jinglejoys
Well-Known Member
Anyone listening to You and yours on radio 4 about cyclists...not one mention about their behavior round equines yet
You and yours...cyclists
- Thread starter jinglejoys
- Start date
ladyt25
Well-Known Member
Nope, but I have never had an issue with cyclists when on my horse.
Trinity Fox
Well-Known Member
We are on a cycle route where we ride they dont seem to have bells on bikes now to let you know they are coming and they dont shout out most of ours are good with bikes.
However they come behind us and past at great speed i am surprised one of my dads pointers has never kicked or spooked on to one as they have taken me by surprise never mind the horse, if they would just let it be known they were there i would say it is only a matter of time they come across a nervous horse and cause an accident where we are.
I dont think most of them must realise the dangers as they come down the hill behind us at full belt often on bends, thinking about it its a wonder ones never been squished by a car or tractor as they come round the bends at wharp speed too.
At the moment our hacks consist of tactors trailers bikes and quads collies chasing you and lambs that have esacped from their fields and we are in the flight path for the raf and they low fly the jets here that makes you shudder, you need nerves of steel
Its funny when exposed to this alot the horses even if not perfect just have to get used to it.
However they come behind us and past at great speed i am surprised one of my dads pointers has never kicked or spooked on to one as they have taken me by surprise never mind the horse, if they would just let it be known they were there i would say it is only a matter of time they come across a nervous horse and cause an accident where we are.
I dont think most of them must realise the dangers as they come down the hill behind us at full belt often on bends, thinking about it its a wonder ones never been squished by a car or tractor as they come round the bends at wharp speed too.
At the moment our hacks consist of tactors trailers bikes and quads collies chasing you and lambs that have esacped from their fields and we are in the flight path for the raf and they low fly the jets here that makes you shudder, you need nerves of steel
Its funny when exposed to this alot the horses even if not perfect just have to get used to it.
jinglejoys
Well-Known Member
Malaga's pretty good with silent cheetahs now,its me that jumps!
I just get p***** off that I'M supposed to nod and wave like a lunatic and they don't even have the manners to wave or say hello even when you ask.
I just get p***** off that I'M supposed to nod and wave like a lunatic and they don't even have the manners to wave or say hello even when you ask.
Mithras
Well-Known Member
I'm not listening to the programme, but can imagine the kind of thing. I wonder why they don't have similar programmes about burglars, or career criminals, or vandals? No, just cyclists.
I often cycle up to the yard.
I often cycle up to the yard.
Dizzydancer
Well-Known Member
well i am now engaged to a cyclist, his entire family is cycle mad, and own there own cycle shop.
My horse is always been good with bikes, but I have kindly pointed out to them the importance of giving horses a wide berth etc, bikes dont have bells but i have made sure they tell horse riders they are coming. Around me cyclists tend to be pretty good with horses, maybe it where i ride tho being quite horsey!!
I do tend to say something politely if one comes behind and doesnt speak, even if i am out walking the dog (a cyclist nearly ran over my newfoundland couple of months ago as he came past so fast she span round) I found that to be my worst experience needless to say OH actually knew the bloke and when we caught up with him at a cafe he had a good 'chat'! and informed him of the cost to operate on a dog or a horse!!
My horse is always been good with bikes, but I have kindly pointed out to them the importance of giving horses a wide berth etc, bikes dont have bells but i have made sure they tell horse riders they are coming. Around me cyclists tend to be pretty good with horses, maybe it where i ride tho being quite horsey!!
I do tend to say something politely if one comes behind and doesnt speak, even if i am out walking the dog (a cyclist nearly ran over my newfoundland couple of months ago as he came past so fast she span round) I found that to be my worst experience needless to say OH actually knew the bloke and when we caught up with him at a cafe he had a good 'chat'! and informed him of the cost to operate on a dog or a horse!!
MissMincePie&Brandy
Well-Known Member
My horses have always been pretty good with cyclists, they might jump when a silent one suddenly comes up from behind us, but they're never too bad. We get quite a lot of club riders out a weekends, and my horses are generally fine, even with the large groups.
