Horse Killed in Hit and Run

[FalseImpression]

I don't follow eventing that much so do not know the rider, but it is very sad.

http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/613685

Hit-and-run injures top rider, kills horse
WANDA GOODWIN/SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Jessica Ruppel, riding Bella, who was put down on Collingwood road.


Driver wouldn't slow down on road near Collingwood
Apr 04, 2009 04:30 AM
Gail Swainson
STAFF REPORTER

Collingwood OPP are investigating a hit-and-run involving one of Canada's top equestrians after she and her talented young horse – which had to be humanely put down by the side of the road – were struck on a rural side road earlier this week.

"Bella suffered so much," recounted Jessica Ruppel, who was riding the promising 3-year-old bay Hanoverian filly when a pickup truck smashed into them. "She was trying to get up and thrashing and whinnying. It was just horrible."

Veterinarian Jim Mitchell gave the filly medication for shock and fought for two hours to save her as she lay in the mud, covered with blankets. But when it was found she not only had internal injuries, but a shattered pelvis, the decision was made to humanely destroy Bella right there to end her suffering.

"I'm pretty shattered by this whole thing," Ruppel said in an interview yesterday.

Ruppel, who suffered a black eye and other bruising, said they were hit by a light-coloured pickup truck just 125 metres from the barn driveway Tuesday about 5:50 p.m. while out on a fun ride with friend Monica Wolfe on her appaloosa Kirby.

Ruppel, 25, is a fixture on the North American Three-Day Event scene and is currently on the list for Canada's 2009 team in the Olympic discipline, which combines show jumping, cross country jumping and dressage in a three-day format.

Just last year, Ruppel spent months recovering from a broken back suffered in a riding accident.

Ruppel said the truck was heading down the narrow gravel road at a high speed when she began waving her arms at the driver in an attempt to get him to slow down. The riders moved their horses to the far side of the road, but the driver made no attempt to slow, she said.

"He was going quite fast. I made eye contact, but he wasn't on his side of the road," Ruppel said. "He didn't move over, he just held his speed and his line and he hit us."

Ruppel said the truck, which had damage to its front driver's side, stopped and the driver and passenger got out.

"He yelled at me something like `what were you doing on the road?' and then got back in his vehicle and drove away," she added.

OPP Const. Theresa Van Boven said in a statement the truck was westbound on 9th Sideroad near 10th line in the Blue Mountains when horse and rider were struck.

Suzanne Hess, owner of South Grey Hanoverians, who bred the filly – named Royal Symphony, but affectionately dubbed Bella – was in the process of selling her to Ruppel. She was not insured.

[clivers]

That's absolutely horrible. Makes me so incredibly angry!!!!!! What an a$$hole!!!!!

Here's a pic of Jessie and her CCI3* horse Naughty By Nature for those who are trying to picture her: http://www.useventing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/TheForkPhotoGalleryCIC3AdvancedDressage_DF8C/TheForkFriday136_3.jpg

http://www.useventing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/TheForkPhotoGalleryCIC3XCPics_B3C1/Sunday327.jpg

[Carrera]

Here is a link to the article.

http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/613685

[Kenike]

Oh my! It almost seems like the guys in the truck had a vendetta against people riding out!

Horribly sad...and I hope Ms. Ruppel recovers soon. Godspeed, Bella

[Sansena]

How horrible..

Just because horses have the right of way doesnt' ensure every idiot will yield it. I agree it sounds as if this driver had an issue with riders in the road.

May he be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

[andylover]

just plain horrific and not enough tears can be shed for all involved.

[appychik]

How horrible. Godspeed to Bella and I hope that the rider and owner get some sort of restitution from the driver. So sad. That's why I've gotten so paranoid about riding on our gravel roads... people pay no attention and have no respect for riders and their horses.

[cyberbay]

I'm with you, Clivers.

I so, so hope they catch this driver, and then have him as his 'punishment' go around giving talks on how to drive safely on the road and how to drive safely around horses. I know it doesn't sound like he'd be a good candidate for that, but fines and jail time are pointless if there is no change in behavior and if there isn't a benefit for the public. It's a great rehabilitation, and it's a great way for the message to get across about caring for everyone and conducting oneself so that you're safe for everyone.

