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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?
To keep it simple - if it's a thoroughbred then you need to have your wits about you.
Awaits inevitable q.
I’m sorry, but that’s clearly a failure of training of the horse.
I used to ride a fair bit back in the day. Yorkshire Moors - the horses wouldn't flinch at low-flying jets but one in particular really hated plastic bags in hedgerows. Could sometimes take a bit of forcing to get it to ride past one.
You get the same with lots of animals, you only need to look at YouTube videos of cats with cucumbers to see how some everyday objects will freak out an animal.
Many people have irrational fears and phobias, is that a failure to train the human race?
To keep it simple – if it’s a thoroughbred then you need to have your wits about you.
Is this still about horses or sexual partners?
Was that the question you were anticipating?
Horses danny obviously and, no, that was not the q I was anticipating.
Next!
Horses danny obviously and, no, that was not the q I was anticipating.
🙂
I can imagine you saying that in a school maam voice.
😉
Nah, estuary English 'ere.
Hook out. Got one!
😎 @ crazy legs!
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.
it’s not fair to expect the entire population to be experts in how to approach horses
Replace horses and horse riders with bikes and cyclists, then read it back.
Replace horses and horse riders with bikes and cyclists, then read it back.
And it makes no sense, I've never been kicked by a bike when someone was trying to change its tyres!!
Replace horses and horse riders with bikes and cyclists, then read it back.
I knew someone would say it, but yeah - I don't get the point that you're trying to make.
I expect cyclists to be in control of their bicycle, yes.
If cyclists were of a particularly nervous disposition, and jumped at random ordinary things, and behaved erratically, I'd suggest that they shouldn't be on the roads, either.
Also, car drivers, motorcyclists, anybody really.
If cyclists were of a particularly nervous disposition, and jumped at random ordinary things, and behaved erratically, I’d suggest that they shouldn’t be on the roads, either.
Well, there's plenty of wobbling new cyclists on the quiet roads currently. Are you going to police them?
Thinking about this over lunch reminded me of the odious rabble that were the local 'unt, though. They'd block off roads with a blatant '**** you' attitude so they could chase a defenceless animal around some blockhead farmer's field.
But even worse than them were the 'hunt followers'. A bunch of forelock tugging pensioners who drove their Austin Princesses out to watch as their 'betters' chased a fox around a muddy field and occasionally said words like 'marvellous' in a put-on accent they never used anywhere else. Hanging around hoping that Lord Digby-Wigby would give them a haughty nod that would signal (to them at least) a kind of acknowledgment.
The same Lord Digby-Wigby who was spending the rest of his time selling off the family silver and renting out a wing of his house for rugby club wedding receptions in a desperate attempt to avoid having to do a day's work.
"And remember, if I catch anyone shagging the chief bridesmaid in the library it is a £500 surcharge....unless I get to have a go too, in which case it's £250".
The Good Old Days eh?
And it makes no sense, I’ve never been kicked by a bike when someone was trying to change its tyres!!
People have been punched and abused by angry cyclists.
Thinking about this over lunch reminded me of the odious rabble that were the local ‘unt, though. They’d block off roads with a blatant ‘**** you’ attitude so they could chase a defenceless animal around some blockhead farmer’s field.
But even worse than them were the ‘hunt followers’. A bunch of forelock tugging pensioners who drove their Austin Princesses out to watch as their ‘betters’ chased a fox around a muddy field and occasionally said words like ‘marvellous’ in a put-on accent they never used anywhere else. Hanging around hoping that Lord Digby-Wigby would give them a haughty nod that would signal (to them at least) a kind of acknowledgment.
The same Lord Digby-Wigby who was spending the rest of his time selling off the family silver and renting out a wing of his house for rugby club wedding receptions in a desperate attempt to avoid having to do a day’s work.
“And remember, if I catch anyone shagging the chief bridesmaid in the library it is a £500 surcharge….unless I get to have a go too, in which case it’s £250”.
The Good Old Days eh?
And no mention of Brexit either.
*shuffles away*
Unreasonable. Most horses are kept in a stable not a paddock.
Not as unreasonable as the STWer who once suggested horses should wear nappies.
Can't think who that was...
People have been punched and abused by angry cyclists.
Cyclists have been punched and abused by angry drivers.
And no mention of Brexit either.
I can do if you want, but I thought we might have put that little 'episode' behind us.
More than willing to pick it up again if you wish.
🇪🇺🇪🇺🇪🇺
No issues with horsey types here. Very few and far between and very friendly and considerate.
