Out for my government sanction exercise today, a run along some country lanes and paths/bridle ways, I encountered a number of horses being ridden.
So a couple of questions:
1. Is riding a horse “essential exercise”? Partially as you’ll have has to drive there.
2. Irrelevant of whether the legalities, it is really sensible taking said horse on single track paths when we’re meant to be social distancing? The paths in question are such that 2 walkers could get past still at 2m, no chance of that with a horse.
3. Is it really sensible to ride an animal down a road when said animal weighs 500kh, is scared of crisp packets, let alone cars and runners?
It just seemed a little irresponsible to me, maybe I’m missing something?
A horse needs exercising more than you do. Yes you're being unreasonable
As above, it's for the animal
In Belgland they want you to walk them where possible and try to allow for walkers
It's also 2m for 10mins as I understand it so just get by at a decent pace and you are ok
I have more of a problem with joggers than horse riders.
Horses need to be exercised and looked after so will likely need someone to drive to their stables to do so.
Joggers round here are totally oblivious to social distancing running closely past people.
I love the "I can go out but others can't attitude", how much wider is a horse compared to a decent sized human? (Shoulder to shoulder), If you have measured the trails to assume you have 2 metres between you & the person coming the other way then they must be some pretty tight margins if a horse can't.
🙂 Cheers.
Consider the problem in pythagorean terms. The rider's gob is at least an extra metre up vertically, so can safely be at 1.5m rather than 2m horizontal separation. 🙂
We'll have to resort to the physics of droplet dispersal to calculate whether a higher mouth constitutes a larger risk. What direction and strength was the wind?
I was thinking this and posted on another thread about it, I reckon they probably think going out cycling is reckless too! Live and let live.
Yes, you are being unreasonable.
Joggers round here are totally oblivious to social distancing running closely past people.
This seems to be true on the paths round me as well when I am out early in the morning, on a 2 m wide path often running down the middle. Not everyone, many are sensible and move over as far as I always do and say thanks, but a significant proportion don’t seem to want to deviate from their own intended route even if it means running past me less at than a metre even when I have moved over. Having said that, I had a close pass from a guy on a bike a couple of weeks ago on a wide section of the ridge.
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Kuco
SubscriberYes, you are being unreasonable.
It get's worse if you compare the width of a horse to modern 780/800mm bars (not that the OP was riding.)
Complaining about horses on bridle ways.
Only on STW. 😲
Ok, fair points all.
Genuine question, why do they need exercising? If they live in a field will they not run around themselves?
Live and let live.
Agree. As said above, horses need exercise too. Plus, almost every interaction I’ve had with horse riders has been positive (much more so than other trail users), and often the interests of horse riders and cyclists are aligned (e.g. access rights).
a significant proportion don’t seem to want to deviate from their own intended route even if it means running past me less at than a metre
probably going for a Strava PB on the Barkley 5k challenge...
I see quite a few. They are riding their horse, I’m riding my bike. We all seem to get along just fine, give one another space and even manage to be pleasant to one another. Weird
Why do you need to exercise when you can walk around your house? I'm no horse lover but this is really a selfish attitude.
Is riding a horse “essential exercise”? Partially as you’ll have has to drive there.
How do know they drove there? Did you perhaps make a massive assumption, then have a pop at the result?
Similar to why you need to go jogging even though you have a room at home to do push ups in? I guess they need their legs stretched and heart going or something.
I find horse riders to be the most pleasant people to share the countryside with on balance. Sadly old people ramblers and some bike rides are the biggest ****ers I’ve encountered over the years. As per the other answers the horses need exercise too.
I’ve not actually seen any around by me lately which is pretty unusual.
So, OP, on a scale of one to massive flaming wreck, how would you say this is going?
Of course, if they fell off the horse and needed an ambulance that would also be reasonable...
The country is full of fields for horses to run around on. Using the exercise reason to ride a horse on the road or bridleway is b***sh**.
