Horse Riding on Major Roads

[milly143]

On my way home last night I was following one of these big trucks that carries scaffolding. It's pretty much all country side round here but most of the roads are wide with a 50 or 60 mph limit. Driving along what is one of the busiest roads connecting two towns, two horse riders suddenly appeared from a side road to join the main road we were on. The sound and speed (probably only about 40mph at that point) of the truck in front of me spooked the larger horse who began spinning round and stepping into other parts of the road. All vehicles came to a stop until the rider eventually managed to get the horse under control but it was very unnerving for a while. The other rider was just a child on a smaller horse and would have had no hope if something more had happened.

Do you think horse riders should be limited to where and when they take their horses out on public roads?

[milly143]

Lol Triggs. Don't dampen down how you really feel.

Good idea Trim. Even better idea, motor vehicles banished completely and we all get ponies and carts. Like the good old days.

[LoftyLottie]

Roads are there for all road users, including horses and pedestrians and all road users should be aware of hazards and drive accordingly. Last week on walking down the road towards my house (no footpath) a lorry driver came screaming down the road towards me and because there were cars coming the other way, indicated by pointing at the verge beside me that I should be walking on there (2ft. of brambles and a ditch!!). He was so miffed that he had to slow down that I got a mouthful of abuse from him.

Sometimes horse riders have no alternative than to ride down a main road much the same as pedestrians have no alternative.

[LoftyLottie]

Mind you he got as much foul language and rude signs back as he gave out - stupid man!!

[LoftyLottie]

Actually, neither have I, nor have I ever wanted one. They frighten me a bit unless they are on the other side of a fence.

[rsvp]

s sexist remarks, sexist remarks from trigs - you missed out cowgirls :-)

[Frank97]

I've got a jacket made out of one and that's very nice.

[tamborine]

Our commons/bridle paths are full of walkers & unleashed dogs who give chase to passing riders. Not forgeting the flashers & moonies :)

[237SJ]

Know your horse! I know horses can be spooked by silly things but some horses are bomb proof. I`ve ridden in southern Europe where people don`t even slow down at all for horses and the horse hasn`t flinched. If it`s a nervy horse, you don`t take it onto busy roads. The rest is up to the rider (single file etc) and road users exercising caution when they bypass anything whether`s it`s a horse, hiker, dog walker etc.

[TWR]

I am not against horses or their riders, what I am against is the stupidity of riding the animals on roads that have bad bends etc, if involved with a horse & rider & there is damage to your car " Who pays" the horse is unlicensed, does not pay insurance for any damage, the cr@p that it leaves on the road can cause a Motorcyclist to come off when wet, & why endanger a young child with the strength of a horse that begins to rear up because it's frightened. Lofty with respect, I would have indicated the same regards the verge, the driver would have been thinking about your safety, regards the horse has no alternative? do you not think the field would have been safer?

[ummmm]

Not as lush as sheep....and roofs

[rsvp]

ahhhh - thank you trigs x

[tamborine]

triggs...at Aintree or betting shop. If you want one to ride yourself loan it from stables near you.

[Frank97]

Can you buy horse meat in the UK?