Consideration for horses on the road
I WOULD like to draw attention to an incident which occurred on Ducks Hill on Tuesday, November 4.
A friend was riding her horse which was startled, resulting in a collision with a car which was passing too closely. Thankfully, on this occasion, no one was seriously injured.
This and similar experiences of riders I know have prompted me to write this letter, to raise awareness and hopefully educate road users – drivers, riders and cyclists.
We have little choice but to ride on the road to access areas we are permitted to ride in, such as Ruislip Woods. We have endured people driving too close, too fast, overtaking when not safe to do so, shouting abuse and making rude gestures.
The object of this letter is not to target anyone specific but to raise awareness of potential dangers and hazards people may not appreciate. Something as simple as a bird flying out of a tree, wind, sudden loud noises, car horns, rubbish at the roadside, lawn mowers or cyclists suddenly appearing beside you, can all startle a horse.
Although we are always courteous to drivers, wear high-visibility clothing, ride single file where possible and thank them for slowing down, we appreciate that others may not do the same.
Riders sometimes feel the need to ride two abreast when the horse is either young and nervous or inexperienced on the road.
Although most local residents are understanding of our plight, a small minority do not show the same consideration. We believe the key to resolving these issues is creating awareness and educating the public, hopefully before a serious accident occurs.
The British Horse Society has a fantastic information leaflet on its website – www.bhs.org.uk – called ‘Look at it from my point of view’. wrapping gifts for shoppers in the intu Uxbridge mall on Friday, December 5.
Professor Wolff, president of business charity the Hillingdon Partnership Trust for most of the charity’s 34 years, said: “Thanks to the generosity of shoppers and matched funding from locally based businesses, some £500 was raised for local needs during the day.” @7Honeyb: #christmascakes now on sale #honeybeescakes #ruislip #cakeshop #festivecakes #festivetreat… http://instagram. com/p/wqTubWsnd1/ @RogerSMetcalfe: Just too late at Ruislip Gardens, doors close... Doors open for me! Thank you Driver @centralline @neico66: Disappointed that @HarrisAndHoole Ruislip and Pinner now closed! Is this the end for H&H and my beloved caramel cappuccino? @sophiawest_: told some tourist last night there was a show called the only way is ruislip and he believed us that we were celebrities @kolaqube: The Toast wedding scene was filmed in Ruislip OF ALL PLACES, have that lovely factoid. @SifuBoggie: On the ice again at Uxbridge ice rink! been a while… feels like home… :-) @rkmorr: Do I battle the Uxbridge crowds and lay the Christmas shopping to rest or do I lay myself to rest in bed for the rest of the day @MPSHillingdon: #ChristmasTreeProject Fantastic moment – opening presents yesterday donated by YOU the Hillingdon Community&businesses @Hill_libraries: Northwood Hills Library even have an Olaf snowman as part of their decorations! Check out a Christmas book today! ^L