I cycled past two horse riders on a byway last week. Gave plenty of space, slowed right down. It didn't stop one of the horses from nearly throwing one of the ladies off.
I put them in the same category as the dad watching his sub 10 year old lad on a two stroke doing some ropey jumps the other day. An accident in either activity is likely to result in a trip to ae.
I regularly see horses and their riders when I'm out walking the dogs. No issues with social distancing in the woods. I pull the dogs off the trail.
The horses need excercise and I don't see any difference between that or seeing folk on the same trail riding bikes.
zip
Member
Of course, if they fell off the horse and needed an ambulance that would also be reasonable…
Same argument if you came off your bike.
Zip. Did you make any normal human noise like a cheery hello, is it safe to pass? Before going past those horse riders?
Yes they are flight animals, but generally most horse riders have a decent amount of control as long as people aren't dicks.
horse riders do more for our access rights in the countryside than we do.
They are mostly not toffs and are human beings who love the countryside, love their animals and would happily get along with you.
Be nice, say hi, don't be a dick.
Of course, if they fell off the horse and needed an ambulance that would also be reasonable…
The country is full of fields for horses to run around on. Using the exercise reason to ride a horse on the road or bridleway is b***sh**.
Riding a bike and requiring an ambulance would fall under the same reasonable category I take it?
Everyone has their hobbies, some of us are lucky enough that we still get to do them. Horse riding definitely on the list. And thirded, despite my class warrior tendencies, IME the most pleasant group of countryside users.
Ladies in jodphurs.
I don't think I need say anymore.
I’ve not actually seen any around by me lately which is pretty unusual.
Perhaps because the general advice from a number of equine organisations such as the British Horse society suggests thinking very carefully about riding horses out at present
https://www.bhs.org.uk/advice-and-information/coronavirus-covid-19
There are no specific government guidelines for the question around whether we should still be out riding at present. Our strong advice is that it is not appropriate to put unnecessary pressure on the emergency services now or for the foreseeable future. It is incumbent on all of us to make an individual decision as to whether riding is necessary at all, at this time. Decisions can only be taken based on individual circumstances but our choices should always be mindful of the potential impact for ourselves and others.
And from the British Equine Foundation
“There is currently no government guidance that we are aware of in relation to riding, so it is down to you to decide whether this is necessary,”
“Given that health services are currently stretched to capacity, it’s sensible to avoid any activities that carry an increased risk of injury, such as jumping, fast work and riding a young, fresh or spooky horse.
“If you must hack out, be mindful of other people walking, cycling and running, and keep the 2m distance. Lungeing, in-hand work and turn-out are good alternatives to ridden exercise.
Ladies in jodphurs.
I don’t think I need say anymore.
I bet their arses are wider than the horses 😉
Replace the word riding for cycling and what is the difference?
That could explain it thanks.
The local canal towpaths on the other hand are mental. I honestly thought that The Walking Dead was having some scenes shot for it earlier this week. I was walking on a bridge that passed over it and shambling oldies as far as the eye can see. Not giving two shits about any form of distancing 😃
There is a riding school at the bottom of my local woods, so a fair few horses around. In contrast to the increased numbers of walkers and cyclists, I'd say there were fewer horsists around. Which, entirely related to the jodphurs content, makes me sad ;(
Under normal circumstances I relish the thought of encountering horse riders during my rides.
However, I don't think during this period it is appropriate to straddle a large, unpredictable beast of burden in public. Its a long way to fall, compared to a bike for example. And they have a powerful kick.
Of course I could fall off my bike, but will likely only get bruised and scuffed due to the flat trails I'm currently riding. Or I could trip over walking and sprain my ankle. It's all about risks and consequences. I just don't think horse riding can be justified as necessary exercise during this period of restriction to alleviate our medical services. Its just an opinion.
Replace the word riding for cycling and what is the difference?
