards home we then spotted riders, who we recognised as being from our neighbouring stable, thinking, surely they must see that I am struggling here with my horse and would not go up in canter over the field next to us? But no, they did canter - setting my girl off completely and the bucks in the end were so big that I decided to get off to avoid being bucked off, ended up walking home...

Then at approaching the riders - well , the grown-up of the group as she was out with two children - it appeared that she must have been perfectly aware of my dilemma struggling with my horse but went on to canter anyway, stating that " I should take my horse hunting and that would sort her out"...

I am just speechless as to how rude some people can be. ... and the fact that she was like that in front of the children - when in fact a short, "sorry I didn't see you" or something would have at least been polite.

Oh well...

 

[quirky]

I wouldn't intentionally upset other riders but I also think that if somebody is riding a fizzy/naughty horse, they should be capable of riding it and not necessarily expect people to pussy foot round them.

 

[Ranyhyn]

I'd have had to say something actually! Along the lines of maybe a lesson in manners would "sort HER out".

ETA: I have had really good horses in the past, but in no way would I make life difficult for someone who was having issues. How would I feel if I didn't help as much as I could and that person fell off and really hurt themselves? I would hardly be standing there thinking "Tut, you should be able to ride better..."

 

[lara b]

Personally I wouldn't intentionally canter around others riders horses unless they looked very settled or preferably if I can ask them first if it's ok. Just seems commen decency to me. I would also always pull up and walk past them regardless if they didn't mind me cantering.

 

[Tammytoo]

If someone was having problems I certainly wouldn't add to them by charging past! I'd slow down to walk, ask if hey wanted a hand and then walk on. I wouldn't call it pussyfooting, just common courtesy.

I had a friend with a bomb-proof horse, her first horse, who used to be totally inconsiderate towards others out riding. When she got her second horse who was a bit of a handful she suddenly realised how selfish she had been as all the riders who could have helped her out weren't very keen!

 

[Rowreach]

I wouldn't intentionally upset other riders but I also think that if somebody is riding a fizzy/naughty horse, they should be capable of riding it and not necessarily expect people to pussy foot round them.

How considerate

I remember hunting a four year old with a very large buck (part of my job). I was with a sensible friend on a sensible horse, staying out of everyone's way. He stuck one in going across a grass field - fine - but then two hunting ladies burned up behind me going flat out, instead of giving me some space which is all I needed, and as they approached I called out to warn them he might buck (being concerned that he might whop them one, they were that close).

When the field eventually pulled up, these dear ladies said to me, "Oh we saw him put in that massive buck, but we knew it was you and reckoned you would cope with it hawhawhaw" Cheers ladies

I would always be considerate to ANYONE who looked like they were having an issue on ANY horse, in ANY situation

 

[canteron]

I wouldn't intentionally upset other riders but I also think that if somebody is riding a fizzy/naughty horse, they should be capable of riding it and not necessarily expect people to pussy foot round them.

That's a really selfish attitude - shocked! You sound very young (and a little bit spoilt).

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

I'm with you on this one, Rowreach.

 

[stacie21]

i personally always stop and will check the other rider is OK and have in the past walked slightly out my way to make sure they got home safely as my boy is not fussed about passing other horses or leaving them, he is nearly 5 and i'm very lucky. i always like to think if i was having hassle and someone came past i would hope they will be polite and slow down rather than possibly cause a massive accident

 

[JFTDWS]

I wouldn't intentionally upset other riders but I also think that if somebody is riding a fizzy/naughty horse, they should be capable of riding it and not necessarily expect people to pussy foot round them.

This, though if I met someone who was clearly in trouble, I wouldn't go flying past them in the field / on a bridleway.

Personally I wouldn't intentionally canter around others riders horses unless they looked very settled or preferably if I can ask them first if it's ok. Just seems commen decency to me. I would also always pull up and walk past them regardless if they didn't mind me cantering.

It's my understanding of the OP's post that they were not even in the same field as her? I would expect someone out hacking to be able to handle a horse in another field going off for a canter, to be fair - or not to expect other riders to be psychically aware that she can't handle this. How does the OP expect turned out horses in neighbouring fields to behave - or should they not go for a canter either

eta-
Actually I'm not sure what the OP means by "over the field next to us" - if she means in the same field, no that's damnably inconsiderate. If it's in a neighbouring field, I think it's an entirely different matter

 

[UKa]

Personally I wouldn't intentionally canter around others riders horses unless they looked very settled or preferably if I can ask them first if it's ok. Just seems commen decency to me. I would also always pull up and walk past them regardless if they didn't mind me cantering.

that's how I feel...

as to the fizzy horse, that's all fine but fizziness can happen to anyone and "expecting someone to be able to ride them" is a bit of a short sighted view as any horse can have a "bad" moment and it can happen to ANY rider, no matter how good they are - so I would always rather "pussy foot" and not just expect anyone to get on with it.

