I know this is the endurance list so I don't want to go too far off topic
BUT this all relates to our endurance *training*, right?? So, for those of
you that ride on the road, do you have problems with folks passing you AS
CLOSE AS THEY CAN regardless of the fact that there is NO oncoming traffic
and I am on the *shoulder* of the road - not the pavement???
I have actually had my leg bumped by an outside mirror before as I was
trotting on the edge of the road! The horse I rode before I lost my
insanity and got an Arab <VVBG> was a QH that was unflappable on the road.
I could actually move him over into the road to make people give me some
more room - NOT a recommended practice - but I was dealing with "repeat
offenders" who took great enjoyment out of watching horses rear, spin, and
slip on the road :-< They would then either have to stop or go into the
other lane to go around me as this horse was stable enough to handle
horn-honking, yelling, etc. Again, not something I would suggest except I
knew that I had to force these people to give me a little space (this was
on a backroad - I wasn't blocking traffic, by any means).
However, while my Arab is road broke he is *not* unflappable and I'm older
and wiser now, anyway!! Is there anything you can do to make drivers in
the community give you a little space? I've tried kind of putting my hand
out like "ease up and give me a little space" and sometimes that works,
sometimes doesn't....In my county there *is* a law on the books that
drivers are supposed to slow to 15MPH when passing riders on horseback -
however, having a law on the books and getting the local sherriff's deputy
who is probably RELATED to the driver in question to enforce it is the
difference between a dream world and reality :-<
=================
Could some of you that ride with dogs email me privately? I'm wondering if
you take an measures for the dog's protection/visibility on the trail...
Tina Hicks, hickst@puzzler.nichols.com
Andy (dal) 2/3 CD (I'm striking against holding dumbells - to join me call
1-800-NODBELL)
7 cats, one rotund QH *and* one dippy Arab, and one husband in Huntsville, AL