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Show Horse Talk By Linda Offret After several exciting experiences riding horses near traffic. I have come to the conclusion that an article on safety is needed. Safety for the drivers of vehicles as well as the safety of horse and rider. First of all. I know of no horse back rider that would prefer to ride on pavement rather than a trail. However, it is inevitable that riding on roads is sometimes the only way to get from one place to another. Morses are as unpredictable as the weather and for that reason I strongly suggest that people operating motorized vehicles do so in a wise and courteous manner. On the street where I live, my neighbors are very much aware of the business I am in. training horses and riders. When passing me they are very thoughtful. When possible they give me plenty of room, slow down and are ready to react if one of the trainers I am riding should "blow up" as they go by. Even the best of horses will act screwy for no apparent reason. A good rider will always be alert and ready to act if a dangerous situation is developing. However, sometimes there is no place to go except into the fence, ditch, or road. It also happens that when a horse spooks there are times when it takes a while to get the horse back into control. A horse can move ten feet just from internal momentum, no warning, no build up whatsoever. Most of the time I can feel this about to happen and I can check the horse or otherwise prepare for it. There are those few times, also, when it is a complete surprise to me and there isn't much I can do but ride it out and pray the path will be clear. I appreciate it immensely when people operating vehicles yield to me while I get things back in order. When riding on mountain roads, such as the Snake Creek area and Guardsman (here are many blind turns where neither driver or rider can see one another until they come upon each other. A rider can liear an approaching vehicle but they sure can't do anvthing about it. Yes, you try to be out of the way and give the vehicle the right of way. But you don't know how close to' the side of the road they are driving and the speed they are approaching you. The universal sign for slow down is ;he same sign a flagman on the highway uses to slow traffic and that is this: the hand moving up and down with the palm down, if you see a horseman do this, please respond by slowing down, and moving away a bit if it is possible. Actually, you should do this anyway, whether asked or not. Horses can do a lot of damage to a car or bike and often a horse will shy into (not way) the object. Both riders and drivers should do so defensively. Please remember that while I am referring basically to the horse and rider in this column that many a jogger has been struck by a car as it came around a blind turn. In Summit County this summer there was a horse back rider killed when the horse was struck by a vehicle. The horse had to be destroyed, also. Keep these things- in mind please as you operate your vehicles around horses and riders. Other things you should not do, I will mention briefly. Don't honk the horn or cause your car to backfire or otherwise revv the engine. Don't hang out the vehicle and yell or throw things at people on horses. - One more point I would like to mention is that it would be nice if people who own dogs that like to harass horses would control them and keep them from biting at the legs of the horses being ridden. Riding a trainer the first time out is exciting enough without any added attractions. |