I had to post about something I saw Saturday, to get people's opinions to determine whether I am an alarmist, or realist.

I saw someone hacking on Roger Stevens Road, with her dog walking along.... yes... you are reading correctly ~ Roger Stevens Road ~ the major highway to Smiths Falls.

Now, this is one heavily travelled hwy, 80km speed limit (whoever drives the speed limit tho?), along with a hefty usage of transport trucks.

My sister (who is non-horsey) exclaimed in a very loud voice: "That is the stupidest thing I've ever seen!".... I heartily agree. My heart was in my throat, thinking...who could ever put their horse (and themselves, and drivers) in such a dangerous situation???

Then her horse noticed mine in the paddock (who were prancing about) and ofcourse, her mount starts to jog and crane his neck to get a better look at them....egads, I was having a heart attack for this girl.

Am I crazy to think this was wrong, wrong, wrong?????

This message has been edited. Last edited by: H13,

Busy roads are dangerous. I at one time had to bring my horse down a busy road to get to my lesson barn from my old barn. I would either hand walk her or if I rode I would ride in the deep ditches. Though, if a horse isn't road/traffic proof (without getting really excited over a simple thing like another horse or a car coming up behind them) I would never even try bringing them on a busy road. Some people don't respect horses on the road.

One time I was walking on the shoulder of the road with my mare and this smart 'butt' thought it would be funny to lay on the horn as a joke to see what would happen. Lucky my mare barely flinched but some people are just plain stupid and don't understand if that 1000 pound animal ever jumped out in front of them they would no doubt be killed. Then who'll be laughing?

I drive on that rode sometimes more than four times a day and I am never looking out for horses on a hack...it is a very high speed road and I would never hack a horse on it.

OM! That road is SOOO busy!! AND with the construction....

it'll be 15 years on nov 27th that i know someone who was out riding on a quiet dirt road and she was killed after her horse reared and she went through a vehicles windshield. I didn't know her well but i saw how her death affected so many people i cared about. It doesn't matter how bomb-proof, quiet your horse is. accidents happen even in the middle of nowhere. why increase that risk on a busy road with more hazards? Just remember, even if you're thinking about you and your horse, how do you think the person in the vehicle that might be involved in the accident would feel for the rest of their life if they hit and killed you? ride safe and live to ride another day.

It's funny...people in this country seem to feel that drivers rule the roads...in Holland people (including young children...)ride their bikes inches away from speeding cars without incident..that is their way of life and everyone just accepts it.

Personally, hacking is my zen. It keeps me happy, it's enviro - friendly, and quite frankly I live on a busier road that has a lot of cars. I know and accept the dangers, realize that as well as I understand my horse's body language they have brains the size of a walnut...and are somewhat unpredictable. That being said I've hacked down the road and all over God's green Earth since I was a kid and have no intentions on stopping doing so. If you're not comfortable on the roads then don't ride on them...

Roger Stevens, being a busy road, is stilla rural road..what if a deer jumps out? If you're driving around that uncautiously that you can't spot a person riding their horse and drive appropriately around them then stay off of the country roads.

I don't think the issue here is the people riding their horse on the road, I think it's the lack of education on most motorists part that makes it so scary.

Lets maybe not focus on getting riders off the roads, instead lets focus on making motorists more aware of such things.

Very well said Bean.

Although in the meantime, let's us be safe as regardless of who's at fault in an accident, chances are that you (the rider/horse) will be the one killed.

Roger Stevens Drive is not a rural road it is a commerical hwy route from Smiths Falls to the 416...everyone travels over the speed limit and there are a number tractor trailers that travel on it each day. It is difficult to slow down, pass or yeild for horseback riders on that hwy. I used to live on a rural road...and it was nothing like Roger Stevens Drive.

I'm live just 1 km off of Roger Stevens and know exactly where you're speaking of.

I'm pretty sure I know which farm in my area has riders hacking on Roger Stevens.

My concern is unlike a rural road as someone pointed out this is a heavy traffic road no matter what the hour.

When you start driving you're taught defensive driving - driving with an "out" in mind. Along that particular stretch of Roger Stevens the ditches are particularly deep and there isn't much of a shoulder.

Options for horse or car driver would be very limited especially with traffic in both directions.

Also, to add to the distractions is a water pump for one of the fields on one side. If it is going (gurgling away) you can imagine the distraction to horse/rider.

I have crossed Roger Stevens with Maple to drive him up the other 1/2 of 3rd Line Rd. Even then I've had cars honk, want to stop and chat etc. etc. and the speed limit on my road is now up to 80 Km.

