Horses

Originally Posted by Cloggsy

I wouldn't say he had no knowledge of riding Kate...

Whoa! This is gettig a bit personal isn't it!?

Originally Posted by SVeeedy Gonzales

Whoa! This is gettig a bit personal isn't it!?

LOL

Originally Posted by Kate

Did you have any mints in your pockets? They can smell them from miles away.

No Polos for me. She just went crazy as soon as she saw me. I couldn't see a foal near her, either.
On the other hand, females going crazy when they see me isn't anything new.

Being a biker and being the owner of a horse I have to say I am definately torn. My wife is the primary keeper and rider of the horse and me the bike but we enjoy both.

However, I think the biggest problem with horses v bikes is that similarly to emergency vehicles, drivers/riders as a whole don't know the appropriate thing to do when encountering them. We should respect them and more importantly the safety of the person on the back. If the horses rears up because some f***wit blares past on his bike with a load can and the rider falls, surely that is not acceptable. So like Cloggsy rightely pointed out, where possible, indicate, pass wide, dip clutch and wait till your a suitable distance past before opening her up. Its also nice to flash your light to oncoming vehicles to advise of the danger.

Horses (as Kate will I'm sure agree) only go on roads where they have to. You can just go galloping through some private land to avoid the roads. The road is not just for cars or bikes, but push bikes, scooters (spit spit) and other forms of transport not fit for the pavement. When horses are kept in most urbanised areas where big expanses of field are not available, going on roads is unavoidable and where this occurs other road users so show consideration.

However (puts biker hat on) I do understand that they can create very hazardous situations for road users. Especially us vunerable bikers. But again, for the few seconds hassle of passing sensibly, can be avoided without cause for major concern. There are some horses due to temperament that should I think be restricted from road use. As these even when approached, or passed correctly can be a danger. It is also as much rider ability to control a horse on a public highway. Some younger/less experienced riders should again, be restricted from road use. However I not going to talk about if the two are combined (Normally the young rich girl whose Daddy bought her a horse and wants to take it out)

But I think that we just have to accept them as a part of road life and be considerate when encountered. If they still cause problems/or accidents you should take it up with the horse owner/stables.

Originally Posted by aimhamilton

We should respect them and more importantly the safety of the person on the back. If the horses rears up because some f***wit blares past on his bike with a load can and the rider falls, surely that is not acceptable. So like Cloggsy rightely pointed out, where possible, indicate, pass wide, dip clutch and wait till your a suitable distance past before opening her up. Its also nice to flash your light to oncoming vehicles to advise of the danger.

Completely agree. The reasons I am so careful is the danger to the rider and the danger to me or another road user caused by the horse getting spooked. I'm not overly bothered about the horse's state of mind other than that.
Over the New Forest, you get alot of people flashing lights when there's animals, ridden and free roaming, round the next corner. The only ones I tend to notice not doing it is those who look like grockels.

Originally Posted by Grinch

25-30 mph is to fast 10-20 is better

I can't believe it took a whole page for anyone to mention this! It just sounds like you were going too fast, got yourself in a spot of bother and are trying to find somewhere else to put the blame. Just slow down and stay as far away as possible and they're not a problem.

So I guess what we are trying to say is ban F**kwits from the road whoever or whatever they are.

Undoubtedly Volvo would go bust and the Belgiams would have a little more meat (JOKE) but such is life.

Originally Posted by Nekkid

I can't believe it took a whole page for anyone to mention this! It just sounds like you were going too fast, got yourself in a spot of bother and are trying to find somewhere else to put the blame. Just slow down and stay as far away as possible and they're not a problem.

I did wonder... you should even slow down if they are on the other side of the road, something that I've noticed people don't always do.

I slid on some horce cr*p the other day friggin scared the cr*p out of meh

Originally Posted by didge

I slid on some horce cr*p the other day friggin scared the cr*p out of meh

Yeah, it's unpleasant if you don't see it in time, but it's all part of your proper observations.