Always slow down when approaching a horse from behind
After all,
crikey
MemberLadies in jodphurs.
I don’t think I need say anymore
In general horsey types are the nicest people I meet whilst out on my bike. I generally get their attention by saying hello whilst still a reasonable distance back and then ask them where they would like me to pass. As with most groups it is the ones who are themselves not confident who get arsey for no reason. If they are either inexperienced or have a skittish horse then these are the ones who get a bit hot under the collar. In my opinion if you can’t control a ****ing massive and potentially dangerous animal then you shouldn’t be out riding it in public spaces.
Dog owners are similar for the most part. If they have a well trained dog or have it on a lead then they also tend to be the chilled out reasonable ones. The ones who let their untrained dogs off the lead so that they can run off out of sight for their shit so the owner doesn’t have to pick it up are the menace. Them and the ridiculous 20m lead crew.
As has been said already - any horses being hacked out will most likely be doing so because the yard they are on doesn't have the facilities for in-hand or ridden work. That, and because it's as good for a horse's mental health as it is for ours not to be stuck in the same place the whole time. You can explain to a person why they have to limit trips out; you can't do that with animals.
Our yard is just three (pairs) of us, so we're scheduling it so we're not all up at the same time, have increased the percentage of in-hand work vs. ridden work, and no jumping. Thankfully we have only six horses on seven acres and they're all in one herd/field at the same time, which leaves the other fields to ride around if we need to let them stretch their legs. Not everyone is as fortunate as us however.
Unless you ride yourself, what looks to you like an uncontrollable wild horse isn't always necessarily the case. Ours are all ex-racers, and can get a little lively when out as they've been trained that way. To the untrained eye it would definitely look dangerous when they're jogging on the spot and bouncing up and down, but I can guarantee you that (certainly in our case) the rider isn't about to get thrown off!
If you see horse riders out, as has been said, don't be a dick. Slow down, give a shout before you get to them, and ask how best to come past. Keep talking so the horse recognises you as a person on a bike, not some weird brightly-coloured thing, and wish the rider a nice ride. Things are so much better when we all try to get along, especially at the moment.
One of ours has been turned away and is mooching about in a field. The other is just being ridden in circles around a field a couple of times a week, he does really need to be exercised as he would normally be galloping around in competitions every other weekend and being ridden 6 days a week, you can't just flip a switch and expect them to go from intensive work to nothing. Turned out in a field they will not 'exercise themselves' if they are used to working, it's bit like putting you in a small garden with your bike and calling it exercise as you walk it around.
But my wife would rather not take the risk due to huge numbers of extra people on the trails, who are not used to controlling their dogs, also you would normally ride with a friend for safety and of course, you shouldn't be meeting people out.
And like a couple of others have said, if you say hello in good time and ask if it's ok to pass, there are very few riders, however nervous, that would give you any hassle when you've given them a bit of control over your actions.
Where I live it is extremely horsey on the bridleways and back roads. I also find slowing right down and make verbal contact and moving over to the edge of the trail or road helps, same as approaching from the rear I slow right down inform the rider a cyclist/runner is behind, and ask if it's okay to pass. Personally find 99% of riders are fine and majority grateful for being courteous.
What's wrong with extendible dog leads? I've started to use mine recently due to covid19 situation.
BITD, keen gardeners would be out with bucket and shovel at the first sound of a horse clopping past - high quality, fresh manure perfect for the compost heap; turn it, let it rot down and then dig into flower beds, veg gardens.
Now, horse shit is just driven over; don't people know it's a great natural resource?
If you retract your extendable lead when near others I don't think anyone would have a problem
What’s wrong with extendible dog leads?
If people cant control their dogs having it on an extendable lead is not helpful
Horsists, help please!
If you catch a (ridden) horse up on a trail i.e. you are behind it and going faster, whats the best protocol? What should and shouldn’t you do?
- When to make yourself known?
- How to get the message that you are there?
- Can the horse see you?
- When can it hear you?
- How far should you stay back?
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?
