HORSE RIDING ON THE ROADS

RIDING ON THE ROADS

Nothing to worry about! How to be safe and keep your horse under control.

The trouble with riding on the roads is "rider anxiety". Under normal circumstances, horses have no fear of the roads or traffic. Roads are just a natural part of their environment.

Under normal circumstances, we have no fear of roads or traffic either. We exercise caution of course, but feel perfectly confident about walking along roads, crossing them and negotiating traffic in general.

Why is then, when we get onto a horse, we turn into a gibbering wreck?

Rider anxiety arises mainly from fear of what vehicles might do. They might come too close or run into us. Come on now folks! No driver wants to tangle with a horse. Most drivers will slam on the brakes for a rabbit. What are they going to do for a horse?

What do drivers do?
Most make a detour. Many slow down. If the road is big or wide enough, some don't, but this is their choice - and their prerogative. Only stupid drivers take risks and there is nothing we can do about them. Happily, the vast majority of drivers are careful. They care as much about what happens to their vehicles as we care about our horses.

What do horses do?
Without interference, horses also take responsibility for themselves. They treat a road like a track and position themselves where they are most comfortable. On small country lanes, this is often the middle of the road. Horses like space around them - as much as they can get.

If a vehicle comes along, without being asked, they instinctively move to the side of the road to allow the vehicle to pass. A horse knows as well as we do that a vehicle is not to be tangled with. If the vehicle is large and takes up most of the road, a horse will squeeze past it as best he can. In other words, the rider has to do nothing but let the horse take care of himself.

On larger roads, with a fairly constant stream of traffic, they stay to the side of the road to allow the traffic to pass. In fact, busy roads with a constant flow of traffic are often easier for a horse. They switch off to the traffic, become oblivious to it and plod along as if nothing is there.

Look at this pony. Isn't he priceless? Not a care in the world as traffic streams past in all directions. The reins are loose. He is not restrained or held in any way. The rider has perfect trust and confidence in the pony, and likewise, the pony has perfect trust and confidence in the rider.

Own the road!
Be confident on it. Don't worry about anything or anyone else. This is where you are right now. So be it!

Cyclists are advised to ride in the centre of their lane and/or the middle of a smaller road. The aim is to force vehicle drivers to pay attention to them and treat them with respect. I give horse-riders the same advice. The worst thing you can do is to hug the side of the road religiously. This is an open invitation for drivers to rush past carelessly.

In my experience, nothing slows a car down quicker than a horse in the middle of the road. Forget the furious arm-signals, or shouting at drivers. Let your horse be a natural obstruction. Even the fastest, most irresponsible driver will slam on the brakes.

This then, is how to ride on the roads and be safe. You treat riding on the roads like riding anywhere else, across the fields or countryside. That's all there is to it!

Own the road. Don't worry about anyone else. You have as much right to be there as anyone else.

Let drivers take care of themselves and make whatever decision suits them and the safety of their vehicles.

Trust your horse. Ride normally and let your horse take care of himself. His sense of self-preservation is every bit as strong as yours!.

Personally, I think of riding on the roads, be they large or small, quiet or busy as no different from riding anywhere else. I give my horse the freedom to be himself and get on with the job. I trust his judgement. I know that in taking care of himself, he will also look after me.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.