I am sure some followers will have seen this, but here it is for any who haven't  

 

"smeg" LOL 

 

Saw this a few days ago.

 

It's like an R1 did make me chuckle

He is spot on about horses on the road to my mind.  Mind you just as bad is when they decide to take their horse for a drive round in the horsebox and they are usually on the phone.

Horses might be a pain, but do motorbikes really need to be ear splittingly loud causing distress to all other road users? Personally I neither like nor dislike either.

Having been a horse rider, bike rider, motorbike rider and a car/van driver, I have to say I think horses are the worst of all road users.

 

Horse on horse -> potential for blind panic from horse(s)

Horse on bike -> potential for blind panic from horse

Horse on motorbike -> potential for blind panic from horse

Horse on car/van -> potential for blind panic from horse

 

At least with humans you get a predictable type of stupid. I'm not just bitter having been kicked by, bitten by and thrown off horses :p

 

And horse riders tend to be the most entitled self centered people too (even more so than MAMILs).

Horses might be a pain, but do motorbikes really need to be ear splittingly loud causing distress to all other road users? Personally I neither like nor dislike either.

No they don't.  Many of them aren't and are ridden responsibly when a horse and rider is nearby.  Certainly in my case and with the group that I ride with but the amount of horse riders who will actually acknowledge this is very few and far between.  Horses are dangerous animals because they are so unpredictable and are very easily spooked.  Why would you take such an animal on the road?  Baffles me.

Not sure what a MAMIL is but I did pass a very nervous horse the other day it was actually quite scary. What I didnt understand is there were big entrances and fields that they could have gone in to let all the traffic pass...

MAMIL = Middle Aged Man In Lycra

No they don't. Many of them aren't and are ridden responsibly when a horse and rider is nearby. Certainly in my case and with the group that I ride with but the amount of horse riders who will actually acknowledge this is very few and far between. Horses are dangerous animals because they are so unpredictable and are very easily spooked. Why would you take such an animal on the road? Baffles me.

This sums up my thoughts. Plus ****ting everywhere.

This sums up my thoughts. Plus ****ting everywhere.

Well apparently you can put it on your rhubarb but I prefer custard.

This is such a hot topic with our next door neighbour & our local Police force (who don't give a t0ss even when a horse rider gets hurt).

 

He rides an Aprillia 1000cc v-twin noisy thing (you can feel the air/floor vibrate in our bungalow when he starts it up and revs it) & rides around at stupid speeds with his mates, as we live so close to the Peak District you can normally hear him (and others) riding over 1mile away they head up Woodhead Pass towards Glossop or ride a speed around the country roads. It's not just him though, we get all the weekend warriors on their motorbikes too, coming out to the countryside, disturbing our peace with these god forsaken bikes. 

 

Our village has a 40mph speed limit leading to a NSL, we have had a road traffic survey done earlier this year & it found over 80% of motorcyclists exceed 60mph through the village, you then hear them accelerate as they leave!

 

My wife/children & I all ride horses, there are plenty of places we can ride off road but we need to use the roads to get there. It gets that bad during the nicer months that we now only ride before 8am on a weekend otherwise its just not safe enough with the noise and speed of most the motorbikes on the road.

 

Our horses don't mind the noise too much but its the speed at which the motorbikes pass that spooks them. 

 

If only everyone on the road were more considerate towards other road users, then there wouldn't be any problems.

 

(I haven't watched the video, at work at the moment)

On the plus side. Those arillia RSV 1000's sound mega dont they.

On the plus side. Those arillia RSV 1000's sound mega dont they.

no.

 

not when I'm working nights and the tw4t sits revving it & I'm trying to sleep.

 

when I'm not shattered or trying to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of living in the countryside, yes, it does sound quite nice

 

edit... I have to admit, the noise is one reason why I'm looking at getting a v-strom

Having been a horse rider, bike rider, motorbike rider and a car/van driver, I have to say I think horses are the worst of all road users.

 

Horse on horse -> potential for blind panic from horse(s)

Horse on bike -> potential for blind panic from horse

Horse on motorbike -> potential for blind panic from horse

Horse on car/van -> potential for blind panic from horse

Horse on road surface change  -> potential for blind panic from horse

 

At least with humans you get a predictable type of stupid. I'm not just bitter having been kicked by, bitten by and thrown off horses :p

 

And horse riders tend to be the most entitled self centered people too (even more so than MAMILs).

