Orkney Image Library

Why shouldn't they? They don't take up any more room than a car and we all know to be careful with horses, anyway. I hope!!

I Sandy there's a few o them on the road at the moment.

and they never clear up the horse poop

Yes Sandy, Have you noticed how cyclists do the same thing?

What - poop in the road? Naughty cyclists!

Difficult one Sandy, I see where you're coming from but this is how children are taught to ride.

I am no expert but in my opinion these girls are doing it by the book. Two abreast to prevent overtaking traffic trying to squeeze past in the face of oncoming traffic and panicking a horse. Inexperienced horse to the inside, away from the traffic.

Apart from the parked cars and traffic, other hazards in the picture which might spook some horses are the kayak on the roof of the parked van and the trailer clattering along behind the overtaking car.

I know it can be frustrating being held up by slow moving horses or farm vehicles but a little patience and understanding and everyone is soon safely on their way. Horses can so easily spook at something in the ditch and wheel in front of traffic so please be careful around horses on the road.

What I think rude is riders not acknowledging drivers who show them consideration.

"Anonymous", look at the Highway Code, Section 53, Horse riders. It states, " and ride in single file on narrow and BUSY roads, and when riding round bends." This was a busy road at the time, and they kept riding two abreast as they turned into Nicolson Street.

[Of course the road would be far less narrow if only the drivers parked on the pavements... :-) Steven]

re - the comment about two horses not taking up more room than a car. Its not the room they take up its the difference on clearance that is required between passing a horse and a car. One can pass a stationary car giving it 12 inches clearance and no harm is - would not like to try giving a stationary horse 12 inches clearance! The horse may do more than flinch!

Thats no the point Steven, They are as bad on the main road where there are no cars parked. Spoot also made a good point, god for bid you forget to pick up dog poo but its fine for horse riders to leave pile's o crap all over the place. Same old same old, ONE rule for One and One rule for another.

In answer to "Anonymous comment" pay a road tax like we do and they can use as much of the road.

[I was pulling Sandy's leg in response to a campaign he is quite rightly waging on Facebook about pavement parking- Steven]

Difficult to define "busy road" as per Highway Code quote above, but I wouldn't use this picture as an illustration of it.

As a driver of over 50 years experience it is my judgement that at that time and place riding two abreast was not a good idea. Not one of my best photos either.

Any advance on 'over 50'? As a driver of well over 60 years' experience - and particularly as a horserider of zero years' experience - I'm saying nowt.

Well boys the way fuels goan up in price we will all be on horses and bikes soon there will be no cars! And you can guarantee the TAX MAN etc will get their claws into that one as well no speakan aboot the CO Emmissions. Wonder what the speed limit will be then.

The same thing happened on 19th August at 10:10 on the Old Finstown Road. Three young riders heading in the direction of the riding school. The rear two were riding two abreast in spite of oncoming traffic, and a bus and a car behind them. They finally went into single file when one of them turned round and spotted the tail back. For their own safety these young riders should be made aware of what the Highway Code says on the subject. Some of these young, and older, lady riders give me such a nice smile when passing. Makes me feel like a bit of a rat for writing this.

All the more reason for this tiresome thread to come to a close and lets move on.

That decision lies with the Editor, talking of whom, I wish he would not publish anonymous comments. Stand up and be counted Anonymous. You are "tiresome".

I am a horse rider myself. I do not consider the road in the picture to be very busy! Try riding down here near Inverness that's busy! The cars should not have been doing more than 30MPH anyway in a built up area. I always thank any driver who shows me courtesy by a smile and a wave.

Steven, i will let the last comment go. I am now getting the "evil eye" from horses.