You have a point. I've never been happy that they are allowed to use the roads. The riders are really not in control of the animal. If a half tonne horse gets spooked and wants to career off in a random direction into other road users there is not a damn thing the rider can do no matter how much ironmongery they have stuffed into the animal's mouth.
spooky_b329, yep I do. 🙂
IME/O
– When to make yourself known? Early
– How to get the message that you are there? Verbally - that tells the horse you're a person
– Can the horse see you? Not when you're dead behind but they have pretty wide field (long as the rider's legs aren't in the way)
– When can it hear you? They have pretty good hearing
– How far should you stay back? It's the speed of approach (or the silence and sudden appearance) that's a problem. Chat to the rider - they'll know you're really talking to the horse
FFS - why is it the OPs issue?
The only issues I have encountered is people unde 30 who feel the rules don’t apply. And people on mountain bikes ....
When I approach horses I speak up early and keep talking, often the horses hear you first, keep talking and pass quickly when told its ok.
If you are coming up behind some lady horse riders, just call out the three magic words.
Air
Hair
Lair
@lunge it sounds like you're a bit anxious and are trying to do your best to keep a physical distance. I understand your frustration and it's good to voice your concerns and ask questions, I'm glad you did rather than thinking that all riders are twits; it's only me 😂
IME/O– When to make yourself known? Early
– How to get the message that you are there? Verbally – that tells the horse you’re a person
– Can the horse see you? Not when you’re dead behind but they have pretty wide field (long as the rider’s legs aren’t in the way)
– When can it hear you? They have pretty good hearing
– How far should you stay back? It’s the speed of approach (or the silence and sudden appearance) that’s a problem. Chat to the rider – they’ll know you’re really talking to the horse
Good advice
Did we not have an identical thread earlier in lockdown?
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?
1 and 2 have been covered, 3, well yes, more often than not, and more to the point, horses were using roads and bridleways, (there’s a clue in that name, you know), long before there were cycles, and even more recently, cars.
You have a point. I’ve never been happy that they are allowed to use the roads. The riders are really not in control of the animal. If a half tonne horse gets spooked and wants to career off in a random direction into other road users there is not a damn thing the rider can do no matter how much ironmongery they have stuffed into the animal’s mouth.
Your opinion doesn’t matter worth a damn. Horses were using roads long before there were any motor vehicles of any sort, they have long standing rights of access, no matter what you think. Same goes for bikes - what’s your response when some jackass in a car tells you to get off the road because you don’t pay road tax? (Yes, I know road taxes were abolished in 1932).
It’s up to other traffic to accommodate horse riders.
I actually made a horse shy once when coming up behind it and it’s rider, when I called out to ask if it was ok to ride past. The horse was fine, the rider was miles away, and I made her jump, and she jerked the reigns! She was most apologetic!
IME/O
– When to make yourself known? Early
– How to get the message that you are there? Verbally – that tells the horse you’re a person
– Can the horse see you? Not when you’re dead behind but they have pretty wide field (long as the rider’s legs aren’t in the way)
– When can it hear you? They have pretty good hearing
– How far should you stay back? It’s the speed of approach (or the silence and sudden appearance) that’s a problem. Chat to the rider – they’ll know you’re really talking to the horse
Tidy! Thank you.
In my experience it's all about the body language of animals. They will pick up if you're nervous or apprehensive and that unsettles them. If they've seen you when you're moving towards them then stay where you are and don't hide behind a shrub or tree, that'll unnerve them. Talk to them in a soothing manner so they'll realise they don't need to be afraid.
This applies to dogs, horses, cattle and pigs. Probably others too but these are the ones I've encountered and lived to tell the tale.
So, OP, on a scale of one to massive flaming wreck, how would you say this is going?
Crashed and burned?
As above, keep talking so the horse can figure out what and where you are.
Its often said animals are more scared of people than we are of them. In horses cases they go one step further. They dont give two hoots about you and just want your treats whilst being scared of the plastic bag in the hedge behind you.
Horses (and many animals) are quite individual. A friend has a couple of horses, one is afraid of Aubretria - go and look it up.
As others have said, slow down around them, talk so the horse knows you are a human, ask the rider if the horse is fine with bikes.
How about horsists building jumps on bridleways ?
I spent a lovely few hours mooching on new tracks on sunday and 1 BW was unrideable as the horse fraternity had clearly been sessioning their handywork.
Maybe 6 or 7 log jumps up to 60cm high , some in the classic 3 log triangle like on a 3 day eventing course .
