Horses

having grown up around horses, sister and dad used to ride, i personally am absolutely bloody terrified of horses! i learnt to ride but horses know when youre scared! brothers wife has a horse and about a year and a half ago it reared up on a public road and landed on her breaking her back. i personally have no problem at all with horses on the roads after all they were on the roads long before bikes and cars! sying they should be banned is the same attitude as the ramblers and the trail riders who are now being stopped from using a lot of green lanes due to the intolerance of the ramblers . slowing down and stopping is hardly a massive inconsiderance and it gives you the chance to look at a young lady in tight jodpurs(?) and knee lenght boots!

Originally Posted by robaker

Looking at the specifics of the original post the highway code (www.highwaycode.gov.uk) is, once again, your friend. Looking for Horse in the index leads to rules 34-41, which covers a lot of what's been said here including use of reflective vests and lights. Rule 40, in particular, states that is is illegal to use a footpath, and 41 recommends avoiding roundabouts at all costs, so the original poster is fine with regard to blame in the scenario as described (as far as I can see).

nice find m8ty should clear up a few urban mthys.. and also help in any claim that might result..

Well it has nothing to do with horses. But what about cows being allowed on the public roads. It's all well and good having cattle grids to keep the animals in certain areas, and even having warning signs that state there is a possibility of having cattle in the road. But should it be allowed

A road I use every day has cattle wondering freely. There have been many a time that I have come round a corner to find a cow stood directly in my path. If that isn't bad enough, there is the cow sh*t to watch out for as well.

The cattle grids ruin two very good corners and the cattle and their excrement ruin a good road full stop. I could go on about the deer as well, but seeing as they are wild and have free reign I guess I can't complain about that.

This is sort of in reply to the poster that sugested the drop the revs and dip the clutch aproach. So, I have learnt to actaully make a bit of noise when i am coming up behind a horse, Not a lot, but enough to let them know you are there.

I learnt this after an incident in Ireland, I was cycling home from a race (push bike), and I was cruising slowly, and very quietly. Saw the horses, and swung out to the wrong side of the road to over take (<30mph). Horse had blinkers on, and, I think because i was so quiet it freaked out when it saw me.
It did the whole jumping sideways, rearing up, and standing on its hind legs. They both went down, rider and horse, horse landing on rider.
I was shocked... so, I started pulling to a halt, and was about to unclip from the pedals, when over my shoulder i saw the other rider, going full tilt towards me, screaming bloody murder. He was a big really p_ssd off guy, basically I sprinted flat out until my pulse was in the 200 region. He was in a serious rage, but I wanted to help.
And, I did nothing, and have felt guilty about it since.
Since then, I make a racket coming towards them, short shift down or whatever, and then leave a massive lee way. About horses on the road... I still think the have the right. You just cant always account for stupidity.

Phil.

I'd go along with Grinch's sentiments. Give them as much room as possible, coast by with the throttle closed and keep a sharp eye on the horse. Obey your instinct to even stop, the rider should then take charge of the situation and guide you past.
I was always taught the priority was edestrians, horses, cyclists and then motorists the largest of which demand priority.
I think a claim might be made on the owners liability section of the their house/contents insurance if they have it.

This has to be the definitive guide to passing horses...

http://www.ixion.org.uk/faq/horse.html

Originally Posted by Nick762

This has to be the definitive guide to passing horses...

http://www.ixion.org.uk/faq/horse.html

Originally Posted by Nick762

This has to be the definitive guide to passing horses...

http://www.ixion.org.uk/faq/horse.html

ROFL!!!

Originally Posted by Professor

My friend's Alfa Romeo was severely damaged when an out of control
horse (with rider) ran out of a field and ended up sitting on his
bonnet. The horse (rider?) was not insured: apparently, it is not
compulsory for them. The guy ended up paying for his repairs from
his own insurance (fortunately, it was full comprehensive).

On a slightly different tack, (pardon the pun), a few years ago my ex was walking our dog on a lead & another dog came running up & started hassleing her, my dog bit it on the ear & because of this it was deemed that my dog was at fault, i simply claimed from the £1000,000.00 personal liability on my household insurance which i believe most if not all of them have, could this be used to claim against a horserider who surely is ultimately responsible for their horses actions.

Originally Posted by Foey

On a slightly different tack, (pardon the pun), a few years ago my ex was walking our dog on a lead & another dog came running up & started hassleing her, my dog bit it on the ear & because of this it was deemed that my dog was at fault, i simply claimed from the £1000,000.00 personal liability on my household insurance which i believe most if not all of them have, could this be used to claim against a horserider who surely is ultimately responsible for their horses actions.

I'll have to mention that to a guy I work with - his dog regularly attacks other peoples dogs, deer, anything that's dumb enough to be spotted and try and make a run for it (it's some wolf/husky/german shepherd cross). It's costing him a fortune every time it maims one of his friends/neighbours dogs.