Horse Road Safety - too many accidents on the road

Sept. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Recently I have had a number of posts on my facebook page regarding horses being killed on the road. Some of the photos have been horrific and it certainly makes you think about road and riding safety. I myself have attended a course regarding speeding, and although not proud to say I got caught speeding, the course itself has changed the way I drive. It's the little things I have come to think about more, for instance if I am running late due to traffic or my own ill prepared timings, I will now pull over to make a call to say I am running late. I have taken the saying: 'It's better to be five minutes late in this life, than five minutes early into the next'.

Having riden horses for many years, as a young person my own riding instructor was very strict on the way in which we rode on the roads. Many of our hacks meant having to ride out on the roads until we came to a bridle path. I have continued to ride with the upmost caution throughout my life, making sure that I always thank careful and slow passing drivers, helping drivers on country roads to overtake when its clear and making sure I ride single file where I can.

A few years ago I owned a palomino pony, she was fab, but unfortunately was not very confident in traffic especially big lorries. I had many a scary moment and on occasion found myself in a ditch on my bottom!! So where possible I didn't ride on any roads, or if I did always went out with a confident horse and tucked myself up on the inside. I now own a horse who, as the saying goes it 100% traffic proof (well to be fair he is great with traffic, but not so great with those little monsters you sometimes find hiding in the hedge!) and at the yard where he is now stabled I find myself having to ride on sometimes busy roads to get to a bridle path.

I love driving, and always fancied myself as a rally driver! As a horse rider when driving past other riders I always slow down and pass nice and wide. However, I get really frustrated when driving down country lanes, riders that ride two a breast and make no effort to move over, or they do not say thank you. The other day, a very small person was being led down the road on her pony. As I approached in the car, I saw her Mum say to the young rider, “You must say thank you” to which I received a huge smile and a massive wave, plus Mum also said thank you. This was fantastic to see such a young rider being taught properly.

There are to say politely, many drivers on the road that really shouldn't have a driving license. I have met many riding my now trusty steed. I have on occasion shown that I am not mpressed with their driving skills and have also at times nearly had my ankle taken off by some womble who just really couldn't wait for the oncoming car before passing, what is it, oh that's right WIDE & SLOW. I have also had to be that confident team taking out a less confident horse out on the roads and I am amazed at the stupidity we have faced. I have faced some rather scary moments riding my mountain bike, which also at times has a mind of its own! So, its not just on horses that I have found myself nearly being flung into a ditch!

Looking into this in more detail, I have seen comments such as, horses shouldn't be on the road etc... I just wonder how many of those comments come from drivers who have had bad experiences from riders? I think we have to look at both views, and with everything is comes down to education.

Horses are animals with their own mind, and even experienced riders can not always determine what their horse may do! But does that say we shouldn't be allowed on the road? I don't think so, what it does mean is that riders should always do their best to be seen, understand the rules when riding on the road, be polite and just be sensible. Drivers, we also need to know the rules, read the highway code and always be aware especially on country roads. It's not just horses, it can be deer, foxes, sheep in the road, cyclists anything that can move really! We live in a busy world with everybody wanting to get to A – B in a hurry, but how would you feel if you caused an accident because you weren't paying attention and that goes to both driver and rider. Be safe, be seen, pass Slow and Wide. Come and see our store for products to keep you seen http://www.madantsequestrian.com