SOme level of groundwork involved too with posts . I was most perturberd at having to dismount my bicycle to navigate the divots. Then I had the rage when I spoted the lovely singletrack path that was clearly there to avoid the ploughing competition , and the buggrs had built mini jumps on top of that as well . But those logs were smaller and I was able to release my inner angst by launching those a huge 6 meters off into the woods
I saw a first today, two horses being galloped over the three fields in stourbridge.
Usually they are just walking with a rider on top.
one is afraid of Aubretria – go and look it up
Don't - it doesn't exist 😉
Replace the word riding for cycling and what is the difference?
A horse would have to ride a tandem
There’s a simple answer to any question on here that starts with ‘Am I being unreasonable’ - it’s invariably ‘yes you are’ with an added dose of self righteousness.
JP
Another point - do not ring your bell at horses - it spooks them
However it really does annoy me that horses in the UK spook at bikes. In the Netherlands they do not. Its a failure of training of the horses.
I do pass horses using the advice above - but IMO if they spook at things they should not be on public land or roads. Far too dangerous to others. I have had a horse spook and almost throw its rider infront of me despite doing as the good advice above states
Air
Hair
Lair
We are all lucky enough to be able to continue doing what we've always done. Lots of cyclists also taking huge liberties at the moment, going way beyond what might be considered essential daily exercise, pootling about all day in the sun.
The least we can do is be tolerant of others doing virtually the same thing, getting some gentle exercise and fresh air.
And if there is a reasonable alternative, shared paths are probably best to be avoided.
one is afraid of Aubretia
Well don't let Aubretia ride that horse then.
Penelope can have that one, Cressida can have the grey, and Aubretia can ride 'Starlight' the chestnut one.
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.
+1
but IMO if they spook at things they should not be on public land or roads.
I used to be an equine ambulance driver for HAPPA and I was tasked to collect an ex police horse who had had 10yrs in the service and had policed large football matches and riots. You could have a brass band playing next to him or set fireworks off and he would not flinch.
One day out on patrol a crisp packet blew between his legs and he spooked, landing on a taxi. My point is that you can desensitise horses as much as you can but they are living beings with their own will and their own interpretation of a situation, you can never make any living being completely bomb proof.
There will also be quite a large proportion of horses beginning their education on the roads at the moment as they are brought into work for the summer, most people ride out in pairs with the inexperienced horse on the inside. However this may not be possible at the moment and some riders may think that the quieter roads might pose an opportunity to take the risk.
A lot of riders don't ride out because of the risk anyway and don't bother with desensitising education.
Ok, fair points all.
Genuine question, why do they need exercising? If they live in a field will they not run around themselves?
Can you not run around your house?
Your opinion doesn’t matter worth a damn. Horses were using roads long before there were any motor vehicles of any sort,
Yeah back when, dog fighting, bear baiting, cock fighting and slavery were all allowed, or the good old days as I like to call them!! Not sure this is a valid argument for anything.
However it really does annoy me that horses in the UK spook at bikes. In the Netherlands they do not. Its a failure of training of the horses.
Comedy gold, got to love TJ's attitude to animals!!
Maybe it is because Dutch horses are more liberal?
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?
...and I know a lot of bike riders who have trouble staying upright on a canal towpath and have a loyalty card with their local A&E!! 🙂
I used to be an equine ambulance driver for HAPPA and I was tasked to collect an ex police horse who had had 10yrs in the service and had policed large football matches and riots. You could have a brass band playing next to him or set fireworks off and he would not flinch.
One day out on patrol a crisp packet blew between his legs and he spooked, landing on a taxi. My point is that you can desensitise horses as much as you can but they are living beings with their own will and their own interpretation of a situation, you can never make any living being completely bomb proof.
I'm sorry, but that's clearly a failure of training of the horse.
I’m sorry, but that’s clearly a failure of training of the horse.
Have you seen the average humans reaction when a spider or mouse get's within a few ft?
That’s clearly a failure of training of the human. Dutch humans don't.
I think the thing that gets me is that, as evidenced in this thread, horse riders expect people to know how to behave around horses.
I don't think that's entirely reasonable - if you're out on it, you should be in control of it. I mean, that's not excusing blatant obnoxiousness, I expect people to be considerate, but it's not fair to expect the entire population to be experts in how to approach horses.
Noone expects to take dogs or children out on the public highway without a firm leash. Why do horses get a pass?