The Cunning Plan...

I live in a small village in the beautiful Essex countryside. I can ride my 2 horses around all the farmland that surrounds me as I have exclusive access thanks to the very kind permission of the landowners, and not in a small part to my delicious apple crumble! bribery? maybe...

Henry: Holm Grove Gwygion

However in order to access this riding I do have to ride down our lane. it's a single track and in parts so narrow as to be passable only by one vehicle as passing points are few. The banks are high in places too, so there's nowhere to go if trouble comes our way. I have been riding around our village for years without a problem, tractors, steam engines, cars, lorries...you name it...we've coped. But a new phenomenon has happened to us: club cycling. these are large groups of lycra-clad intensley focused teams who think it's ok to speed past a horse, with nowhere to escape to, taking up the whole road, not giving us any room and hurling abuse if it's suggested they could slow down please....well they give way and slow down for no one - and this is very dangerous.

In order to achieve some sort of calm out on the roads, and make horseriding safe again, I am appealing to those involved to adhere to the codes of conduct written by Sustrans: the National Cycle Network, and the Highway Code, and common sense and courtesy to fellow man. It’s against the law to race on our roads, so let’s all slow down and be safe.

Tom: Holme Grove Constable

I have written to everyone I can think of: the story appears in the July issue of HORSE magazine, I have asked Sustrans to contact all the local clubs to remind them of their responsibility on the roads where meeting horses is concerned, my local council will be reviewing the need to put up some warning horseriding signs around our village, and I hope to get a joint article in a cycle magazine too to highlight the problems both sides have when we meet on the roads.

In order from the left: Moose, Tom and Amber (the horses).

A better understanding from both sides, with maybe some behaviour adjustment could help make our encounters a safer and friendlier experience.


Horseriders are nice people, and horses are incredible adaptable animals. They cope brilliantly with life considering they're built for flight in both mind and body. but, as anyone who keeps animals will tell you, they can react in surprising ways when scared for their lives: and this is what cyclists need to understand - for us riders, it isn’t a matter of 'control' but a matter of managing any adverse reaction our horse has to a scary situation in the best possible way. When horses are scared they need room to react, both physically and mentally, they position their bodies to great effect against the thing that scares them, in other words, they need room to move, that's why we ask that we are given lots of room, it's for everyone’s safety.

Please, please let’s all get along; let’s work at getting out a message of safety and responsibility. Hooves and wheels needn't be enemies; we can share our countryside, and enjoy our chosen activities without fear of meeting each other. please cyclists, slow down, give us room, and give us some warning your behind us too, call out a 'good morning' or use a bell, and we'll be courteous in response and thankful to be safe.


Thank you, Shelley