Absolutely no difference. It is all about assessment of risk as Zip says. I just thought it might explain why some people said that they have seen fewer riders than normal
Its just an opinion
Opinions are like arseholes, but the horse can't tell you theirs.
As mentioned above it's as much for the horses benefit. Like people they get fat and lazy if left in a small field all day.
Like people they get fat and lazy if left in a small field all day.
Only if you surround them with beer and doughnuts.
The rider’s gob is at least an extra metre up vertically, so can safely be at 1.5m rather than 2m horizontal separation.
But what if they are drooling?
I find horse riders to be the most pleasant people to share the countryside with on balance. Sadly old people ramblers and some bike rides are the biggest **** I’ve encountered over the years.
Agreed - and I'm old. I would add dog owners with extendable leads.
Agreed – and I’m old. I would add dog owners with extendable leads.
As a dog owner, I agree.
@lunge apt name for this thread. Horses need to be checked a couple of times a day to make sure that they've not injured themselves and have enough water and food, it's a legal as well as a moral responsibility. Not every livery yard has the facilities or space for horses to be exercised on site such as a school in which you can lunge, or gallops. Fields are generally for grazing, especially if there's multiple horses at the yard as it can cause accidents and damages an essential food source.
Few horses are ok with being turned out to grass with no exercise for a few days never mind weeks or months, it's like getting on a rogue rocket. There's also a few health implications which can be fatal such as laminitis which is a bit like diabetes, especially at this time of year when the grass is full of sugar. Horses can also suffer from mental health problems due to confinement which can manifest as repetitive behaviours.
With regard to riding on singletrack, should anyone be using it if there's not enough room to pass comfortably? I'd be avoiding it regardless if I was on foot or any saddle if it's that busy
Like people they get fat and lazy if left in a small field all day.
Well keep them in a proper field then. Horse dont need to be ridden to exercise them, I used to regularly visit a large stud farm friends owned, the vast majority of the horses werent saddle broken. The thoroughbred mares at the farm I used to work on hadnt been ridden for years.
We are doing ”Lungeing, in-hand work and turn-out are good alternatives to ridden exercise.”. Basically a lot of high quality in hand work. No hacking and minimal ridden exercising.
Both us and the horses will survive this approach. Neither are getting fat(er) or lazy.
I'd been thinking along the same lines as the OP.
Was riding on the road the other day, couple of horse riders coming in the other direction.
I slowed down, horses seemed skittish, so I came to a complete stop.
Horses were still super skittish, riders couldn't control them at all.
When they'd managed to position them so that the horses rear legs were level with me, I moved off - horses were clearly spooked by my continued presence, I figured the best thing I could do was remove myself. I also didn't really want to risk being kicked by a horse.
I got a mouthful of abuse for my trouble. Apparently it was all my fault, and I should have been more helpful.
Now really doesn't seem like the time to be riding animals you can't control on the road.
Few horses are ok with being turned out to grass with no exercise for a few days never mind weeks or months, it’s like getting on a rogue rocket. There’s also a few health implications which can be fatal such as laminitis which is a bit like diabetes, especially at this time of year when the grass is full of sugar. Horses can also suffer from mental health problems due to confinement which can manifest as repetitive behaviours.
That’s the kind of answer I wanted, thanks faerie.
I wasn’t asking to be a div, I asked questions, it appears my thoughts weren’t reasonable.
Thanks.
We are doing ”Lungeing, in-hand work
Jumble earlier!
Luckily you have some vertical separation between you and the orse rider so you can still keep your 2m 😉
This is a bit of a NIMBY thread. Walkers don't like joggers. Walkers and joggers don't like cyclists. Cyclist don;t like horses.
Lets just chill and let people be yeah? The virus never jumped and got you from some sweaty jogger running past 50cm away for like 1 second anyway, let alone a horse rider. For contact tracing they were looking at people you had spent 15 mins with and risk from a passing person is so minimal.