Dog walkers on the other hand. Round here many are going out more than once each day. And the amount of dog crap (and bags of dog crap) left to ruin other people's day is vastly increased. It amazes how rarely I see dog walkers picking up crap or carrying a bag of crap too.
I've taken to driving a mile down the road to take my daughter out for walk in place where few dog walkers go.
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.
Yep. I can only recall one unpleasant experience in over 25 years of cycling in the countryside. Ramblers, joggers and cyclists on the other hand...
Last week, there were two horse riders ahead of me on a bridleway, I slowed and called out; they moved over as soon as they were able to. I'm failing to see the problem.
I find horse riders to be the most pleasant people to share the countryside with on balance.
Not where I live they aren't. Bunch of entitled ****ers most of them but then I am in the New Forest so that goes for the general population whether on a horse or not.
Also interesting that the wild horses don't seem to give a shit about anything and never spook so maybe it is the person sitting on top of them after all.
I can do if you want, but I thought we might have put that little ‘episode’ behind us.
Sorry, was winding you up danny!
Noone expects to take dogs or children out on the public highway without a firm leash. Why do horses get a pass?
My daughter is 8, I look after her on the tiny bits of road we do, but she's still a bit skittish. It's because she's 8 FFS! She's not on a leash, other than me training her correctly every time we're out on how to stay safe.
She and I expect that as vulnerable road users we'll be given space and as bit of leeway, and not be flattened against a parked car by a speeding ****. Like it says in the highway code generally, but also, what it means to behave reasonably. I expect this, and to be fair, I get it 99% of the time. So to be fair, horses and their riders don't get a pass; they don't need one. Everyone just needs to be reasonable and accommodate the needs of other people more often.
One of my neighbours was thrown by her horse yesterday Has a fractured vertebrate.
One of my neighbours was thrown by her horse yesterday Has a fractured vertebrate.
Ouch. I assume that no-one has fallen off their bike since the lockdown began.
Ouch. I assume that no-one has fallen off their bike since the lockdown began.
There's at least one STW'er who's broken their back/neck.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/broken-back-when-should-i-start-riding-again/
Obviously should have trained his bike better not to throw him off around ditches.
Dutch bikes don't throw you in ditches.
Dutch bikes don’t throw you in ditches
No, they throw you into dykes
No, they throw you into dykes
Covered in chocolate first?
This really is like reading one of those whining car threads about cyclists being on the road.
Pretty sad really.
No, they throw you into dykes
Only if you are a thoroughbred though.
Sorry, was winding you up danny!
Don't apologise, and you got a bit of a bite from me, so...... fair enough.
Glad (genuinely) we are on 'speaking' terms.
I had a close call a few days ago, riding along a footpath having just left the woods, in the distance were two horse riders taking up the entire path, one in control, turns out the other one not so much.
F#ck that I thought and turned around to go back into the woods and wait for them to pass.
The second horse started playing up and needed the experienced rider to calm it down, that horse ended up backwards, almost falling into the fence, If I'd have been on that path too it would have been carnage.
Both our activities are dangerous during a pandemic, but at least my bike doesn't have a mind of its own, if I crash its my fault.
So OP has a point.
Wild horses don't need a human to exercise and I haven't heard of any obese ones.
Care for your horses by all means, but maybe don't ride the skittish ones down narrow footpaths for now, also, why don't they ride them in the fields they are kept in.
The fact that everyone has to be extra extra careful and grind to a halt around horses suggests they are extremely dangerous to everyone and everything so maybe riding them past bikers dog walkers and kids isn't a great idea at the moment.
Both our activities are dangerous during a pandemic, but at least my bike doesn’t have a mind of its own, if I crash its my fault.
You need a thoroughbred bike of course. Try taking a Pinarello down FortWillie and see what happens
edit: and this thread is excellent. Well done everyone.
I come across horses quite a bit on the TPT near me in Cheshire.
As others have said, >90% of the time it's positive interactions. I tend to slow right down if they are coming towards me and very slowly overtake if going the other way; enough time to let the rider know I was there. I once startled a small lad on a pony with his mum with my bell. She actually apologised but I felt bad about it.
Very occasionally you get riders who are going too fast (I think they are only supposed to canter in certain places when nobody is about) and one very rude female rider shouted at me to slow down when I was going pretty slow as it was, a kind of "get out of my way".
Glad (genuinely) we are on ‘speaking’ terms.
