Horse sense

[nigel w]

As there were lots of horses out today,could someone tell me what is the best practise when approaching a horse.

i was under the impression that apart from slowing down, and giving the horse a wide berth that you should also continue to make some type of noise to make the horse aware of you.

Talking at the cafe, this perhaps is not the best option.

Nigel

[Ivor]

sounds about right. also don't freewheel, keep pedalling. not sure what other way there is to pass a horse???

[Amy]

Spot on - keep talking, no freewheel especially if you've got a noise freewheel, slow down and go wide.

Most important if you're coming up behind as the rider can't see what's coming up behind but the horse can, due to the positioning of its eyes on the side of the head. Most horses are used to cars but we can be a bit worrying so talking reassures it that we are humans (well theoretically...). Also talk if the horse appears nervous no matter which direction you approach it and be prepared to stop if necessary.

Now, if someone could tell that commissaire who keeps telling the riders at his races to stop talking as they come up behind a horse

[Marcus]

[quote="Ivor"]not sure what other way there is to pass a horse???

[Paul H]

Anything on the road should be road worthy.

Graeme Obree shows exactly what you should do on this clip. Go to about 4:45.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3DwhbUGUIg&feature=related[/url]

[Andrew G]

Riding three abreast they were lucky it wasn't a car coming over the brow of the hill.

I was always told the same Nigel, I try and let the horse rider(s) know that you are on your way with a call that bikes are coming through but not too loud or sudden. for example when in a group you may need to brake a bit more suddenly than normal but everyone in the group shouting "STOPPING" at the top of their voices will spook the horse more .

[Nick W]

Making carrot noises helps.

I must confess that on Saturday in the 19s the front of the group did not seem to slow (certainly not appreciably) when we came up to two horses on the little incline immediately past Partridge Lane. Nor do I know if we warned of our approach by doing the "keep talking" thing (I was near the back). Anyway, whatever the reason, the horses were spooked, those further down the group had to slow, which should, as a group, have happened in the first place, and the group split. I found myself apologising to the riders (horses?) in a purely agreeable kind of way because it did seem to me that we were at fault.

Obviously as per Lance's guide to winning the tour I should not have been that far back but, all the same, the group had held together well until that point and we "splitters" had to give chase to get back on the balance of the 19s. All round I'd say not really what should have happened on a tight ship.

Just a thought.