Cycling around equines

[LufbraAl]

I grew up in the New Forest and spent a fair amount of time riding both bikes and horses on the road. Whilst riding on the road, I've experienced some amazing driving, as well as come close to serious injury multiple times, rather like cycling.

What sort of interactions have other cyclists had with horses on (or off) road that we might learn from?

 

[13 rider]

My sister is a horse rider and told me when approaching from the rear give a vocal warning something like "bike coming bye" so rider and horse know your there and the horse is not spooked by you suddenly appearing . When passing in the other direction I just slow a bit and watch the horse for any skittishness .

 

[Mo1959]

Yes.................as 13 rider really. I shout out a friendly "Hello. OK to come past" before getting too close and it lets horse and rider have time to react if need be.

 

[TheDoctor]

I'll always greet a horse and rider, but mostly it's for the benefit of the horse. And me, I suppose, in that I don't fancy being near an agitated horse.

 

[Colin_P]

As these interactions are usually on narrow lanes, I always slow down or stop. I also make a point of having a cheerful word to the rider and more importantly the horse.

 

[Saluki]

I never use a bell near a horse - mine used to be very unhappy at bike bells dinging at them - but call out "Afternoon (or whatever time of day it is) passing on a bike" or words to that effect. I wait for the rider to acknowledge me too. A horse letting go with both barrels at chest height is going to ruin your afternoon, so making them jump is not advisable.
I have had 2 sorts of horses, myself. Bombproof ones and ones that will have a nervous breakdown at the sight of a sweet wrapper on the floor. Best to err on the side of caution when dealing with half a ton of horse.

 

[jonny jeez]

I Slow down...a lot, make sure the rider (there is usually more than one) knows I am there and then pass.

I make sure I say "good Morning/afternoon" too as @TheDoctor and @Colin_P mentions) in a cheery way as I am told by my sister that this puts the horse at ease as the rider and you seem familiar and therefore not a threat.

Don't know if that's true but all the riders I pass seem very happy to respond in equally cheery tones.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

...(or off) road that we might learn from?

Take polo mints, they'll love you. I'm just back from feeding 9 horses and they all got a polo mint as well. I is their fave persons.

 

[winjim]

When participating in a sportive, don't blast past an equestrian at 20+mph in a massive peloton. It could lead to a spooked horse, broken bones, and a certain amount of animosity.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Like others, its about the interaction : A friendly greeting then a slow steady wide line around.

 

[growingvegetables]

Thank you to a rider met on the TPT. Ride up behind a horse, wearing bright colours, silently and sneakily ... and horse thinks "sabre-toothed tiger", just off its shoulder.

Predictable.

Anything you can do to disabuse the horse of such an absurd notion - go for it! Slowing, speaking (at whatever length necessary), bell, whatever.

And hang back! A spooked horse ain't no fun!

 

[guitarpete247]

A tinkle on the bell from far enough back to let the riders and horse be aware that there's something/someone behind and a very wide slow overtake. Coming towards them slow down and take it steady wave to rider as nthey will surely wave to thank you.
As there are quite a few horses around here I have found that drivers are quite considerate of both horse and bike riders.

 

[rdfcyclist]

Quick question; what about a horse without a rider? I assume it's the same process of making sure the horse knows you are there (probably verbally) then passing slowly. I cycle on a path next to some horses that aren't fenced at all and I've always passed them on the cycle path without saying a thing.

 

[Mrs M]

Softly alert the horse and rider to your presence, then when safe, pass wide and slow

 

[mjr]

Pass slow, wide and under load in the quietest gear I've got (no clicking freewheel ratchet or gear pawls!). If flying a flag, pull it in. Very rare to meet a bad horse rider: one in 30+ years AFAICR.