Let's think about safety on the roads while one is driving; for instance, if you are traveling down a road, say going the speed limit or under the speed limit, and come upon a group of very young kids who are playing catch or walking all over the place in the road. What do you do? As the person driving a vehicle you will of course want to slow down considerably. What is considerably, you say, most likely five to ten mph, basically, because you do not want to run into any of these kids. Things can be most unpredictable for sure. One never knows what will happen when kids are concerned.
The same is true with horses; here is what I am thinking. While driving anywhere and encountering horses and riders on the road, who will usually be on the side in single file (as most know the rules of the road), please have the courtesy and sense to slow way down as you would do for children or a mother with a baby stroller, giving them a wide berth as you pass. This means when the speed limit says 35 mph in a residential area and someone is going, say 25 mph, it may seem quite a bit slower, but when you are on a horse and he starts to act up and go sideways, 25 mph is fast to him. Giving him space, a wide berth as you go by will prevent an accident waiting to happen and be most appreciated by both horse and rider. It doesn't take too much time to go slow and be safe.
That's what I'm thinking.
Linda C. Gardner
Waitsfield
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