Etiquette when passing horses

If you're in a peleton you could go for the happy ending.

Hope freehubs are a danger to horseriders... you heard it here first.

I have to say I've often flirted with horsey chicks in the road, without even knowing it could save a life. I like the idea that telling the horserider that they have a good looking arse might pacify their spritely pony. Do you think the steed can tell if you're faking it?

I can't see where you did anything wrong. Slow down and pass them wide. Horses get spooked for a variety of reasons, something they see that moves quickly suddenly in their view or any manner of noises. I've not ridden for some years now, but one horse I rode had a thing about cats and get very jittery around them.

I regularly ride a mountain bike through Epping Forest and most encounters with horses are fine, but the odd occasion when it isn't is generally rider related; too much horse for their ability. Such riders are often seen riding in pairs with a general air of superiority over any other user and are a real pain.

I think it should be fair sport to joust against such riders with a tandem mountain bike, with the stoker in charge of the lance.

Similar to all above (joke posts aside),

I hope you didn't mean my post!

Surely everyone shouts things in the voice of an Uruk-Hai? Or The Kurgan from the 'Highlander' franchise? Don't tell me you never do.

Tip your hat and nod.

My mate Dave rides a recumbent and reckons you should aim straight between the legs at high speed and slap the horses cock on the way through.

You'd need to do this with care, as Newton's third law means the slapped appendage could come back at you with equal velocity and being whacked over the head by a horse's cock could smart.

do not google 2 men one horse

Since when a good morning/afternoon have been replaced by the buzzing of the Hope hubs?

Broken Britain.

Similar to all above (joke posts aside), but I also tend to keep pedalling even if on a geared bike. Someone told me something years ago about freewheel noises potentially freaking out dogs and horses. Perhaps the Hope hub in the OP was an issue for this horse.

That's what I've been told, too. Of course, when you ride your cool fixie, you don't have to worry about any of this. Another point for fixies! Fixies 37 - All other bikes 0.

As for the rest of etiquette, I just say 'cyclist coming through' at a normal volume--I've only ever encountered horse riders on narrow lanes where there most certainly wasn't any need to shout.

do not google 2 men one horse

immediately googles

And afterwards thinks that Obree's new bike may be a comfortable proposition.

immediately googles

Last time I rode a horse on the road lorry drivers would signal their displeasure at seeing me/the horse by blaring their horns as they sped past without giving me any extra room. My horse was fine, therefore the horse (and rider) Fox came across needs to HTFU.

Horse The Fuck Up?

I've been there. Quite a surreal experience having someone soberly explain the cultural and religious meanings behind an entire wall of porn.

Last time I rode a horse on the road lorry drivers would signal their displeasure at seeing me/the horse by blaring their horns as they sped past without giving me any extra room. My horse was fine, therefore the horse (and rider) Fox came across needs to HTFU.

This, a bit. doesn't sound like the OP did anything wrong. Some people like to be warned, sometimes any warning you shout will come accross as bossy. I slow down to about 10mph or less, and say 'I'm going to pass on your right', which means they know exactly where to expect me.

I call out "Bikes up" loud enough to be heard but not so loud as to startle, never had a problem yet :)

And they all look up into the trees, confused?

I find this product very effective...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfyC6NJqt2o

You can pass a horse and they barely notice you..

I saw a bloke with one on a BMX riding down commercial street.

Well bum.

Passing a horse might be jolly painful.

Passing a horse might be jolly painful.

Not if you ingest it at a sensible rate and leave the bones out.

Horse steak can be great. Can't really see any other use for them, apart from pulling a plough.

Cavalry charges would be a little dull without them.

Also we'd be missing out on a whole raft of posh sitting-down sports with which to demonstrate British truimph of superiority over others in the friendly nationalism of audacious olympian deeds.

Fig the one at the back with a string of smoked garlic, then double finger-guns them all making 'pew pew pew' noises cowboy style as you pass