HOWEVER!! The only major problem I've ever had, was once when I was riding uphill, along a bridlepath, with a hedge on one side and a wire fence and woods on the other. The track is quite narrow, and a bit twisty, so you can't see far ahead in places. I was walking up the hill, and all of a sudden a large group of cyclists came hurtling round the corner, downhill, at speed and straight at me - the following seconds involved lots of shouting and breaks being slammed on...... My horse just span round and shot off in the direction we'd just come from, but we were OK. I was so angry, and had very strong words with them, and threatened to make an official complaint involving the police and their club, as their behaviour and speed down that particular stretch of bridlepath could have cause very serious injuries.
Even several years after that incident, I still get tense along that stretch!
HOWEVER!! The only major problem I've ever had, was once when I was riding uphill, along a bridlepath, with a hedge on one side and a wire fence and woods on the other. The track is quite narrow, and a bit twisty, so you can't see far ahead in places. I was walking up the hill, and all of a sudden a large group of cyclists came hurtling round the corner, downhill, at speed and straight at me - the following seconds involved lots of shouting and breaks being slammed on...... My horse just span round and shot off in the direction we'd just come from, but we were OK. I was so angry, and had very strong words with them, and threatened to make an official complaint involving the police and their club, as their behaviour and speed down that particular stretch of bridlepath could have cause very serious injuries.
Even several years after that incident, I still get tense along that stretch!
CanadianGirl
Well-Known Member
Cyclists where I am are mostly pretty good. There is the odd one that zooms by silently, but mostly they call out.
We were out riding a couple of weeks ago and a small group of cyclists was coming towards us. One of the men was on a recumbent bike (the kind where you're kind of lying back and very low to the ground). There were flags on it and it had a crazy looking plastic shell. We were so worried that that horses were going to spook at it we stopped to let them pass. As they rode by the man said, "Hello horses" and the horses didn't bat an eye! I was impressed that the man seemed to recognize that he might spook them and spoke to them so they knew it was just a person.
We were out riding a couple of weeks ago and a small group of cyclists was coming towards us. One of the men was on a recumbent bike (the kind where you're kind of lying back and very low to the ground). There were flags on it and it had a crazy looking plastic shell. We were so worried that that horses were going to spook at it we stopped to let them pass. As they rode by the man said, "Hello horses" and the horses didn't bat an eye! I was impressed that the man seemed to recognize that he might spook them and spoke to them so they knew it was just a person.
Pearlsacarolsinger
Up in the clouds
The cyclists in our area are, in the main, pretty good. We always thank them for giving us a wide berth etc. There are a lot of horses in our village.
However I will never forget the day that we collected the Clydie mare to hack her home, about 20 yrs ago. We were about 10 mins from her old home, there was a rider and a walker and an escort car with her, along a 2-lane A road, going down a quite steep hill. Suddenly about 30 cyclists came up behind her, whooping, hollering and generally making as much noise as possible. I can assure you that the 3 people accompanying the mare were extremely worried.
The horse didn't turn a hair! We knew then that she was definitely going to be able to do the job that we had bought her for; teaching a novice OH and restoring the hacking confidence of an experienced rider.
However I will never forget the day that we collected the Clydie mare to hack her home, about 20 yrs ago. We were about 10 mins from her old home, there was a rider and a walker and an escort car with her, along a 2-lane A road, going down a quite steep hill. Suddenly about 30 cyclists came up behind her, whooping, hollering and generally making as much noise as possible. I can assure you that the 3 people accompanying the mare were extremely worried.
The horse didn't turn a hair! We knew then that she was definitely going to be able to do the job that we had bought her for; teaching a novice OH and restoring the hacking confidence of an experienced rider.
ThePinkPony
Well-Known Member
I dont know about cyclists around horses but jayzus i nearly took out some with my car today.
It must be a club bike day, but none of them seem to have read the highway code.
