Horses - SV650.org

01-09-05, 05:55 PM

Almost forgot to mention:

At the weekend, returning home from a blat up the mountains, I was approaching a roundabout and saw two horses with riders. I immediately backed off the throttle and slowed down, keeping the revs low to avoid scaring them (I have a stock can BTW). One horse was coming around the roundabout on the road, the correct way, almost like a cyclist, using the outside of the roundabout to get round. The other one was going counter clockwise, on the pavement around the roundabout, crossing the roads as it came to them. I had just gotten clear of the first horse and switched my attention to the second one as I got near to it. Without any indication of anything being wrong, it suddenly leapt into my path. I had to swerve to avoid it (cornering and proximity of it to me ruled out harsh braking, even at the 25-30mph I was doing) and had to change into the lane nearest the roundabout, without time to look. I knew I was reasonably safe to do this as I'd been approaching the roundabout fairly quickly and was well clear of the fairly thin traffic. However, had it been busier, it's entirely possible I could have swerved into the path of a car overtaking me on the roundabout (I know they shouldn't, but we all know they do).

I'm not exaggerating when I say 'leapt', it was a real, all four legs off the floor jump into my path!

On the same stretch of road, I've had a horse rapidly sidestep into the path of my car, causing me to swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid hitting it.

On another occassion, a few miles away, a (riderless) horse lept into the path of a school bus, smashing it to bits (front of the bus was wrecked, horse was dead, thankfully no one was hurt).

There's also the issue of horse crap on roads being a hazard to bicycles and motorcycles.

Most horses typically weigh in excess of 700kg and even under the control of an expert rider are far more prone to 'mechanical failure' (ie doing something the rider didn't tell it to) than most cars/bikes. Why aren't they (to my mind, rightly) targetted as nuisances/dangers to even the same degree we, as bikers are?

What would be the insurance position if that horse had had me off? I know they're not road taxed, am I right in assuming they don't need to be insured on the road either?

I have nothing against horses, I have a couple of friends who ride and even know some bikers who do. I just don't feel the road is the right place for them...

Supervox · 01-09-05, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

. . . I just don't feel the road is the right place for them...

When I had dirt bikes in the past I wouldn't ride in field where there were horses - that's their domain. So why oh why should they be allowed on the road which is 'my' domain ??

01-09-05, 06:21 PM

agree with above totally

embee · 01-09-05, 06:42 PM

May be wrong here, but something way back in my mind says that if you are moving in a vehicle it's your responsibility to avoid a horse (or other animal), but if you're stationary the owner of the animal is responsible for any damage it causes.

Not BASAT approved, I'm afraid.

01-09-05, 06:50 PM

I'm generally not bothered by horses. I live in the New Forest, so if I was then I'd be pretty stressed all the time.
When I see riders I always get off the throttle and coast past if I can. I usually get a nice wave to acknowledge that I'm making a deliberate effort.
When there are foals about is the worst time. Foals or mares with foals are the only unridden horses that I've seen react to my bike, on or off the throttle.
Riding across towards Burley last Friday I had a mare literally go nuts at me as I went past a good 15 feet away. I was quite lucky as a little twist of the throttle got my just out of harms reach in time.

01-09-05, 06:53 PM

I agree too...

The number of horses that used to 5h1t themselves whenever I rode past them with my SV was untrue, even with dipping the clutch & knocking the revs right off...

They should be banned off the roads

01-09-05, 08:23 PM

This is not my opinion but something I read a long time ago. If I remember correctly the horses have more rights than you on the road. Been around for 100s of years as a mode of transport, lots of 'ancient' laws blah blah blah. Could all be horsesh!t but I'm fairly sure that's the case.

If the animal is prone to 'spooking' the owner should take extreme caution and try and keep it right off the road on the grass verge though.

Sid Squid · 01-09-05, 08:53 PM

We have roads because of horses, well...sort of, and anyhoo they were about loooong before us, they have every right to be on the road and I support that completely, even when they poo all over the road 'round Regents Park, not sliding off on that stuff stops me getting bored.

01-09-05, 08:57 PM

pain in the ****ing ****. get them off the roads.

when they start paying road tax, i'll relax my outrageous opinion.

anybody going to do the "why the long face" bit?

01-09-05, 09:03 PM

While we are on the subject of horses, can some one tell me if this is true or not

I was told agesago that all vehicles need a bail of hay in the trunk to feed their horse. This law is from many moons ago when horse and carrige were used. The law just never got over ruled and still exists to this day. Although i can hardly see some one getting a fine/ point on licence for it anymore.

Anyone shed any light on this???