Me too danny and I apologise for my rudeness in the past, it was out of order.
but maybe don’t ride the skittish ones down narrow footpaths for now,
I doubt very much you’ll find many riders taking horses along footpaths, they’ll be riding them along bridlepaths, the clue is in the first part of the name. In the same way it’s a trespass to ride bikes along country footpaths, but legal to ride on bridlepaths, for the exact same reason that horses can be.
Getting to a stretch of narrow bridleway which is occupied further along by a horse or two with their riders, common sense says to just wait a few minutes, have a drink and a breather until they go past, then carry on. Unless your Strava is demanding that you go tearing on past them or else face ridicule from other Strava users...
Isn't the rule that if you have to ask if you are being unreasonable then you probably are?
Unreasonably not reading the original post correctly...
You see very few horses on footpaths. Have you tried getting one over a stile?
Or getting under low branches when your head is 10 foot above the ground. Think height barrier and bikes on the roofrack 🙂
Horses get used to bikes quite quickly, they like racing 🙂 Although I'd need an ebike to be competitive...
I don't want to have to do this again.
but maybe don’t ride the skittish ones down narrow footpaths for now,
Agreed, but why is this a problem for cyclists?
She never mentioned it...
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.
Let me guess, you get chased and bitten by dogs too? Usually when you're chasing that KOM.
Like I said, just a guess.
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.
Good point. I expect you'll be first to agree cyclists shouldn't be on roads and should take their toys beck to the 19th century where they belong.
Let me guess, you get chased and bitten by dogs too? Usually when you’re chasing that KOM.
Like I said, just a guess.
You're a very mature individual. I'm impressed by your well reasoned and logical argument.
Don't horseriders treat everywhere as their bridleway, hence the big pile of shit outside my house and on the public footpath over the field at the top of my street. 😁🐎💩
Wild horses don’t need a human to exercise and I haven’t heard of any obese ones.
They are not fenced into an acre field and are not fed so they walk for miles and miles every day eating as they go. Not really possible for them to be obese or require additional exercise.
There are a fair few horse riders round where I live, generally they’re very polite. I usually stop for a Horse out of courtesy, also you just don’t know how easily spooked a Horse can be.
Also this might sound shallow but who doesn’t like to ponder an attractive Lady rider and the endless possibilities our own depraved mind takes us in that briefest of interactions.
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.
Good point. I expect you’ll be first to agree cyclists shouldn’t be on roads and should take their toys beck to the 19th century where they belong
Its not a difficult point to understand, but I'll spell it out for you, just because something has been happening for a long time it doesnt necessarily mean it should continue. Your argument that horses have been using roads since, well before roads, is meaningless in todays context. Its a very poor way to convince people of anything.
Seriously, all those people wanting to restrict horse riding - it's the same thought process (maybe not reasons) that ramblers use to justify keeping us off the footpaths, or drivers wanting us of the roads.
Be very, very careful about taking away someone else's legal rights of access, because it sets a precedent that really doesn't help our own interests in the longer term.
Learn to share responsibly.
Don’t horseriders treat everywhere as their bridleway,
And long may it continue. The Access laws in this country are idiotic.
Don’t horseriders treat everywhere as their bridleway, hence the big pile of shit outside my house and on the public footpath over the field at the top of my street
It's good shit though (man). Stick it on your Rhubarb.
It’s good shit though (man). Stick it on your Rhubarb.
I prefer custard.
I'll set 'em up, you knock 'em down.
Wasn't this post supposed to be about the dangers / irresponsibility of horseriding during a pandemic. Didn't Scottish authorities want to stop mountainbikers riding their bikes but said nothing about the more dangerous action of climbing on top of an unpredictable easily spooked 2000lb animal.
Out or a ride last night, came across two horses being walked (yup, not ridden), then one of them decided it was not a number and was going to escape to play with it's new friend in the next field.
No one got angry, I walked past, no one felt the need to kick a dog and I got to stroke the horse. Everyone's happy.
Well apart from the miserable horse hating, dog kicking fraternity. Seriously, get a grip, not everyone likes bikes, that probably winds you up to an extent, be the change you want to see in the world and live and let live.
Wasn’t this post supposed to be about the dangers / irresponsibility of horseriding during a pandemic. Didn’t Scottish authorities want to stop mountainbikers riding their bikes but said nothing about the more dangerous action of climbing on top of an unpredictable easily spooked 2000lb animal.
They didn't mention skydiving, sand yachting, spelunking, motorcross, rock climbing, and Russian roulette either.
