A CONCERNED Evesham horse rider is calling on drivers and riders to be more respectful of each other to avoid incidents in the future.
Juliet Clarke, from Bretforton, has been riding and trading in horses for most of her life and regularly rides in and around country and village roads which can be a ‘bit hap hazard.’
Drivers are asked to drive wide and slow around horses to avoid spooking them to prevent any harm being caused to the animal, the rider and also drivers.
Juliet said: “In general they [drivers] are reasonable, most do acknowledge you if you slow down, foreign lorries and drivers are often more of a problem as they are happy to go very close to a horse.
“Personally if I see oncoming traffic and I think my horse may shy I wait in a gap until clear to proceed.
“The biggest problem is purely ignorance, they are seen as a nuisance without realising it is an animal with it’s own brain.
“A horse in all honesty may hinder your journey by probably seven seconds maximum by the time you have braked and passed wide and slow, for the fact it could keep the horse and rider safe and your car intact it shouldn’t be too much to ask.
“Likewise riders should be more courteous even a nod of the head if you can raise your hand, respect usually earns respect.”
