Traveling by Horse In a World Dominated by the Automoblie

For a horsemen to travel on highways designed for automobiles, both horse and rider must trust one another. As motorists whiz by, Bill continues along at a crawl, watching for broken glass, holes, road kill, and anything else which may become a danger. When a problem becomes visible, Bill must decide which action to take. If there is road kill up ahead, he may decide to stop and wait for an open spot in the traffic so that he can cross over to the median. If a vehicle with a flapping bag passes, Bill must take action and kick Blackie up into a trot, so the horse doesn't have time to panic. Usually the most dangerous situation is the one you don't see coming. These are the situations where trust plays the biggest role. There's a decent amount of room in this scene, but on highways where the guardrail is closer to the pavement, there isn't any room for mistakes or second guesses.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• highway
• horse
• guardrail

[barebackrocks]

took me ages to build my horses trust when we got him because he had never been treated properly and was terrified of everything out of a ride. wouldnt even walk over a piece of baler twine on the track! but now he'll walk over bright blue water pipes whilst motorbieks are speeding past him and doesnt even bat an eye at huge white lorries speeding up behind him, sometimes beping horns :) once u have a horse's trust, the world is in the palm of ur hand.

[opmhorse]

Thanks for posting this video, we need more like it!

[opmhorse]

I have had beer bottles thrown at me, people backfire vehicles, trucks hit jake brakes or air horns, car alarms set off in parking lots, a truck door thrown open, people swerve and a jerk sit by where my horse was tied and rev his loud truck engine to the redline. Horses response in each of these instances? Mild disgust to completely ignoring the individuals and their antics. You can truly teach your horse to deal with anything, if he/she trusts you and you put in the time!

[opmhorse]

just doing what you are asking. I have posted some response videos to show you what I am talking about. You are dead on correct that the horse has to trust you, and if you put in the time, your horse can literally become accustomed to any sound or sudden motion. In my time riding along through towns and along highways, I have seen many, many situations arise. I now train every horse on my farm, and am working on videos for others, to not be alarmed by the things I have seen happen.

[opmhorse]

I ride ike this regularly, although I typically ride on the other side of the rail. A horse can learn to deal with anything that comes his/her way. You mention in the more info tab at the top right that the horse needs to be nudged up to a trot to avoid the sound of a flapping plastic bag. I would respectfuly disagree. I have literally seen horses become accustomed to running past an object or bolting at a sound that their rider regularly spurs them past. In the horses mind, they are

[nyzbii]

Thank you! My pony and I deal with this every single day! Traveled to and through over a dozen towns up to 50 miles in a day round trip. The worst roads are the narrow two lane side streets or main streets through towns, not the highways. At least here in Texas. I hate drivers! But some are very courteous. Been out and about for nearly 10 years. Still alive! My little pony is unflappable.

[sparklerocks]

its just a matter of time before this goes to hel

serious

don't risk yourself , your horse, nor drivers by riding a long a hwy

anything can spook a horse

and some people are so ignorant they honk

its just not wise

[sparklerocks]

my horse is an ex rodeo pick up horse

he also parked cars for the rodeo

adn he has been in many parades

he is 14 now

but no way in hel would ride that big boy along a hwy

and even on the gravel roads, when a car comes

i just assume they don't see us and i make him get in the ditch

no way HWY travel

[sparklerocks]

well, i ride all the time and i'm 48

and i would NEVER take my horse aLONG A HWY

no way

think about it

a stupid piece of rubber can fly off a semi tire slap your horse on the ass and he is in the middle of the hwy

and so are you

that is just not wise at all