Possibly because one is quite a popular activity and therefore worth mentioning during a prime time press conference and the others are niche activities enjoyed by a relatively small number of people, most of who can be relied upon to figure out whether their activity is reasonably more or less exercise or risky than mountain biking.
Its not a difficult point to understand, but I’ll spell it out for you, just because something has been happening for a long time it doesnt necessarily mean it should continue. Your argument that horses have been using roads since, well before roads, is meaningless in todays context. Its a very poor way to convince people of anything.
I dunno, it's a pretty good point. If horses are too old fashioned for roads, then so are bicycles, motorbikes and walking. It's a ludicrous argument.
Crikey- it's worth remembering that the person wearing those trousers will absolutely bloody stink of horse manure. Which is an enormous turn off.
I can't say I've had any bad interactions with horse riders lately, it's not what I'd consider essential but I'm not going to convince them otherwise so it's not worth wasting my time on. They probably think the same about me riding my mountain bike.
Nah, they don't smell of manure. They smell of sweaty horse, which is worse...
Crikey- it’s worth remembering that the person wearing those trousers will absolutely bloody stink of horse manure. Which is an enormous turn off
Well if you're going to get all fussy...
My first girlfriend worked in a pub kitchen and she smelled of chips...
Dog fighting, bear baiting and Cockfighting - banned in England in 1835
Slavery abolished in 1833.
Horses being used as a relatively normal mode of transport in the UK up until the First World War, and I remember them pulling carts in the city during my lifetime - albeit that was a rarity. I see horses on the road more often than recumbents - and not just on deserted country roads - but around town (popn. 15k)
There were only about 4x more horses (than now) in the UK at the time of the spanish fly pandemic despite the obvious leaps in vehicle and bicycle technology since then.
I think if you want to argue that horses are an outmoded anachronism with no place on our highways and byways you need to get your arguments better than suggesting they are as outdated as animal fighting and slavery.
Its not a difficult point to understand, but I’ll spell it out for you, just because something has been happening for a long time it doesnt necessarily mean it should continue. Your argument that horses have been using roads since, well before roads, is meaningless in todays context. Its a very poor way to convince people of anything.
I'm not sure why you think I'm disagreeing with you. So, like horse riders, just because cyclists have been allowed to use the road and hold everyone up for years does that mean they should be allowed to continue to do so?
You’re a very mature individual. I’m impressed by your well reasoned and logical argument.
Your complaint is identical to that of people who moan that dog owners expect everyone to know how to act around dogs. Usually the people who don't believe they should change their behaviour but yet frequently get chased or bitten.
the time of the spanish fly pandemic
That sounds ****ing awful. Or fun. Can't decide.
If horses are too old fashioned for roads, then so are bicycles, motorbikes and walking. It’s a ludicrous argument.
I think if you want to argue that horses are an outmoded anachronism with no place on our highways and byways you need to get your arguments better than suggesting they are as outdated as animal fighting and slavery.
People here abouts really do struggle with reading dont they? I havent suggested that horses should be banned. I like them and am happy to see them. I just thought whoever it was sweary rant that horses have been using roads since before cars was a shit argument in favour of them. Bikes shouldnt be allowed to use roads just because they have been doing it for a long time just like I think fox hunting or bear baiting shouldnt be allowed due to tradition.
Your opinion doesn’t matter worth a damn. Horses were using roads long before there were any motor vehicles of any sort
Count Zero
They didn’t mention ... Russian roulette either.
I haven't actually checked, but I'm pretty sure the nanny-state fun police do not approve of that as a recreational activity.
Thanks for adding to the list of dangerous activities thisisnotaspoon but I haven't seen any skydivers, sand yachters, rockclimbers, Russian roulette players or even motocrossers whilst out riding recently.
You do realise that historical precedent is half the basis of your law system right? That's why people are stating the contrary.
Also, as far as sweary rants go that's a 1/10.
motocrossers
Saw a group of 3 out the other day (well 'trail bikes' really, as they had postage stamp sized number plates) Essential exercise my arse!
On the other hand seen plenty of horse riders out, and they've been fine. They all wear hi-viz round here, so you can spot then a mile off.
As a dog-owner, walker and MTBer I have had problematic encounters with poor representatives from all of those ‘groups’ during lockdown. Have also had zero problems from other representatives from same ‘groups’.
No reason to believe that horse-riders aren’t the same. ie case by case.
As for runners, they’ve all been courteous and distanced. I don’t take it for granted though, as will no doubt now be flattened or sneezed at by one.
#stayalert
#givewayfirst
#meditate