Woops - spooked a horse

Trucamo · 11 Oct 2015 at 23:21

I'll preface this by saying I used to ride horses so I have nothing against the horses or their riders, I try to be courteous around them at all times and this is the first incident I have ever had with horses on the road.

I was out for "spirited" (but completely safe/legal) ride in the country today. As I rounded a bend there was horse crap across my whole lane, no choice but to ride through it, as the bend opened up I spotted 2 horses with riders so I started to slow, the oncoming traffic had stopped to wait for the horses so I had to come to a complete stop/crawl behind them.

I'll be the first to admit I could have probably stopped sooner, however I was cautious having just ridden through the crap which was most likely still on my wheels (should I have worried about this?) so I made use of the available stopping distance I had.

I slowed till I was maybe 8 foot behind the horse, at which point the rider seemed to panic and yank on the reins (almost pulling the horse into the car next to it), this caused the horse to panic and stamp a bit. After it calmed they carried on forwards, I followed maybe 15 feet behind at which point I was told to wait by the lead rider, so I did. Eventually they pulled to the side so I went to pass, the lead horse almost stepped back into the road at this point, so I gave it a really wide berth.

I feel bad about spooking the horse and will be sure to give them even more space in future. I do however I feel the whole incident would have been avoided if my tyres weren't coated in crap and if the riders weren't so panicky, has anyone else had any incidents with horses while out for a country ride?

Trucamo · 11 Oct 2015 at 23:35

Clov!s said:
I don't change my riding for horses.

So you would ride up behind it as though it was a car? Or if you were coming the other way just go past at your normal speed? I find horses unpredictable so would scared about passing one at my normal speed.

Trucamo · 11 Oct 2015 at 23:43

wazza300 said:
I tend to give them as wide a birth as I can,and pull in the clutch/throttle off and coast past

I have heard that some horses like that less than a constant noise as it catches them off guard when it sneaks up on them. Apparently it's one of the reasons they sometimes like bicycles even less than motorcycles.

Trucamo · 12 Oct 2015 at 00:06

The_Abyss said:
The whole incident could have been avoided if there were no horses on the road at all. Completely avoidable and shouldn't be allowed imo.

That's another option, I don't feel it's very safe, from looking at some horsey forums, even a carrier bag is enough to spook most horses ><

wazza300 said:
Idk I've never had any issues,I just think the less loud noise the less to startle them,most have blinkers on the horses anyway so can't see much

My bike is fairly quiet, SFV650 (stock pipe and mahusive collector box). These horses didn't have blinkers on, so I think when the rider panicked and the horse saw me behind it was a bit like: "WTF is that thing behind me!!"

Trucamo · 12 Oct 2015 at 00:20

When I got home I did watch BVG's video on this topic, Horses vs Motorcycles on Youtube. Disclaimer: bad language is contained within

Trucamo · 12 Oct 2015 at 00:24

TallPaul_S said:
I was going to suggest searching for that - I would delete it though, that level of swearing might get you in trouble!

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't realise those rules extended to embedded/linked content.

Trucamo · 12 Oct 2015 at 10:43

cheesyboy said:
You can cross the line to overtake if they're going under 10mph, which a horse will be. Not the cyclist, though.

Shouldn't horses and their riders be attempting to make "reasonable progress"? Last time I checked a horse can trot/canter/gallop perfectly well.

Trucamo · 12 Oct 2015 at 12:07

Kreeeee said:
That can be dangerous on the road as the horse skids if they try to stop from a trot or quicker (source: my fiancée's mum has horses).

Don't take my comment too seriously, I understand the reasons however I also know there are rubber/synthetic shoes available for horses designed for use on the road to prevent skidding and make trotting less dangerous, I believe some police forces use them instead of the iron shoes.

Trucamo · 12 Oct 2015 at 13:00

ttaskmaster said:
Fixed that for ya.

"Pedestrians are a problem", says the biker.
"Cyclists are a problem", says the biker.
"Horse riders are a problem", says the biker.
"Cars are a problem", says the biker.
"White van men are a problem", says the biker.

Common problem is the biker. Remove motorcycles, death toll drops, job done.
Thanks for playing...

So removing motorcycles would make horses in the road a non-issue? I think cyclists actually have more issues with them than we do.

Even if a rider held all of those beliefs, it wouldn't make them a problem unless it affected their behaviour while out riding, I doubt most of us are petty enough to let than happen.

I personally don't agree with horses in the road, as much for their happiness/safety as ours, but while they have the right to use the road I will still act courteous around them.

Trucamo · 12 Oct 2015 at 13:06

tom_e said:
As ttaskmaster is a biker I don't feel he was being entirely serious

Ah okay, I don't frequent the forums too often, although I do remember his name from other semi-troll'ish posts so I did have an inkling, now I know!

Trucamo · 12 Oct 2015 at 20:03

agnes said:
Coming from a horsey family, it really does make a difference. A lot of people thing it's the loud noises. It's not, it's the sudden arrival of a foreign object in the horses field of view. They are nervous creatures and easily spooked.

I think that's what spooked the horse, it was fine until the girl yanked it sideways and it suddenly saw me behind it. When I used to ride I was always told not to sneak up on them as they are very easily startled.

Trucamo · 12 Oct 2015 at 20:05

wazza300 said:
just remember to wear your helmet !!

I think wazza300 is here to keep lightening the thread up

making me smile at least!