I am so sorry that this poor filly was so injured through the thoughtlessness, once again, of humans.

[LLDM]

If they catch the driver (and I am guessing they will) he will be in much more trouble than a drunk driver or regular hit and run. With that kind of deliberate behavior, he is likely to be charged with attempted murder, as he could have easily killed the rider(s).

I don't know about Canadian laws, but here in the US many, many years ago I remember a hunter being convicted of attempted murder for shooting a rider's horse out from under her. It would have taken a blind moron to have mistaken the horse (with rider) for anything other than what they were at the distance and in the circumstance. Plus the rider was doing nothing wrong nor was she anywhere she shouldn't have been.

People who are that dangerous and reckless are usually dealt with severely. They are a danger to everyone.

My sincere condolences to Jessica Ruppel, Suzanne Hess and all of Bella/Royal Symphony's other connections. What a horrible end to a talented young filly's life. :cry:

SCFarm

[tradewind]

How horribly horribly sad. Prayers for all.

[dwblover]

That just makes me so sad and so angry. Bless that filly's soul. I hope all the filly's family can heal with time. I used to keep one of my geldings at a farm on a quiet country road. It was unreal to see how fast the occasional car would come flying down the road. The speed limit was 20, and I would say some people were going 80+. I hope they catch whoever did this, and I'm fairly certain they will be facing jail time. Let's hope so anyway.

[CosMonster]

That is terrible. I hope they catch the guy who did it soon.

I'm nervous on roads for the same reason. At one of my barns that was in an area that had been very rural but was rapidly being developed, we always had to watch for teens and young adults who thought it was funny to drive really close fast and honk their horns to spook the horses. We stayed off the roads as much as possible, but there was about a half mile from the barn to the trails where you had no choice. More than one rider fell off as a result of those jerks, and one horse was injured when he spooked, hit the horse next to him, and sort of bounced back into the road. He had some soft tissue injuries and wrenched his back really bad but IIRC that was it, and he eventually made a full recovery. We stopped that practice though by carrying rocks and throwing them at the cars when they did that--probably not the best idea in retrospect but after a few bad dents and a broken windshield we noticed a marked decrease in the behavior.

And once at another place I was crossing in a crosswalk (right by a sign that said in big letters "STOP FOR HORSES IN CROSSWALK"), and some idiot came around a curve a ways up way too fast, then didn't bother slowing down. I was on a big gray horse, wearing bright colors and reflective gear, and it was a clear and sunny day, and the only thing that saved me was my horse bolting to the side of the road. By the time I realized he wasn't stopping I didn't even have a chance to react. Luckily we had a place to go and my horse was afraid of cars.

It's getting really scary out there. Every time I hear a story like this I think how close I have come. I hope Ms. Ruppel has a speedy recovery and doesn't beat herself up over this--I know I would, but it wasn't her fault. Just the wrong place at the wrong time. :(

[Angel Undercover]

So very sad. :( My heart goes out to Jessica.

[MMorgan]

This is what nightmares are made of. Poor Jessica, she'll have to live and deal with the trauma inflicted by a careless (at the very least, and probably a very angry individual from the sound of his comments) or deliberate SOB on her and this lovely animal. I also feel terrible for the mare's breeder. Can you imagine raising Bella, watching her grow and feeling the excitement of anticipating her brilliant career? For this? My heart aches and I hope this man/animal is found and prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Here's the webpage for Bella from her breeder's site:

http://www.southgreyhanoverian.com/royalsymphony.html

http://www.southgreyhanoverian.com/

[BasqueMom]

How tragic...condolences to all! Hope the driver is found and prosecuted!

[Arcadien]

Yeah that sounds like attempted murder to me. Hope Canadian laws view it thus. This sounds like type of person that would just as soon pull out a gun & shoot, so best to get him out of civilized society asap.

Healing thoughts to the rider,

Arcadien

[maxxtrot]

holy shit, what the hell is wrong with people. i cannot even start to understand what was going thru that person's mind. maybe drunk? i hope and pray that they do catch him and the passenger(just as guility) and just get them both out the the public's way. people like this have no right to be free on the outside! they should be burning in hell!

[kookicat]

How awful. :(

I do wonder though- were they wearing high-viz clothing?

Very sad though.

