Guest Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Hey I know I already asked about overtaking yesterday but now I have another question... how fast can I overtake horses?In the highway code rule 215 it sais `Always pass wide and slowly.' but today I overtook some horses wide at about 10mph but it took ages and i was worried a car would come round the bend and collide with me, exactly how fast can I go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fast Eddie Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 On your test, I'm not sure but i usually go as wide as is safe, but i usually pull in the clutch and coast past to give the least possible noise. Speed wise it really depends on how much i can safely scrub off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weebl Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 You can go as fast as you want, but if you spook the horse and it hurts somebody or causes damage, you may have to justify that speed in court as conforming to 'slowly'If you were worried you could not be on the other side of the road that long without a car coming round the corner, then don't overtake till you can see far enough to be able to pass slowly.You don't have to get past everything going slower than you immediately, you can wait behind it until it is safe to pass.If you want figures, I am guessing I normally pass at about 10-15MPH (don't look at the speedo to judge it so it is a bit of a guess) I also slow down to about that if they are on the other side of the road coming towards me as well. I generally pull the clutch in to get the engine noise right down as well, but don't do that on your test as that is a fail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Oh OK, thanks. Next time I'll just stay behind them until there's a straight clear bit of road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iiisecondcreep Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Oh OK, thanks. Next time I'll just stay behind them until there's a straight clear bit of road If you do this stay quite far back especially if you have a noisey bike, horses are naturally nervous and if you are too close behind it may cause them to get worried or spook. Generally the rider will signal and let you know what they want you to do depending on how the horse will react (at least they should, however I have noticed recently the manners of horse riders has been going downhill, much like most other road users!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mealexme Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 but i usually pull in the clutch and coast past to give the least possible noise+1. or if its a narrow road (single track) and the horse is oncoming I will stop and let it past. I have also been known to turn off the engine, but if you do that, DO NOT rev it as you start it, and make sure they are a distance away so they dont get spooked by a sudden noise, and try not to rev too high when moving off. As for the test, horse riders around here are known to stop and go into the hedge as far as they feel comfortable to do so to let people past if they are not on a straight piece of road. You should wait for a bit of road where you can see far enough down the road to be able to overtake safely on the wrong side of the road, if you cant find a piece of road like that or dont know the roads and arent sure if the bends will ever end, then overtake straddling the white line in the middle of the road, that way you give as much room as possible to the horse without putting yourself in danger of any oncoming vehicles. But make sure you will have enough time to react if an oncoming car decides to cut the corner (ie dont do it on a hairpin bend, try and do it on a sweeping bend as you will have more of a view)aslong as you minimise the risk to you, the horse and any oncoming cars then you wont be marked down for anything on the test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remy Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Hey I know I already asked about overtaking yesterday but now I have another question... how fast can I overtake horses?In the highway code rule 215 it sais `Always pass wide and slowly.' but today I overtook some horses wide at about 10mph but it took ages and i was worried a car would come round the bend and collide with me, exactly how fast can I go? I wouldn't overtake horses near a bend, as you do have to give them room, keep in a low gear and go as slowly and quietly as you can. Even if the rider beckons you on but you can't see ahead, wait till you can (don't rely on them!). If as Alex says the road is never-ending bends, then you will have to wait for one that gives you good visibility.Most horses that are okay with cars are usually okay with motorbikes so long as you don't rev the throttle when passing! If a horse started to play up as you went to overtake it, then drop back again for your (and everyone else's) safety - horses can be unpredictable and do particularly stupid and dangerous things when frightened (been there, got the t-shirt ). But some drivers can be complete @holes - once a lorry went to overtake my horse who started spinning in the road - but the b****** didn't stop or slow down, he carried on going , I nearly ended up as a bumper ornament along with my horse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 On your test, I'm not sure but i usually go as wide as is safe, but i usually pull in the clutch and coast past to give the least possible noise. Speed wise it really depends on how much i can safely scrub off.Thats same as I do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest philgale Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 on your test just slow down a bit, don't need to drop to 5-10mph 20 in a 30 will be enough.once you have passed your test f**k them, if they are scared of traffic get it off the road thats my point of view. if the rider looks fit ill slow down to get a better look but thats it. Im not talking about buzzing them at 100mph but won't drop below the speed limit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remy Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 on your test just slow down a bit, don't need to drop to 5-10mph 20 in a 30 will be enough.once you have passed your test f**k them, if they are scared of traffic get it off the road thats my point of view. if the rider looks fit ill slow down to get a better look but thats it. Im not talking about buzzing them at 100mph but won't drop below the speed limit. Well that's a great attitude, believe me I would never go on roads if I could avoid it because of certain idiot drivers/riders - but sometimes it's the only way to get anywhere. So how would you feel ripping past a horse that you have scared, who then dumped it's rider in front of a car ... ?? Hope I never meet you on the road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bandit Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 simple answer reallyif it was a mounted police officer what speed would you go past then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Throttled Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 I came across a pack of hounds once, back when fox hunting was legal. I just stopped, turned off my engine and waited for them to pass. If I been going the other way there would have been no way to overtake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.