SPeeeeDY

Oh yea... i dont think horses should be on the road. But, If they can handle me riding past at legal speeds without backing off the noise, and they dont sh!t on the road, then they are ok

01-09-05, 05:55 PM	#1
Ceri JC Guest Posts: n/a	Horses Almost forgot to mention: At the weekend, returning home from a blat up the mountains, I was approaching a roundabout and saw two horses with riders. I immediately backed off the throttle and slowed down, keeping the revs low to avoid scaring them (I have a stock can BTW). One horse was coming around the roundabout on the road, the correct way, almost like a cyclist, using the outside of the roundabout to get round. The other one was going counter clockwise, on the pavement around the roundabout, crossing the roads as it came to them. I had just gotten clear of the first horse and switched my attention to the second one as I got near to it. Without any indication of anything being wrong, it suddenly leapt into my path. I had to swerve to avoid it (cornering and proximity of it to me ruled out harsh braking, even at the 25-30mph I was doing) and had to change into the lane nearest the roundabout, without time to look. I knew I was reasonably safe to do this as I'd been approaching the roundabout fairly quickly and was well clear of the fairly thin traffic. However, had it been busier, it's entirely possible I could have swerved into the path of a car overtaking me on the roundabout (I know they shouldn't, but we all know they do). I'm not exaggerating when I say 'leapt', it was a real, all four legs off the floor jump into my path! On the same stretch of road, I've had a horse rapidly sidestep into the path of my car, causing me to swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid hitting it. On another occassion, a few miles away, a (riderless) horse lept into the path of a school bus, smashing it to bits (front of the bus was wrecked, horse was dead, thankfully no one was hurt). There's also the issue of horse crap on roads being a hazard to bicycles and motorcycles. Most horses typically weigh in excess of 700kg and even under the control of an expert rider are far more prone to 'mechanical failure' (ie doing something the rider didn't tell it to) than most cars/bikes. Why aren't they (to my mind, rightly) targetted as nuisances/dangers to even the same degree we, as bikers are? What would be the insurance position if that horse had had me off? I know they're not road taxed, am I right in assuming they don't need to be insured on the road either? I have nothing against horses, I have a couple of friends who ride and even know some bikers who do. I just don't feel the road is the right place for them...

01-09-05, 08:53 PM	#8
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	We have roads because of horses, well...sort of, and anyhoo they were about loooong before us, they have every right to be on the road and I support that completely, even when they poo all over the road 'round Regents Park, not sliding off on that stuff stops me getting bored. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

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01-09-05, 06:21 PM	#3
hall13uk Guest Posts: n/a	agree with above totally

01-09-05, 06:42 PM	#4
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,802	May be wrong here, but something way back in my mind says that if you are moving in a vehicle it's your responsibility to avoid a horse (or other animal), but if you're stationary the owner of the animal is responsible for any damage it causes. Not BASAT approved, I'm afraid.

01-09-05, 06:50 PM	#5
Carsick Guest Posts: n/a	I'm generally not bothered by horses. I live in the New Forest, so if I was then I'd be pretty stressed all the time. When I see riders I always get off the throttle and coast past if I can. I usually get a nice wave to acknowledge that I'm making a deliberate effort. When there are foals about is the worst time. Foals or mares with foals are the only unridden horses that I've seen react to my bike, on or off the throttle. Riding across towards Burley last Friday I had a mare literally go nuts at me as I went past a good 15 feet away. I was quite lucky as a little twist of the throttle got my just out of harms reach in time.

01-09-05, 06:53 PM	#6
Cloggsy Guest Posts: n/a	I agree too... The number of horses that used to 5h1t themselves whenever I rode past them with my SV was untrue, even with dipping the clutch & knocking the revs right off... They should be banned off the roads

01-09-05, 08:23 PM	#7
Mrs Marky Guest Posts: n/a	This is not my opinion but something I read a long time ago. If I remember correctly the horses have more rights than you on the road. Been around for 100s of years as a mode of transport, lots of 'ancient' laws blah blah blah. Could all be horsesh!t but I'm fairly sure that's the case. If the animal is prone to 'spooking' the owner should take extreme caution and try and keep it right off the road on the grass verge though.

01-09-05, 08:57 PM	#9
keithd Guest Posts: n/a	pain in the **ing **. get them off the roads. when they start paying road tax, i'll relax my outrageous opinion. anybody going to do the "why the long face" bit?

01-09-05, 09:03 PM	#10
SPeeeeDY Guest Posts: n/a	While we are on the subject of horses, can some one tell me if this is true or not I was told agesago that all vehicles need a bail of hay in the trunk to feed their horse. This law is from many moons ago when horse and carrige were used. The law just never got over ruled and still exists to this day. Although i can hardly see some one getting a fine/ point on licence for it anymore. Anyone shed any light on this??? SPeeeeDY Oh yea... i dont think horses should be on the road. But, If they can handle me riding past at legal speeds without backing off the noise, and they dont sh!t on the road, then they are ok