Passing horses

[Guest]

One for the advanced riders and trainers amongst you...

In a car, the correct way to pass a horse is to approach slowly, in a high gear to keep revs down and noise levels as low as possible.

What's the accepted, correct combination of engine revs, gear and throttle to pass a horse safely on a bike?

[Guest]

I just keep at a slightly lower speed than normal, but not really slow, and just clutch in to roll past them.

Don't let your exhaust backfire around them, it shits 'em right up! lol.

[Commanda]

Same as in a car. Low revs, reasonable speed, wide berth.

[Stu]

i take a wide berth keep speed low and have been known to cut the engine as mines a tad loud been a V twin with open race pipes!!

[mojobanana]

Same as others really, wide berth, slow down and pull the clutch in as you roll past. If the horse/rider starts to look very nervous or jumpy then it might be an idea to pull over if it's safe and cut the engine, especially if you've got a loud exhaust.

[Guest]

i've generally just come off the throttle, snicked up a gear or two, and given a wide berth.. obv with mirrors and signals..

then snick back down a gear once passed, and continue. with hand signals to oncoming motorists to slow..

[techno]

Most of time roll past, tbh hate horses on the road especially when they think its ok to ride 2 abreast!

[Guest]

slowly approach the horses with as little throttle as possible. Make eye contact with the rider and when they give you the thumbs up give em a nod. Then knock it down a couple of gears and let it rip. Horses should be in fields or dog food factorys not on the roads. Sod em

[techno]

Horses should be in fields or dog food factorys

 

lol cant argue with that..!!

[bigsisterbiker]

i take a wide berth keep speed low and have been known to cut the engine as mines a tad loud been a V twin with open race pipes!!

 

a tad???

i slow right down, give as much room as possible, throttle on slowly, hand signals to oncoming vehicles. and acknowledge the rider if they wave or nod

i don't clutch in as then there's a constant noise, nothing harsh to startle the animal if i slip on the throttle when accelerating

i don't mind horses or anyone/thing else on the road if they're behaving reasonably. otherwise i swear

[duane69]

I came across two horses today and one of them was acting up as I came towards it so I had to pull over to let them get out of the way and not one of them waved to say thank you maybe next time I'll just say f*ck it and blast passed them.

[Aaron]

We passed some horses today. They seemed very grateful. I mean the people riding/walking them. Not the horses.

[Guest]

kill switch, big back fire, start engine roll on

infact i just slow down and keep me distance.

[kate1]

Most of time roll past, tbh hate horses on the road especially when they think its ok to ride 2 abreast!

 

They ride two abreast because the horse on the inside is inexperienced, they don't do it solely to annoy other road users.

I used to ride and i hated going on the road because i always had nervous or unpredictable horses but because local councils have slowly got rid of bridleways (probably to save money) there are fewer and fewer places to ride so more riders are forced to take to the roads.

A girl i knew lost a horse and a leg because of someones intolerant attitude and i'd hate to think that there are people with that kind of attitude on here.

[Horseynat30101]

same as above!

i ride horses and i ride a young inexperienced horse who is very spooky, and the pace at which some road users pass us i unbelievable! i was once took off with as a stupid car with a bunch of hillbilly, inbred chavs decided it would be a great idea to speed past bleeping their horn! not a momant i would like to relive as i realy did think oh sh*t this is the end.

one motorbike (a crosser, probaly anouther d*ck chav as he had trackies on) aslo sped past and had NO exhaust so you could imagion the noise! the horse i ride isnt used to motorbikes yet so was already sh*tting himself but the no exhaust! he went mental!

so thanks to all you biker/car driver ect for driving nice and slow and passing wide much appreciated trust me

[Jimmi_929RR]

slowly approach the horses with as little throttle as possible. Make eye contact with the rider and when they give you the thumbs up give em a nod. Then knock it down a couple of gears and let it rip. Horses should be in fields or dog food factorys not on the roads. Sod em

 

I always slow right down and move over as far as possible.

But horses really annoy me if i'm being honest. They don't pay road tax, they're a danger to themselves and other road users, they drop sh*t all over the road (especially the lines i seem to take through turns) and their riders wear seductively tight trousers and carry whips (causing unnecessary distraction).

As i say, regardless of my views, i always give them space and go slow etc (don't want to see anyone get hurt) but inside my helmet i'm cursing.