I have ridden over 30 years now and am pretty firm in the saddle, could have come off easily today according to my friend who saw the height of the bucks... but doesn't mean that there may be situations when a little consideration on part of the other person wouldn't have helped...

 

[UKa]

eta-
Actually I'm not sure what the OP means by "over the field next to us" - if she means in the same field, no that's damnably inconsiderate. If it's in a neighbouring field, I think it's an entirely different matter

Well, we were in the same field sort of. Me and friend were on the track at the side of the field and the riders were cantering over the field - albeit with a distance - I would have not cantered up as they did.

Of course I would not expect horses turned out in a field to be polite and not canter around if they wanted to. I would not be able to control that, perhaps the result would have been the same and I would have dismounted today; but I am speaking of other riders' manners here and when I did speak to the lady she clearly knew that I had been having problems so I still consider her rather rude...

 

[quirky]

That's a really selfish attitude - shocked! You sound very young (and a little bit spoilt).

I'm neither

 

[marmalade76]

I wouldn't intentionally upset other riders but I also think that if somebody is riding a fizzy/naughty horse, they should be capable of riding it and not necessarily expect people to pussy foot round them.

Have to agree, I'm afraid.

Perhaps she didn't want your horse upseting her children's ponies?? You had company, right? So it wasn't as if she left you alone.

 

[maresmaid]

I think we all have a responsibilty to look out for eachother a little bit when we are out riding. Horse riders are vulnerable enough when it comes to inconsiderate drivers, we can at least show some consideration towards each other. There are so many unpredictable reasons why a rider can get into trouble when out riding and so many very good reasons why a rider might be riding a horse out knowing full well there might be some problems. Is it really that difficult to be aware of other people and offer some consideration and support?

 

[Rowreach]

I am speaking of other riders' manners here and when I did speak to the lady she clearly knew that I had been having problems so I still consider her rather rude...

I think you're right. We have a pair round here, known as the "Evil Twins", who regularly gallop everywhere and cause all manner of trouble to local riders. If ever they find themselves in difficultly I doubt they'll get much sympathy

 

[MrVelvet]

Have to agree, I'm afraid.

Perhaps she didn't want your horse upseting her children's ponies?? You had company, right? So it wasn't as if she left you alone.

This is a good point. I am rather hot headed and can sometimes think out of proportion so when something happens out hacking I go over and over it in my head and get crosser and then when i relay what just happened to my OH and he (not horsey) tells me that its really not a big deal I see that I've been a bit quick to shout and get over it. Consider it a lesson

You say you compete? What do you compete doing? Surely there are other horses cantering places you are not when you compete?

Also I have learnt the calmer and more ignorant to things around me I get, the calmer my horse is

 

[Ranyhyn]

I think we all have a responsibilty to look out for eachother a little bit when we are out riding. Horse riders are vulnerable enough when it comes to inconsiderate drivers, we can at least show some consideration towards each other. There are so many unpredictable reasons why a rider can get into trouble when out riding and so many very good reasons why a rider might be riding a horse out knowing full well there might be some problems. Is it really that difficult to be aware of other people and offer some consideration and support?

Agree. I just dont see why it would inconvenience someone so much just to be thoughtful and courteous to another road user.

By some people's measure why should people be considerate to us while driving, after all you should be in control...and why should dog walkers move their dogs aside and stop them barking and chasing we should be in control not to mention cyclists, pram pushers, mothers of marauding kids etc... sadly we are living in a world where no-one really seems to have the time nor inclination to display manners and common decency to other people simply because they believe they shouldnt have to.
Dear dear..

 

[SarahRicoh]

I think the op is right its rude.... I gave a very excitable horse but im.not going to avoid hacking because of that..

Im going with sensible people on sensible horses so im.in control therefore if someone came came cantering past without askibg if it was okay and upset my horse id be annoyed.

I can ride wekl enough thats why i have him but doesnt mean i want him to be wound up by soneone being inconsiderate

 

[SarahRicoh]

Ps. Sorry for my spelling-on phone

 

[Jerroboam]

But we also seem to live in a world where horse riders expect mothers, cyclists, walkers etc expect the world to move out of their way. Personally, I believe some people should be less fraught about such things and maybe school their horses so they are used to coming across 'inconsiderate' people.

That said, we all have to share the countryside that we all so like to hack out in and we should always try and be courteous to others, whether it be a horse, dog walker, whatever.

 

[marmalade76]

But we also seem to live in a world where horse riders expect mothers, cyclists, walkers etc expect the world to move out of their way. Personally, I believe some people should be less fraught about such things and maybe school their horses so they are used to coming across 'inconsiderate' people.

That said, we all have to share the countryside that we all so like to hack out in and we should always try and be courteous to others, whether it be a horse, dog walker, whatever.

