Spooking horses - urban legend?

[withm]

A couple of years ago I read about a horrific bike accident involving a horse and buggy in an Amish neighborhood. The cyclists suffered serious injuries - I'm thinking broken legs, hips etc. - and I think the occupants of the buggy were seriously injured as well. So no, I do not think this is urban legend. I would approach horses the same way I do dogs. With extreme caution.

[Irulan]

Not an urban legend at all. Whoever told you that is an idiot.

I don't know about road biking, but the trail ettiquette standards as advised for mountain biking by IMBA, is that horses always have the right of way. It is recommended to announce yourself, dismount, move off the trail and let the horse go by. OR, stop the bike and ask the rider what he wants you to do. Bikes never have the right of way, unless a horseback riders tells you to go ahead.

Depending on your community, and the nature of most horses ( ie, good stable trail horses or high-strung expensive pets) may factor in how you deal with it.

It's okay, keep riding!" I stayed on the bike and neither horse seemed to notice me. I'm wondering now if the whole spooking horses thing is just a myth or if the horses around here are just so used to seeing cyclists that they never bat an eyelash. Has anyone else had any unusual experiences when bikes and horses cross paths?

In this case the horse person knew that her horse was solid around things like cyclists, which is NOT always the case. I've seen horses shy from bicyclists who are standing, helmets in hand, because they were spooky and not accustomed to the site.

[arielmoon]

Every situation is different. Horses and riders have different levels of experience as cyclists do.

I have ridden horses with bikes going by and been on a bike in the presence of horses. Most horses under saddle may spook when they catch sight of you but most are not going to continue to misbehave if they are allowed to get a good look at you. I would never expect a cyclist to get off and walk even if my horse continued to misbehave. The best thing is to ask the rider and then for everyone to just continue on their way.

[MCAP]

Every horse is different and every situation is different.

One of my horses would not care if you ran into her with your bicycle. Another of my horses would flip out if he saw a bicycle (and has done that with me more than once because of a bicycle).

Horses are very large powerful animals. Some of them lose all sense of self preservation when they are scared and could injure themselves, their rider, or the cyclist. It is always best to assume that the horse is going to spook and approach with caution letting the rider know that you are coming.

[hebe]

I spooked a horse on foot last week. I could see it was a bit unsure, and stood to the side of the trail with dd. The rider then waved us on, at which point dd said "Look mummy, a donkey!" I think I would always err on the side of caution.

[JennK13]

Where marked everyone yields to horses here. I say "where marked". I grew up with horses, a rodeo queen, lived in a town where we didn't have sidewalks, but horse trails. I always responded based on how the horse I was riding would respond. I was taught to take responsibility for my horse, we worked with them to make sure they were safe to ride on the trails. While I do yield to horses when I happen upon them on marked trails, and I am considerate, riders need to take responsibility for their horses and train them appropriately. No disrespect to equestrians as I was one, but people, everyone no matter their recreation, need to be responsible and not put themselves in a situation that pushes their limits beyond what they're capable of - or their steed be it 2 wheeled or 4 legged.

[Owlie]

My local trail's rules say that everyone must yield to horses. I've only ever come across one once. DBF and I had been talking all the way. I slowed down, just in case. The rider heard us and stopped his horse on the side of the path. It wasn't a bit fazed by the funny wheeled things going by. I guess it depends on the horse.

[nikkoblu2]

As far as I know, the biggest issue is whether you are coming or going. Head on shouldn't be a problem at all. But, horses can only see between 10 and 2ish (assuming looking straight ahead is considered 12). Their peripheral vision is nearly non-existent.

Granted, they have good hearing, but quietly approaching from the rear could be a problem unless the rider knows you're coming so they can be prepared to soothe their horse and keep things under control.

[MCAP]

As far as I know, the biggest issue is whether you are coming or going. Head on shouldn't be a problem at all. But, horses can only see between 10 and 2ish (assuming looking straight ahead is considered 12). Their peripheral vision is nearly non-existent.

Granted, they have good hearing, but quietly approaching from the rear could be a problem unless the rider knows you're coming so they can be prepared to soothe their horse and keep things under control.

Actually, that's not correct. Horses can see almost everywhere EXCEPT for directly in front of them and directly behind them.

[Pedal Wench]

Someone once told me to treat horses like 1,500-lb rabbits. No idea what they'll do when you pass.

[tulip]

Actually, that's not correct. Horses can see almost everywhere EXCEPT for directly in front of them and directly behind them.

This is correct. Horses have excellent peripheral vision. They are prey animals, not hunters. Prey animals (horses, cows, goats, antelopes, parrots, zebras, etc.) have vision that allows them to see hunters coming at them from the sides and behind (although not from directly behind). Hunting animals (dogs, cats, eagles, etc) have strong central vision so that they can narrow in on their target.

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I agree that it depends on the horse. But since horses can be unpredictable, even when being ridden by competent riders, it's best to get off and walk, or even better, stand in front of your bike out of the horse's path and let it pass.

[ctdancer]

I own, and have owned several horses thru -out my life.

I ask bikers, or even people walking to say hello, say the horses name, and then the horse can recognize you as a non threatening human- not something to fear.
Yes, horses are unable to see directly in front, or behind them, and can be easily startled.

Many of my horses have had plenty of experiences and don't even glance at cyclists, deer, ATV's, etc... However, the best policy is to slow down, and ask the rider what the horse needs you to do in order to keep it from spooking, and causing injury- just common courtesy

[Ritamarie]

I have horses as well and the advice here is spot on. Verbalize so the horses recognize you as human, slow down or even stop until you see how the horse is going to react. My young horse Tat has seen plenty of bicycles and I have even "trail ridden" with my husband on his mountain bike. But a bike coming toward him quickly on the rail trail would most likely scare the crap out of him. It's on my to-do list to get him to the rail trail. Most horses on the rail trail are fine because they are used to bikes, but I guarantee the first time I take him will be very exciting and I hope that the bike riders don't make the assumption that he is used to bikes. With horses the first time doing anything new has the potential to be exciting!

Rita Marie