One pulled out of a junction in front of me (doing 50 in a 60) , cue slamming on brakes and a nice seatbelt graze on my neck. I did scream out of the window as i passed him ''what the **** do you think you are ****ing doing you could have ****ing killed us all you ****ing moron, do you have a ****ing deathwish'' more out of general adrenaline and fear, and the fact that my neck was killing me.
And then one swerving across the road so much it was impossible to overtake. And the three guys riding three abreast around some sharp bends. i was luckily third car back and the beeps and hand gestures they were getting from oncoming traffic were terrible.
It must be a club bike day, but none of them seem to have read the highway code.
One pulled out of a junction in front of me (doing 50 in a 60) , cue slamming on brakes and a nice seatbelt graze on my neck. I did scream out of the window as i passed him ''what the **** do you think you are ****ing doing you could have ****ing killed us all you ****ing moron, do you have a ****ing deathwish'' more out of general adrenaline and fear, and the fact that my neck was killing me.
And then one swerving across the road so much it was impossible to overtake. And the three guys riding three abreast around some sharp bends. i was luckily third car back and the beeps and hand gestures they were getting from oncoming traffic were terrible.
chestnut cob
Well-Known Member
No but I'm a horse rider, cyclist and a car driver so have three perspectives on this...
IMHO and experience, horse riders are by far the worst of all road users. Bar the odd t**t, cars, bikes (push and motor), vans, tractors, lorries all slow right down for horses and acknowledge you.
Horse riders rarely EVER say thank you. Most of those I pass either in the car or on a bike glare at you as though they own the road and you should be glad they bothered to even notice you, never mind consider moving out of the middle of the road. Some horse riders in my area say thank you but more often than not, they ignore you. Oh and for the record, I'm a considerate car driver and bike rider so it isn't me who is the weakest link LOL!
IMHO and experience, horse riders are by far the worst of all road users. Bar the odd t**t, cars, bikes (push and motor), vans, tractors, lorries all slow right down for horses and acknowledge you.
Horse riders rarely EVER say thank you. Most of those I pass either in the car or on a bike glare at you as though they own the road and you should be glad they bothered to even notice you, never mind consider moving out of the middle of the road. Some horse riders in my area say thank you but more often than not, they ignore you. Oh and for the record, I'm a considerate car driver and bike rider so it isn't me who is the weakest link LOL!
Steorra
Well-Known Member
I live in Cambridge; everyone I know cycles, and it's rare to see cyclists behaving badly here. The only time I've had an altercation with anyone was when a car cut me up on a roundabout and sent me flying.
Unfortunately, as with horse-riders, it takes a few individuals or one local club to give everyone a bad name.
I guess I'm lucky that not too many cyclists use the bridle paths around me (likely to damage their beloveds with their nasty ruts!), but I guess all we can do is explain the importance of ringing bells and passing wide and slow. I find that 'please be careful, horses can kick when they're frightened' works well. Like riders cyclists are actually rather vulnerable when out and about.
One last point: I'm often reluctant to ring my bell, because the times I've rung it as a warning (usually to a pedestrian on a cycle path) and received a mouthful of abuse are manifold.
I'm not shouting down anyone's bad experiences, but there are rude cyclists, rude drivers, rude bikers and rude riders too.
Unfortunately, as with horse-riders, it takes a few individuals or one local club to give everyone a bad name.
I guess I'm lucky that not too many cyclists use the bridle paths around me (likely to damage their beloveds with their nasty ruts!), but I guess all we can do is explain the importance of ringing bells and passing wide and slow. I find that 'please be careful, horses can kick when they're frightened' works well. Like riders cyclists are actually rather vulnerable when out and about.
One last point: I'm often reluctant to ring my bell, because the times I've rung it as a warning (usually to a pedestrian on a cycle path) and received a mouthful of abuse are manifold.
I'm not shouting down anyone's bad experiences, but there are rude cyclists, rude drivers, rude bikers and rude riders too.
ladyt25
Well-Known Member
I have to agree with you there - I pass so many riders near me and so many of them don't even acknowledge you have slowed down or given them a wide berth. Makes me angry and that just causes the rest of us riders problems as people will assume we're ALL that rude!
