KEEPING HORSE RIDERS ALIVE ON THE ROADS

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33815, 11 April 1975, Page 4

KEEPING HORSE RIDERS ALIVE ON THE ROADS

Horses and horsepower do not always mix — and when they clash, it is usually the fault of thou'jhtless, careless, or even reckless drivers.

There are also cases where parents unwisely let young children take horses on to busy roads, or when riders themselves behave carelessly or even arrogantly. But for every

such instance, there are dozens in which motorists are to blame.

Most motorists take extra care when approaching a horse, there are others who fee! that horses should not be let out on to the roads at ail. This attitude is demonstrated in their behaviour — a

marked reluctance to slow down or make any concessions for the animals.

Horse riders do not use roads from choice, but rather because they have no alternative. This’ means that horses have to become accustomed to traffic — and training a young horse in road-sense is a traumatic business.

Motorists have all the advantages: they are unlikely to suffer harm through contact between their cars and horses, but both horses and. their riders may undergo serious injuries.

It is for this reason that motorists should bear the brunt of responsibility, although obviously riders who venture on the roads cannot afford to be irresponsible.

No horse can be considered totally reliable in traffic. Horses are really only semi-domesticated animals, still governed to a large extent by their instincts. When faced with what appears to be a threat their normal instinct is to flee. If restrained from doing so. their next reaction is to turn their backs on the threat and lash out with their heels. These are instincts that must be kept under control, and with y o u n g . inexperienced horses this is' a very demanding task. Horses can be frightened by- many- objects and events, and they vary as much as people in their re-

actions. A sudden loud noise, a bird emerging from a hedge to fly across she road, anything unexpected, can startle highly-strung and nervous animals. If cars are flashing past, theve is no room for emergency action. What can motorists do in such circumstances? Firstly, they should remember that their machines, unlike the horses, almost always respond immediately to the turning of the wheel or pressure on the brakes. Safety-conscious motorists slow as they approach a horse either from, the rear or head-on. If the horse has to pass on a narrow road they may even stop their cars and switch off. Such courtesy is much appreciated by riders, who are generally quick to acknowlege it. If they do not show any gratitude however, do not lake offence: they are probably using all

their concentration to control their horses. If motorists do stop to allow horses past, it is best for them not to restart until the animals are some distance away, out of the range of sudden engine noises. Riders can help drivers too. Those with horses that are as "traffic proof" as they ever will be, may indicate to motorists that it is safe form t.hem to overtake. Those with nervous, inexperienced horses on the other hand, can try to flag a driver down. Obviously, such directions are advisory rather than commanding, but it pays for motorists to heed them. Even if the leading motorists could flash by a horse in safety, the drivers following may have to suffer the consequences. One young rider narrowly escaped injury when

her warning was ignored by a van driver, who was approaching far too fast. Instead of slowing, rhe driver accelerated. The horse became frightened and whipped round, almost unseating his rider and narrowly missing the van. The situation was made worse when the van driver leaned out of the window and shouted abuse. Incidents like these make horses traffic-shy or retard their training in traffic bv destroying their confidence. Horns and dogs can also cause complications. Sudden loud blasts on horns are enough to panic many horses, and dogs which bark from car windows can also frighten them. All these point to the same moral: motorists have trustier steeds than horse riders, and by exercising consideration they can help increase traffic safety.