Reckless drivers keep horses off the road

I ride on roads because I have no choice if I want to exercise the horse I ride outside of a sand school. if there were bridle paths believe me, i'd stick to them! I HATE roadwork. if I ever don't say thankyou it's because about 200 cars can go past me in a single ride some days - my arm and head will fall off if I say thanks to everyone! I appreciate that we are slow when walking in front of your Audi or BMW - but any faster and it puts a real strain on the horses legs, so please, if you drive anywhere near a horse, do it nice and slow and know that it is appreciated even if you don't get a wave xxx.

The Highway Code actually offers advice to motorised traffic to observe signals from horse riders because they have a better view than cars and motorbikes. But all too often you get a mouthful of abuse ... :(

I agree, theres nothing which irritates me more than a rider who doesnt acknowledge a considerate driver.i always wave to say thanks and if my horse is being particularly bolshy and its not safe to take my hand off the rein i'll do an exaggerated nod to the driver so they know im grateful. ive often signalled to drivers to slow down as theyve approached me at around 50mph on a country lane as I know itll spook my horse and some have just ignored me.they think you're being awkward when really you're just trying to avoid an unnecessary accident.there should be more tv adverts educating drivers how to behave which includes a mention to riders to thank the drivers too.

Excuse me Mr Fiddleywinks, would you like to point out where in my posting I have "moaned about my horse accident for the 8 millioneth time"? I am struggling to find any such words. You want to be careful, otherwise people might think you are a nasty, spiteful and vindictive little troll person.

Oh god not again its Nikki moaning about her horse accident for the 8 millionth time boooooooooring change the record you self obsessed cow.

Well lucky old you Steve, having access to off-road riding. Very, very few people are so lucky. Most people have to ride at least a little way on the road to reach a bridleway or fields to which they are granted access.

I totally agree that horses and riders should pass a test before being allowed to ride on the road though, and children under 16 definitely always accompanied. Insurance and hats definitely compusory, plus high viz clothing etc.

When I was riding as a gold member of the BHS I had £10m worth of public liability insurance - thank goodness as it turned out.

SteveP - Totally agree with most of your comments, riders and horses should pass training/tests before using them and children under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. Insurance and hats should be compulsory for ALL as should tack and fluorescents. It strikes me as ridiculous that I could go right now at 00:30hrs and put a headcollar on my horse (who is dark bay) wearing black clothes and no hat and ride down the road! If you got caught without a seatbelt or lights on a car you would be in trouble! The only thing I would say is that I would love to ride on the fields & tracks near me, unfortunately I would be done for trespass if I did as all the tracks are private land and state as such, although we have used them for many years without issue, recently due to quads and 4x4's using tracks and farmers fields they have closed them off to everyone, with signs warning against trespass. The bridleways we have are impassable and we are in the process of trying to put that right. Meanwhile I'm stuck on the roads, and I for one am insured (£2m liability), have passed a riding and road safety test and always wear proper tack, a hat and fluorescent and reflective equipment as well as flashing arm and leg bands. I just hope that me thanking each driver to show that I really appreciate it makes a difference.

Firstly, I like horses and ride one frequently where they belong in the fields, tracks and into the river. I quite agree that even though they are allowed to ride on the road, the horse has no place on todays roads. They are often riden by young girls not old enough to drive, have no experience on the road, riding a beast with a mind of its own. All it needs is the horse to be spooked and there is an accident. Even when a horse is broken in to traffic, there are always instances where the horse can be spooked.
I live in the country and even here, they ride down that 16 foot wide strip of tarmac even though there are miles and miles of fields and tracks surounding. The country lanes are 60mph winding roads with high hedgerows where drivers often cannot see the horse until its too late. Of course the horse rider will blame the motorist, but wait a minute, who's right here, the experienced motorist going along at less than the speed limit, or the 13 year old girl riding on the road on a beast she can't control?
As a car driver, motorcyclist and a horse rider, all with 30+ years experience. I can see all sides. I am of the opinion that horse riders should have a road test and be of a reasonable age before being allowed on the road. The horse should have third party insurance to cover any damage to property it may do.
I see many a sticker stating the horse was here before the car. It was, but it is a very dangerous thing to ride on todays roads, so someone get their act together and get them responsible and accountable!!!

they dont have to be ignorant! thats ridiculous! maybe they have a spooked horse and cant raise their hand to wave thanks or the driver may miss a smile or nod off a rider.

I would like to wholeheartedly applaud Rider of the Apocalypse's remarks. Whereas I might slightly differ from him/her in what happens to us once we die, I will agree that we all need to bear in mind that around every blind bend there could be a rider on a horse ... or indeed a woman pushing a baby in a pushchair, or a herd of cows, or a flock of sheep, or a bike rider on a mountain bike. A few seconds of delay to your journey could mean the saving of several lives ... your's included.

Speed DOES kill ... the slower the speed you hit someone or something at, the more the chance of everyone's survival.

Horse riders have the right to use public roads, it is not compulsory for a horse rider to tip a nod or wave to drivers, some horses are required to have 2 hands on the reins at all times and because some horses can be difficult on the road, 100% concentration needs to be applied, so its not always easy to tip a nod or wave, especially on a busy road. As a horse rider can I appeal to everyone who reads this in the nicest possible way, please do not overtake a horse on a blind bend, it is dangerous and could mean your death in a head on, the driver coming in the opposite direction, will also die and in all likelihood the horse and rider will also die. Death is very final, there is no heaven there is no hell, there is absolutely nothing. So please please drive carefully, we all have a right to our pastimes, for the sake of a few minutes is it really worth the risk.

everone should have consideration for each other weather it be an animal in the road or human