Passing horses

[Mark pallister]

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.

Me too ,I go as far as I’d humanly and safely possible from the creatures
I was once knocked into a ditch by a out of control one that got spooked by squealing brakes off a bike coming up behind it
woman just sat on the horse and looked at me ,
no apology,she blamed the cyclist slowing down behind her
stuck up old bag 😂

 

[MontyVeda]

Are you referring to a different post? Where does "shout" come in. I say call and keep talking if you come from behind.

call, shout, holler, whatever... I don't do it and it doesn't cause any issues

 

[figbat]

Another thing that I used to do, and others the same, is when on a horse I would make hand signals to other road users to help them out. Most took this is in the spirt it was offered - ie extra information for them to include in their decision-making - but a minority took offence at me apparently issuing commands from my high horse and would react negatively.

Signals would be such as a wave to indicate they could pass, or a hand up to indicate they should not pass. From where I was sitting I could see up the road, over hedges, around corners etc. Or sometimes people would take a very cautious approach and I could reassure them that it was OK to pass. I would not expect people to blindly follow my advice nor would I get the hump if they ignored me - in the same situation I might do the same if I could not be sure of the outcome and could not rely on the advice of a stranger.

 

[KnittyNorah]

I once passed a trotting buffalo on my motorcycle. As we drew abreast I began to regret my poor decision, as you might imagine.

Luckily the buffalo was as cool with us as it was with the car in front, whose driver I sure wished would quit dallying.

I decided then that next time I'll wait until the buffalo are done using the road. If I'm lucky enough to have a next time!

A buffalo as in the domesticated sort which can pull a plough and give milk, a buffalo as in the violent sort ie Cape Buffalo - or a buffalo as in the American Bison? I wouldn't fancy coming up alongside either of the last two, but have often met the first without any issue whatsoever!

 

[lazybloke]

I met a chap riding a horse on a bridleway last year. I pulled over off the path and he stopped for a chat. He said he'd just taken his horse "to see the pigs".

I thought I'd fallen into a children's story. "Hello horse" said the pigs. "Hello pigs" said the horse "it's nice to see you".

It turned out that the horse was afraid of pigs, so he was letting the horse see them, little by little, in order to get used to them.

I'd have to take strong drugs to have a life that weird. Or that fantastic.

 

[KnittyNorah]

I met a chap riding a horse on a bridleway last year. I pulled over off the path and he stopped for a chat. He said he'd just taken his horse "to see the pigs".

I thought I'd fallen into a children's story. "Hello horse" said the pigs. "Hello pigs" said the horse "it's nice to see you".

It turned out that the horse was afraid of pigs, so he was letting the horse see them, little by little, in order to get used to them.

Sensible fellow. Animals do sometimes seem to communicate like that, though!

 

[Fredo76]

A buffalo as in the domesticated sort which can pull a plough and give milk, a buffalo as in the violent sort ie Cape Buffalo - or a buffalo as in the American Bison? I wouldn't fancy coming up alongside either of the last two, but have often met the first without any issue whatsoever!

American Bison. This was in Yellowstone National Park.

Recommended, btw!

 

[HLaB]

I won't take that as an admission of selfishness, but the phrasing did make me a little sad.

Obviously it's vital that cyclists have a sense of self-preservation before venturing out on the roads.
But there's plenty of room for courtesy and consideration to others. Make the world a better place!

There's definitely room for courtesy 👍

 

[PK99]

Don't eat them in the first place!

 

[MontyVeda]

Don't eat them in the first place!

but the label just said 'crispy pancake'

 

[lazybloke]

it's correctly labelled in France!

 

[HLaB]

Don't eat them in the first place!

Have you been shopping at tesco's again

 

[icowden]

Also worth saying that I have been advised a number of times that it's better not to freewheel when going past a horse, but to cycle the pedals so that you don't get the clicking sound - apparently many horses really don't like the clicking.

 

[bladesman73]

Also worth saying that I have been advised a number of times that it's better not to freewheel when going past a horse, but to cycle the pedals so that you don't get the clicking sound - apparently many horses really don't like the clicking.

Spot on. I have always done that, especially needed for some wheels that sound like a swarm of bees! It isnt difficult as to what to do for the best when approaching horses, wide, slow and pedal. No need to shout to let them know you are there as that can upset the horse.

 

[lazybloke]

Spot on. I have always done that, especially needed for some wheels that sound like a swarm of bees! It isnt difficult as to what to do for the best when approaching horses, wide, slow and pedal. No need to shout to let them know you are there as that can upset the horse.

There's quite a difference between alerting a rider and shouting at a horse!