Edit inline, underscore.

 

Not trolling; I used to know one horseist who said that they rode a horse that would panic if the road surface colour changed, and sometimes even if there was a joint in the tarmac.

I am sure some followers will have seen this, but here it is for any who haven't

"smeg" LOL

Aha. What a genius.

So many good points in it, so much truth.

We get loads of em around here, and they are so arrogant. most of em never say thanks.

A few tasty girls on em though. I must say.

I posted the video mainly for the entertainment factor of the baron. I am not in full agreement with all he says in this ref horses, but the fact remains when a horse is used on a road, it is a vehicle (of sorts) of which no one can be in complete, full, unimpaired control. In todays H&S world, it's quite a thing to think about in that light. I personally do not think that children should be allowed to ride on roads below 16 and not unaccompanied by an adult below 18. There is too much responsibility as a road user for someone to be riding. I would also like a requirement for insurance and a fixed penalty system to hit the riders driving licences (as road users) for those who leave poo on the road (massive hazard to bikers especially). 

 

Loads of horsey people around here I see them more or less daily on the roads and all appear to have mastered their animals well with what I would describe as being in control of them. This doesn't remove the unpredictability of the animal, nor does it account for strangers on horses I might encounter. We have / had horses from all over the world here for international equestrian events and I have never had any bother with them on the roads as generally the people I encounter are professionals (ridding schools, stables etc). If I venture further afield, it's just mayhem with people who appear to be just along for the ride and not in control. 

 

There is 1 road I go down that's bearly wide enough for a car and I regularly come across (not in the smeg sense) horses on it. If I am behind one, it will be for a good couple of miles nowhere for horse to go but on up the road bahhhhh In this instance I remain almost out of sight behind it.  

 

I am horse friendly though and a loud ish bike is not an issue as long as it's ridden with manors and respect. Horse doesn't get as surprised if it hears it approaching for longer. Manure on the roads though...... Totally unacceptable and absolutely nothing is done about it here, same with cattle crossing the roads etc, it's like a swamp on some roads on those sections :(

 

I posted the video mainly for the entertainment factor of the baron. I am not in full agreement with all he says in this ref horses, but the fact remains when a horse is used on a road, it is a vehicle (of sorts) of which no one can be in complete, full, unimpaired control. In todays H&S world, it's quite a thing to think about in that light. I personally do not think that children should be allowed to ride on roads below 16 and not unaccompanied by an adult below 18. There is too much responsibility as a road user for someone to be riding. I would also like a requirement for insurance and a fixed penalty system to hit the riders driving licences (as road users) for those who leave poo on the road (massive hazard to bikers especially). 

 

Loads of horsey people around here I see them more or less daily on the roads and all appear to have mastered their animals well with what I would describe as being in control of them. This doesn't remove the unpredictability of the animal, nor does it account for strangers on horses I might encounter. We have / had horses from all over the world here for international equestrian events and I have never had any bother with them on the roads as generally the people I encounter are professionals (ridding schools, stables etc). If I venture further afield, it's just mayhem with people who appear to be just along for the ride and not in control. 

 

There is 1 road I go down that's bearly wide enough for a car and I regularly come across (not in the smeg sense) horses on it. If I am behind one, it will be for a good couple of miles nowhere for horse to go but on up the road bahhhhh In this instance I remain almost out of sight behind it.  

 

I am horse friendly though and a loud ish bike is not an issue as long as it's ridden with manors and respect. Horse doesn't get as surprised if it hears it approaching for longer. Manure on the roads though...... Totally unacceptable and absolutely nothing is done about it here, same with cattle crossing the roads etc, it's like a swamp on some roads on those sections :(

 

I agree. The problem starts when you don't expect them. Biker ended up in hospital due to car passing horse on blind bend. Horses belong in a field!!! They should be allowed to cross farmers field to get to where they are going. Wife and daughter ride them. They have to go down a rd to get to a ride able field, yet its linked with open fields.

The bloody horse bit me last week, because it didn't want to go back in field. You spend ages getting them ready. I put my helmet on, turn key and go...when on my bike. They are scared animals and shoudnt go anywhere near cars or bikes. We have enough fields and bridle paths

Will post some pics tonight when home to illustrate my displeasure at cap left on roads.