Well said!

 

[Kellys Heroes]

I've been out before on my horse and had people trotting or cantering (!) past us even though my mare has been throwing a paddy - she is fine passing other riders unless of course they come past at a speed at which point she wants to go with them! I have in the past asked them to slow down and had the reply "you should be able to ride!"
I think its incredibly rude and if someone is really having a problem I'll slow down or even stop - no point risking their horse going worse or even, my horse starting.
K x

 

[Ranyhyn]

But we also seem to live in a world where horse riders expect mothers, cyclists, walkers etc expect the world to move out of their way.

Do we? I don't think many people thing that..

If there's something wrong with hoping people will be thoughtful towards vulnerable road users then it's news to me.

You can school an animal for whatever you like, but it's different out there in the real world. Sometimes things go tits up - I wouldn't like to be a contributing factor to an accident where someone else got hurt.

But that's just me, I'll carry on asking if someone is ok and waiting til they seem ok and the other school of thought can go careering round with little or no thought for others I know who I'd rather be

 

[Ranyhyn]

I have in the past asked them to slow down and had the reply "you should be able to ride!"

K x

Are you serious?! That makes me so angry! They must be seriously deluded to be so cocky. All horse riders should know we're only one bad fall away from being a bloody vegetable, and that includes the ones who think they can ride so well..

 

[JFTDWS]

In fairness C_C (nice festive new name, btw ) I agree - when I meet people on tracks, bridleways, roads, fields - I would never go hurtling past someone even if they looked in control. But half way accross a field? Depends on the size of the field, but if it's a big open field like round here, I don't see that it's especially inconsiderate, tbf.

 

[Ranyhyn]

It's original isn't it and imaginative

In fairness we don't know where "in the field next to us" really is, but I'm assuming if it was close enough to set the horse off, its close enough to be considerate? I doubt many horses would bother with someone in the distance?

I know if I was hacking along a lane/bridleway and a group of horses went cantering off, even my old happy hackers would have been wanting to get involved!

 

[JFTDWS]

It's original isn't it and imaginative

In fairness we don't know where "in the field next to us" really is, but I'm assuming if it was close enough to set the horse off, its close enough to be considerate? I doubt many horses would bother with someone in the distance?

I know if I was hacking along a lane/bridleway and a group of horses went cantering off, even my old happy hackers would have been wanting to get involved!

Exactly - just can't get a good idea without knowing the area. My hesitation is that I have experienced a lot of local people who freak out at the thought of somebody having a canter out on a hack, even in the distance, and in doing so, set their own horses off. I've been accused of all sorts, out hacking, when I rarely have even been conscious of the presence of another horse / they've been in an other field / another county... So my instinct is to sympathise with the accused party here - but I could be completely misguided... It's just impossible to judge on a forum I guess. But don't despair, I only mean that even of us who aren't condemning this lady aren't necessarily completely bereft of manners (I don't think )

See my 5 y/old is good as gold with people cantering off past him - even on an enclosed bridleway. The most he does is scream I don't quite know why, but I'm not complaining!

 

[Rowreach]

But we also seem to live in a world where horse riders expect mothers, cyclists, walkers etc expect the world to move out of their way.

That said, we all have to share the countryside that we all so like to hack out in and we should always try and be courteous to others, whether it be a horse, dog walker, whatever.

I think you've contradicted yourself there

It might be sensible and courteous for a mother with children or a pushchair to stand aside, for a cyclist or runner to pause or at least not whizz up silently behind a horse, or a dog walker to keep their dog under control

Likewise I'm not going to scatter someone's children in all directions or take up all the path to inconvenience a cyclist, walker or runner, or expect anyone to put their mannerly dog on a lead

Common courtesy all round, yes? So it's disappointing that the attitude of some posters on this thread would be less than courteous

 

[Fellewell]

It's original isn't it and imaginative

In fairness we don't know where "in the field next to us" really is, but I'm assuming if it was close enough to set the horse off, its close enough to be considerate? I doubt many horses would bother with someone in the distance?

I know if I was hacking along a lane/bridleway and a group of horses went cantering off, even my old happy hackers would have been wanting to get involved!

Agree with you CC.
I was hacking out on a pony recovering from annular ligament surgery when we were passed by an OTTB having parted company with rider. I never want to have to try and keep pace with a horse of that calibre again. I couldn't stop mine for at least half a mile where I knew there was somewhere I could make a wide sweep! I believe you should do all in your power to avoid setting off a horse which may unseat its rider.
Yesterday I almost ended up with a WB on the bonnet of my car. I stopped and waited for the young woman on board to regain control, which she did. I didn't wind down the window and shout at her to get lessons because I pass her almost everyday and they are usually happy and relaxed. These things happen. We are horse owners and we should understand IMO.