Some amble two abreast on narrow roads and glare at you when you DARE to want to pass them. I am sorry but MOVE OVER!! mE and my sister will ride side by side but, if the road is narrow then we will move to single file to let them pass safely.
I personally think you should be concentrating just as much when you're riding a horse as you do driving. YOU should be aware if there are cyclists coming (ok, yes this is not possible all the time) I will keep check over what is coming behind me and just try and be aware of what's about. Most cyclists our way do shout if they are approaching but I actually don't feel they should have to.
Fern
Active Member
Stood up in my stirrups once to pull my knickers out of a wedgie only to look over my shoulder and see a cyclist gliding silently behind my horse 
.... mortified!
.... mortified!
mandyl
Well-Known Member
im a cyclist and ride a friends pony.
the other day down a back road i saw two riders coming towards me.
looked behind and saw a car coming. there wasnt a great deal of room so i stuck my hand out to ask car to slow down and wait until id passed the horses. he did and so did i. not a single thanks from the two horse riders. i know cyclists can make horses jump and i know all riders arent the same but i seriously dont know why i bothered
the other day down a back road i saw two riders coming towards me.
looked behind and saw a car coming. there wasnt a great deal of room so i stuck my hand out to ask car to slow down and wait until id passed the horses. he did and so did i. not a single thanks from the two horse riders. i know cyclists can make horses jump and i know all riders arent the same but i seriously dont know why i bothered
Trish C
Well-Known Member
Well I'm very careful always to thank considerate motorists/cyclists 
Most of the cyclists around our parts (and there are a lot owing to great hilly tracks) are actually very good with horses - slow down or stop altogether, say hello nice and calmly etc. However, they are complete idiots when it comes to cars... the ones who ride two or three abreast and refuse to drop to single file to be passed are the ones who annoy me the most. If we were riding our horses like that, I'm sure we would be on the back end of a stream of abuse.
A car driver who had to slow down all of 2 mph to pass us from behind on a wide stretch of good, straight road the other day (we were in single file tucked right in to left, he had loads of room to pass and there was nothing coming the other way) hit his horn and shouted abuse at us the other day. Luckily our horses were tired so no more than a little dancing, but if they were more spooky/less wrecked it could've been nasty. We were riding to the absolute letter of the highway code, and he was speeding anyways. So we took down his numberplate and called the gards (police). Happy easter, stain.
Most of the cyclists around our parts (and there are a lot owing to great hilly tracks) are actually very good with horses - slow down or stop altogether, say hello nice and calmly etc. However, they are complete idiots when it comes to cars... the ones who ride two or three abreast and refuse to drop to single file to be passed are the ones who annoy me the most. If we were riding our horses like that, I'm sure we would be on the back end of a stream of abuse.
A car driver who had to slow down all of 2 mph to pass us from behind on a wide stretch of good, straight road the other day (we were in single file tucked right in to left, he had loads of room to pass and there was nothing coming the other way) hit his horn and shouted abuse at us the other day. Luckily our horses were tired so no more than a little dancing, but if they were more spooky/less wrecked it could've been nasty. We were riding to the absolute letter of the highway code, and he was speeding anyways. So we took down his numberplate and called the gards (police). Happy easter, stain.
Sanolly
Well-Known Member
I think it depends where you are. I don't meet many cyclists round here when hacking as I have hacking rights round the farm next door and, being in a very horsey area, drivers round here are fab. On the other hand all the riders round here are very polite.
unicornleather
Well-Known Member
Stood up in my stirrups once to pull my knickers out of a wedgie only to look over my shoulder and see a cyclist gliding silently behind my horse
LOL !!
MADE ME CRY WITH LAUGHTER THAT ONE!
Oz
minkymoo
Well-Known Member
The problem is that cyclists are so quiet! I'd much rather they just gave a cheery hello and there wouldn't be a problem. But most round here glide up behind you like silent horse-killing ninjas and so the end result is a horse that cr@ps himself. Especially if they aren't brave like mine!
mtj
Well-Known Member
I differentiate between recreational cyclists who are invariably courteous, and those race training.