[millwrightmomma]

We live at the north end of a small lake by Little Britian Ontario, and we ride into the subdivision down there.
Cars/drivers are always being morons, some are good, but it is the Kids that are real idiots, throwning rocks, sticks and yelling at the last ride. My 5 ft tall daughter was on a big cylde, and we all know what could have happened.
people have no concience these days,
Condolences to those involved with the incident, and I hope they string up the SOB that did this

[yellowbritches]

Poor Jessica. :no: People like that just justify my general distaste for the human race.

[TheJenners]

In most states, hit-n-run is a felony charge. So even if they don't go with "reckless endangerment" or something similar, he'll still be facing that. Vehicular assault and/or any attempted crimes such as murder, would put the burden of proving intent to harm the person riding. And of course I would hope the horse's owner goes after him civilly for the cost of the animal.

The above is the non-emotional response. Otherwise: I hope they catch the bastard and his name is released to the public. What an ass!

[Kementari]

Things like this make me think that the human race just isn't nearly so advanced as we like to think we are. :no:

I ride on the roads and meet my share of idiots, but thankfully none (yet) of THAT caliber.

I don't see how you can call that anything BUT assault, if the driver truly didn't change course or speed in the slightest, and then directed his ire at the injured party rather than trying to render aid or even saying something like, "I didn't see you!"

I hope the catch the bastard and nail his ass to the wall. :mad:

Condolences to Jessica and all of Bella's people. :cry:

[Bobthehorse]

This hits so close to home, not only because its in an area I know well, but because that has nearly happened to me several times this winter.

I cannot believe when people are going easily 50km over the speed limit on country roads with poor visibility, driving straight down the centre. This winter while we were riding on the road, as far off to the side as possible before we fell into the steep ditch, a pickup drove by going easily 120 (on a max 60 road) and didnt bother to move over. Why why why? If you are going to be a giant @#$%^&*&^%$ and speed like that, at least move the ^&*#$% over!!! What is wrong with people? Dont they know hitting a 1200lb beast will likely kill you as well, and at the very least do a ton of damage to your vehicle? Do these @#$%^&^%$# drive by cyclists and joggers and children like that too? Also, its like they do it on purpose just for the power trip, because if someone legitimately didnt mean to, they would stay and help you out. Driving off after insulting you is just plain heartless.

That makes me so incredibly sad and angry. I really hope they find that driver and he gets what he deserves. I cannot even imagine being in that situation, the poor horse.

[Flying Hippotamus]

This happened to me in December. Fortunately my filly got up and ran back to the barn and was OK besides from some stitches. It was very similar in that I tried to flag down the car. Of course the driver stopped and got my information so he could later sue me for damages to his car. My accident has made me aware of how bad drivers are. Talking on the cell phone or whatever, they are clueless. Just last week we pulled out of our driveway (in a car) and a truck crossed over into our lane. I screamed. I can never trust drivers again. So I put this out there to you: do you talk on the cell phone or text or do your make-up or play with the radio? If so you could have hit this horse or mine. Or even the little kid who was hit getting on the school bus around here recently. What people need to realize that a car is a lethal weapon, please treat it like that.

[Fred]

that poor, poor filly.

my sincerest condolences to Jessica and Suzanne.

The driver? I do hope he is charged with attempted murder. Whatever it takes to get him off the road, and behind bars.

It makes me sick.

[purplnurpl]

People are Assholes.

I hope the person is caught and charged for murder. Probably a dead beat drunk piece of $&it.

I cannot hack out in my IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE PO DUNK neighborhood (Azle Texas. people in Texas don't even know where it is) because of such heartless people.

I got stuck on my road on a bridge with my horse spooking between a toppled over garbage can and a cow and the person wanting by in her car started yelling at me.
I wanted to get out and punch her window in but instead I've decided to just stay off the back roads of my hood.
So sad when you live in a farming community and can't even ride out of your own few acres.


I pray that the hurt that Jessica is feeling finds justice.

[Come Shine]

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=68925696443

Here is a link to a facebook group that was started - Bringing Peace for Bella.

There is a note that the driver has been found.

[greysandbays]

Things like this make me think that the human race just isn't nearly so advanced as we like to think we are. :no:



and whoever else had to make a point about how much they dislike the human race:

Things like this make the paper because people like that are RARE and RARE things make the NEWS. "If it bleeds it leads" is true only because it doesn't happen all that often, at least in the grand scheme of things.

