Passing horses

[skudupnorth]

I’m on a couple of horse related sites mainly due to a horse mad child and this came up today which I thought might be useful for everyone.
I am sure we are all aware of close passes by motorists but our four hooved friends also have the same issue with some cyclists and it can cause the usual anti cycling comments from people who have obviously had bad experiences whilst horse riding.
It’s not meant to be a “ Them and us” thread, most riders understand we are in the same boat as vulnerable road users and most like the links to be closer as opposed to being separate groups

 

[Ming the Merciless]

To be honest I go much wider than that or sometimes stop unless a very good reason why not. There’s a significant risk of harm if a horse spooks and hits me as I pass.

 

[cougie uk]

You'd have to be a real moron to close pass a horse.

A cheery Good Morning is essential too. You don't want to surprise a horse.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

It sounds like it'd make your eyes water to say the least.

I tend to slow down, and even stop if they're coming toward me on a track, and I always give them plenty of room at other times.

They're flighty creatures by nature, and can be startled by the slightest things at times. I wouldn't want to think I was responsible to the stress on the horse, injury to the rider or other road users, never mind the potential risk to myself, all for the sake of a few seconds.

With a very few notable exceptions, I've always had a very positive and polite response from the riders.

 

[All uphill]

What's the safest way to alert horse and rider?

I call out and speak. Don't use my bell, but I have no idea if that is best practice.

 

[PeteXXX]

I usually give a ting on the bell when I'm a fair distance behind so the rider, and horse, can hear that I'm approaching. It's not noisy enough at that distance to spook the horse but just make them aware of me. Slowing down and a wide pass, too, obviously..

 

[byegad]

Riding a recumbent trike, I find that horses are really nervous around me. meeting a rider I stop, sit up and chat to the rider, But even then, sometimes dobbin really won't go past me. Then I leave it up to the rider to work out a solution.
Passing them from behind I toot my bulb horn from way back and, at the top of my voice (needed due to distance I'm still away) ask if I'm OK to pass. On the affirmative I use the entire width of the road, with my right wheel in the gutter to go past.
I'm no horse lover, and would rather they were off the road altogether, but they have a right to be there and 1/2 a tonne of horse in my lap would seriously ruin my day.

 

[skudupnorth]

What's the safest way to alert horse and rider?

I call out and speak. Don't use my bell, but I have no idea if that is best practice.

Giving plenty of verbal warning is perfect. Bells can scare horses along with flashing lights which I was kindly advised about during one of my rides.

 

[cougie uk]

I'm no horse lover, and would rather they were off the road altogether, but they have a right to be there and 1/2 a tonne of horse in my lap would seriously ruin my day.

I think they would prefer to be away from traffic too but like cyclists - you need to be on the roads to get to places.

 

[T4tomo]

yes I often go right to the opposite side of the road, shout "hello cycle approaching" or whatever from a decent distance, and put my hand over my light if flashing if approaching from the front (rear one is usually on steady mode as less annoying for people on your wheel).

as pointed out, only one winner in mad flighty horse vs bike.

 

[alex_cycles]

If there's a horse coming towards me I cover my flashing front light (some of them don't like it). The riders appreciate this.
If I'm passing a horse I will call out "bike coming" well before I get to them so both rider and horse know that someone is there. I will also pass as far away on the other side of the road as I possibly/safely can. (I also do this for pedestrians, runners and other cyclists - essentially "be as far away as safely possible"). It's not rocket science - it's enlightened self-interest.

 

[HarryTheDog]

As a ex horse rider myself I am very wary of horses as they can bolt at the silliest things . If I pass a horse I go as wide as possible other side of the road if I can. Coming the other way on narrow lanes I make sure the horse has seen me and if it looks skittish I stop.
I never owned a horse just hired or borrowed other peoples and some will get jumpy at the silliest things. I used to ride a horse that bolted if it saw a umbrella, my daughter rode a horse that would not step in puddles and another hated the sound of rubbing plastic ie a waterproof.
A year ago coming down a narrow lane a horse coming the other way danced all over the road turned and bolted. I caught them up 100 yds later and the lady was calming it by the side of the road, horse bolted cos I was on a bike apparently the horse hates them.
So sometimes a horse will get all silly and it is not really your fault at all, they are a flight not fight animal.

 

[MontyVeda]

So long as you pass them wide and slow.... there's little else you can do. You're not in control of the horse so don't beat yourself up if it starts freaking out. You tried your best

 

[skudupnorth]

Just passed on the positive thoughts to the Pass aside and Slow group. I knew we wouldn’t have issues with our lot and prices we are in it together

 

[Dogtrousers]

You'd have to be a real moron to close pass a horse.

A cheery Good Morning is essential too. You don't want to surprise a horse.

I take great care when passing horses - always let the rider know I'm there and verify that it's OK to pass.

But I am never, ever, "cheery".