Will post some pics tonight when home to illustrate my displeasure at cap left on roads.

Its so dangerous for bikers

Its so dangerous for bikers

Bloody camera on front of car didn't record anything all day it seems! First drama with it in 2 years bahhhhhh. Rear is all I have, but you get the idea. This is an A road and one of our 2 arterial A roads (equivalent of a motorway in GB). In a terrible position for a biker this one middle of a LONG sweeping left hander. 

 

loads of grass at side of road. Why go in middle of rd

loads of grass at side of road. Why go in middle of rd

Depends what youre looking to see.

loads of grass at side of road. Why go in middle of rd

 

Will have been a horse drawn carrige with 4-6 big shire beasts at front. 

 

Like this only bigger horses and more of them. (pic also today same road)

 

I'm a biker and a previous horse rider for years. In all honesty I can see both sides of the situation to a degree.

 

I think that the majority of horse riders are as sensible, courteous and well seen as they can be. Most people with a horse don't ride down main roads unless they have to - they usually stick to back lanes as much as possible and a lot tend to wear some form of hi-vis. They are typically very mindful of other road users as they don't particularly fancy the idea of a car coming round the corner and hitting them. Most are usually very polite and respect the fact that you have had to slow down and make a slow pass because of them.

Many times I have been on a horse and there is a blatant disregard for safety displayed from road users. Some of whom will bomb it past you out of frustration of not being able to pass immediately. Many a time I've muttered things to myself and had close calls and a mega spooked horse just because of the speed and proximity to which I was passed. As a 'safe' biker, if you're coming round a country lane and do not have the ability to stop if you see a horse, then you really should be asking yourself if your speed was appropriate. The same goes for drivers of all vehicles.

 

Now on the other hand, there are some seriously snooty riders out there though that deem that the road is theirs because they are on a living animal. I've been in a loud modified car and passed them extremely slowly and quietly in the past, to be met with obvious abuse from the rider witnessed in my mirrors. On one occasion I stopped the car and had some words with them. Suffice to say they were quite surprised to find a young lad getting out of a modified hot hatchback who was actually a horse rider also.

There are also some silly riders who have little or no common sense whilst out hacking on the public highways and lanes. They can do the craziest and most unlogical things. So yes I agree with one of the above comments to a degree and think that some sort of competency or basic skills test should be completed before being allowed on the road.

I've also seen riders that are not confident enough or do not have the ability to sort out a stroppy, unnecessarily spooky or challenging horse. They simply should not be on them if they cannot handle them. Personally I loved a stroppy horse and used to have some serious fun with my old Arabian horse!

 

With regards to horse droppings on the road, it bemuses me really, as what do people actually expect you to do about it?!

 

Ultimately, horse riding is part of the history of the country, so it needs to be kept alive. As with everything, it only takes a minority acting in an unscrupulous manner for the majority to be frowned upon - both horse riders AND motorcyclists...

With regards to horse droppings on the road, it bemuses me really, as what do people actually expect you to do about it?!

Simple answer really, as also given by the British Horse Society, 'Stop, dismount, clear it up'. I regard that as the only civilised thing for a human with their captive animal to do and their responsibility to all other road users. I don't care how awkward or how much of a pain it may be. It's a threat to life especially that of a biker. Some riders here have a sack hung on back of horse to catch it, if they have enough about them to do that, everyone else should too. If you walk a dog and it does the same, but to a fraction of the same extent, it's accepted that if you don't clear it up you can easily be prosecuted, yet horse riders go unpunished for the same (I am aware of the toxicity differences between the two), but I personally don't like cars on the roads showering me in horse s#it when I am on the bike and they have to drive through a mound of it. It will never pass as hygienically acceptable to me. I have ridden horses (not my thing but a good few members of my family stable horses) and if ridding on roads, I would see it as crazy to never look back and as such repute the common line riders give as to not knowing it's happened (some riders use a sleeve mirror to gain better rear awareness, mainly seen with ridding schools here). The speed travelled at to get out of sight without having looked behind is no excuse. I find the whole thing just utter bad manors and have nothing but disgust and contempt for those riders responsible.