The speed limit is 80 Km on Roger Stevens however as it is a major route to the 416 and Smiths Falls you'll be lucky to find someone doing the speed limit if not more.

As a rider/driver I personally would not take my horse/pony onto Roger Stevens. There are plenty of other less travelled routes to go in the area (e.g. Lockhead Rd.). As I say my personal opinion.

I'm with Bean - I rode in Belgium for four years, and riding in the city/on the roads was a regular occurrence. The horses were sensible and traffic-proof for the most part and those that weren't, stayed at the barn, period.

BUT - seeing horses was a much more common occurrence and drivers were definitely a bit more respectful (I say a bit because for the most part Belgian drivers are nuts and did 150-160 on the highways). But we crossed busy intersections, hacked along the side of the highway, you name it, we did it.

I have hacked my uber-green 3-yr old up Russell rd (the equivalent of Dunrobin rd to you west-enders), and she was FINE. Yes, we had tanker trucks, cement trucks, even a gang of 7-8 hell's angels typeso n their LOUD Harleys pass us, and the most she did was shiver a tiny bit and crane ner neck to look - that's it. She never felt tense, she never spooked, she never "jigged", and in fact, on the way back, I had her on a long, loose rein. Some horses are just sensible like that. If I thought she was a bit of a looney or very spooky and tense, I wouldn't do it.

I just took this same 3-yr old on the CEREC trail ride, and we had a blast. This mare has the most fantastic brain and loving, willing nature. She'll look, and she'll snort, but that's it.

Re: Rogers Stevens drive specifcally, I'm not familiar with that road, I guess it would have to be a judgement call, but no, I wouldn't avoid a busy road just because it's a busy road. The speed limit on Russell is 80 as well, and most people do 95-100. My mare actually snorts more at mailboxes and loud dogs on our quiet street than she did at the cars/trucks/motorcycles on Russell. She could care less about those.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ASB-Jumper,

I've re-read my original post, and should apologize for accusing riders, who decide to hack on a busier road, of being stupid (or of making a stupid decision). Everyone has the right to decide what they want to do in life.

I guess it was just the shock of seeing someone ride-on-by... the polite thing to have done would have been to run up my driveway to introduce myself and say hello.

My hubby had suggested that we hack down Rogers Stevens (maybe one km?) to my neighbors..... my eyes just popped out of my head.... I know I can be on the super-cautious side about everything... I've seen all sort of horse-related accidents, and don't want to fall victim myself.

Again, apologies to the braver hackers..... I also LOVE to saunter down (quieter) rural roads (I used to board at Phantom)...it's a great way to relax and unwind....but I'll stick with loading my horses on a trailer to get to quiet roads!

I don't think apologies are necessary I just think that we need to change the mentality of the motorists as opposed to those who enjoy hacking on the roads - be it busy roads or not.

Unfortunately drivers on that road will not slow down and therefore we need to take extra precautions. I would never hack my horse on that road simply knowing that the drivers will not slow down. I was going down march road near pakenham with my bf on the way to his house when there were hackers. I told him to slow down and he looked at me and said why? I had to explain to him and he then said i would never have known to slow down if you hadnt just told me what you did. Truth is, i would rather avoid busy roads and stay safe.

I'd love to see a world where we could hack safely and comfortably in harmony with motorists but i doubt it'll happen. trust me, you'd be surprised if you realized the amount of motorists vs. cyclist accidents you see everyday when thats a much more common mix, not to mention the impaired drivers on the road. and they're have been campaigns for years to raise awareness. even if you do raise motorist mentality we all know it takes a split second of in-attention on the drivers part or just a random bad decision or just drivers out there that plain dont care. personally (and again this is just my opinion) why put yourself in a situation that poses a bigger chance of getting hurt? either way, please. just be safe. I see enough people die and get seriously hurt every day from motor vehicle accidents out there.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: loveswhiskey,

I think you gotta know the horse and you gotta know the road.

I'm not a big hacker myself, but whenever we visit my family in England I go on many rides in the New Forest.

I agree that its different in Europe, For example, by the new forest riders are everywhere, and "wild" (owned, but free-roam) horses are everywhere. However, I would never dream of taking even the most bombproof horse through london.

Its just kind of a custom that here in Ontario we dont have. There may be places in Canada where its not so abnormal, but around here seeing horses on the road isn't normal, so people don't drive with that in mind

IMHO, If your 99% sure your horse can take it, go ahead, but be safe. Throw on some reflective gear and carry a phone. better yet go with someone.