Sadly, the serious club cyclists often come across as pig ignorant. Having seen these guys in action, I do support the proposed legislation to make cyclists more legally culpable for injuries they inflict on others.
Often, off road cyclists are the only people I will see on the local bridleways and there has yet to be a problem.
Sadly, the serious club cyclists often come across as pig ignorant. Having seen these guys in action, I do support the proposed legislation to make cyclists more legally culpable for injuries they inflict on others.
Often, off road cyclists are the only people I will see on the local bridleways and there has yet to be a problem.
Cheese
Well-Known Member
My new boy has scars on his knees from when a cyclist shot past from behind on a very windy day with no warning. He was so startled he fell onto his knees and cut himself. Most of the cyclists shout out to let us know they are there. We live on the Somerset Levels, so there are always LOADS of cyclists around.
MochaDun
Well-Known Member
I'm still attempting to regain my horse's confidence with cyclists after a collision back in Jan when a way too fast novice wobbly cyclist coming towards us without warning overtook her friends who were jogging and cycling also and shot past 3 of us on horseback on a track no more than 5 foot wide...she didn't make it past mine, and was brought to an abrupt halt. First time in 7 years of riding on that track that I've had a major problem with a cyclist, most have always been considerate with speed and/or giving way. He now can't cope with cyclists cycling on the track either coming towards him or from behind so I have to ask them all to stop and get off and walk past or wait. I'm hoping we can sort it so it improves a bit again though I doubt back to how he was before. Funnily enough it's the serious cyclists round our way that know how to pass/approach horses, the more leisure cyclists/family groups don't.
Bedlam
Well-Known Member
I have a huge gripe with cyclists around here. We currently have a 25 minute drive to the yard (not for much longer as we're moving yards) but every single weekend we have to go slowly behind groups of club cyclists along the country lanes that are the quickest route to our yard.
As a motorist I am very considerate to horse riders and I pretty much always get thanks from them. On these country roads almost all riders will trot on to a gateway where they can pull in to let you pass whereupon they will thankyou for your patience.
Cyclists seem to just not give a s**t. They seem to think that they have perfect right to ride along in front of you knowing that you cannot possibly pass them safely, but sometimes just free wheeling and making no effort to go faster or to pull in where possible so you can get past. Horse riders just wouldn't so this (or at least I wouldn't and nor would my daughter or anyone else from our yard).
I am soooo suprised when a cyclist is actually courteous to another road user......
As a motorist I am very considerate to horse riders and I pretty much always get thanks from them. On these country roads almost all riders will trot on to a gateway where they can pull in to let you pass whereupon they will thankyou for your patience.
Cyclists seem to just not give a s**t. They seem to think that they have perfect right to ride along in front of you knowing that you cannot possibly pass them safely, but sometimes just free wheeling and making no effort to go faster or to pull in where possible so you can get past. Horse riders just wouldn't so this (or at least I wouldn't and nor would my daughter or anyone else from our yard).
I am soooo suprised when a cyclist is actually courteous to another road user......
Leaveittothediva
Well-Known Member
Hi, I often go for a cycle with my dog beside me on a quiet country road, and once I happened to come upon a girl riding her horse, the horse got very stressed as we approached so I got off, put my dog on his lead and headed for a nearby open gateway to give her a chance to settle him. My dog was as good as gold. Did she thank me, did she hell, she told me her horse did not like people, bicycles, or dogs. And what was I doing on the road at that time. My reply to her can't be typed, What a strange girl...
KittyJay
Well-Known Member
all these nasty cyclist stories are very much legitimate but i don't think the conclusion of this should be 'bloody cyclists' - you get gooduns and baduns of everything. you really can't justify that kind of generalisation! sometimes cyclists are more understanding than drivers anyway because they know how it feels to be so vulnerable on the road.
please give us cyclists a break
please give us cyclists a break
micramadam
Well-Known Member
Come and live over here, cyclists rule ........nuff said me thinks!!