why do horse owners think they own the road ?

Rupert_Bear

I live in the country and for me this is part of country life. Also I always find horseriders very, very polite.

Mr_Lahey

DCFC79 wrote: »

boliston you have taken teh words out of my mouth. Surely if you live in the countryside then horses and the riders are to be expected to be part of the country side as you wont see them in cities,

I also see a myriad of fields and bridleways.

Why would one want to ride on a road and not within the beauty of bridleways?

kelou

*Vikki* wrote: »

They were here way before cars so why shouldn't they be on the roads?

Pass wide and slow and go one your way, whats the problem?

Kelou out of interest why did you thank the op?

Hi, entirely by mistake meant to submit a reply and hit the wrong button! Was kind of hoping no one would notice my moment of stupidity!:D

nervousftb_3

Rupert_Bear wrote: »

I live in the country and for me this is part of country life. Also I always find horseriders very, very polite.

finally someone speaking some sense!!

a few points in response to other posters:

1) Road tax - car owners pay road tax to pay for the upkeep of the roads. Cars cause damage to the tarmac, horses don't, therefore no road tax to pay (same as bikes and pedestrians!).

2) Horse mess - as horses are omnivores this isn't dangerous to people unlike dog mess, which is why it doesn't have to be picked up off the roads (good for the garden though!!!)

3) Horseshoes - these are metal yes, so would be slippy on roads, but can (and should) be fitted with special road studs that stop this from happening

Personally I would always try as a horse rider to be as courteous as possible on the roads, i.e. ride in single file as much as possible, thank people for slowing down, move into gateways/laybys to allow traffic past etc. Unfortunately some riders give us a bad name by talking on mobiles, ignoring people who slow down for them and so on, and this just encourgages people to treat us all badly!

Mr_Lahey

nervousftb wrote: »

Personally I would always try as a horse rider to be as courteous as possible on the roads, i.e. ride in single file as much as possible, thank people for slowing down, move into gateways/laybys to allow traffic past etc. Unfortunately some riders give us a bad name by talking on mobiles, ignoring people who slow down for them and so on, and this just encourgages people to treat us all badly!

The perfect Horse Rider explaining in perfect context why people have a problem with Horse Riders.

Thank you.

nervousftb_3

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

I also see a myriad of fields and bridleways.

Why would one want to ride on a road and not within the beauty of bridleways?

because you can't just go and ride in any old field (unfortunately!) as you have to have the owners permission, and secondly there simply aren't enough bridle paths in many areas of the country (and you still have to ride on the roads to get from one to another, even if only for a few minutes).

i would think all riders would rather ride on bridle paths than on the roads, but unfortunately many don't have a choice. and riding in endless circles in a field is pretty mind-numbing for a horse, they need a change of scene sometimes!

squack

Police Horses should be banned though. it is exploitative and cruel to force animals to work in crowd control situations.

exup

I have more problems with drunk drivers and drunk pedestrians thinking they own the road then horses.

nervousftb_3

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

The perfect Horse Rider explaining in perfect context why people have a problem with Horse Riders.

Thank you.

you're my new best friend :rotfl:

squack

watch out for pee-destrians and bi-cyclists