We have been contacted by a horse rider with a reminder that runners regularly come across horse riders, and whilst I’m sure this specific incident referred to below did not involve a DP’er it is important to remember to take particular care. She says:-
“However well-trained, horses are still prey animals and – when frightened – their instinct is to run. They are likely to be unsettled by people running up behind them, or towards them. If their rider asks you to stop or slow down, please do. I experienced a very unpleasant incident today, when two runners ignored our polite requests to walk past us, despite them having seen a horse bolt in alarm. They then did the same to a group of kids on horseback further down the road. This is the second time in a fortnight that I’ve been out on a ride when a runner has frightened horses. Drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists are – on the whole – well aware of the need to approach horses slowly and give them a wide berth, and we manage to share the road amicably. There doesn’t seem to be that same level of awareness amongst runners. Possibly it’s not something that runners heading out into the countryside are made aware of. Thank you for your co-operation.”