You'd really have a gripe if people behaving like decent human beings was worthy of newspaper reports because it was so uncommon -- if the headlines were "Woman Arrives At Work Without Getting Shot/Raped/Assulted", or "Rider on Horseback Rides Ten Miles Without Getting Run Over By Truck Driver".

[DressageGeek "Ribbon Ho"]

So, so sorry, and condolences to all.

The best thing about nailing the driver is that they can get him off the road so he doesn't try to use his car as a lethal weapon.

[tangledweb]

Things like this make the paper because people like that are RARE and RARE things make the NEWS.

I think drivers with the mindset that horses/cyclists/pedestrians/farm machinery/anything other than SUVs in a hurry don't belong on the road are very, very common. Many drivers think that roads were made for cars and any other use is encroaching on their territory. That lack of consideration leading to a death is fortunately still pretty rare, but that is at least in part because horses, cyclists and pedestrians have been scared off many roads where they don't think there is enough visibility to stay safe.

[cu.at.x]

That is beyond sick. I hope they catch the bas**** who did that and lock him up for a long time.

[JSwan]

I Many drivers think that roads were made for cars and any other use is encroaching on their territory.

I agree. Around here it is very common for motorists to try and crowd other users off the road. Very narrow rural roads with no shoulder.

But then again - cyclists don't always yield either. Tractors always do - but farmers tend to be polite.

Horseback riders do - mostly because we don't we won't walk away if there is a collision. I won't hack to friends farms because it's just become too dangerous.

Sounds like the driver in this case needs to be taken out back and shot. But around here - it's just a**holes with a sense of entitlement and a basic lack of manners and common sense. Either way - if they hit us we're dead or severely injured.

My condolences on the loss of the horse. Poor thing - must have been horrific.

[sk_pacer]

My condolences to all involved.

However, the most the driver will get is dangerous driving, there will be no reckless endangerment, attempted murder or anything BUT dangerous driving and/or fleeing the scene of an accident if he is charged at all.

[Kanga]

I am so sorry for both horse & rider in this horrible situation. Does anyone know what will be done with the driver? Has any formal charge been brought?

There seems to be some kind of mentality in this country (and apparently Canada), that horses just don't matter on the road. In England, IF you want to drive, part of your testing is about horses on the road, not to mention riders take "Riding & Road Safety Tests" (by the BHS), prior to riding on the roads. This way everyone that is on the road understands who is suppose to do what. I spent many years living in England and there is an utmost respect by drivers over there when horses are on the road. They will not pass you until you signal them to. A totally different kind of respect for the horse that we just don't have in North America.

It's SAD!!

I say this guy gets set loose at an event and we do a little ropeing and drag him at 600mpm through the water jump then hang him up in a tree until he is about to take his last breath at which time he is thrown in prison and becomes someones BITCH!!!

[Angel Undercover]

Apparently he will be making a statement to the OPP on Wednesday.

[millwrightmomma]

I would like to know why the Collingwood OPP are giving him until wednesday to give his statement. Is that so he has time to get his truck fixed???, or just to get his lies straight!!!

[Come Shine]

I would like to know why the Collingwood OPP are giving him until wednesday to give his statement.

That does seem odd.

[AppendixQHLover]

AND this is why I prefer my horses and dogs over people sometimes.

When I ride my bicycle I always say something to someone on a horse when coming up behind them. My bike is extremely quiet and the horses can't hear it. I would rather say..biker on your left than have the horse freakout and spook. I have been telling other bicyclists what to do also when coming up on a horse. They didn't know that the horses couldn't hear them.

It is a shame that this beautiful horse had to be put down because of some idiot.

[Blondie22]

I do believe that it was Jessica Ruppel (or was it Jessica Phoenix - I can't keep them straight!) who broke her back while hacking alone last fall. She lay there for 3 hours until someone found her unable to move. After her recovery, this devastating incident occurred. Poor girl! What a horrible tragedy and a reminder of why I will never hack on roads. People don't understand that horses aren't machines and think it's amusing to spook them.

[TheJenners]

That does seem odd.
No, it doesn't. He has probably gotten a lawyer, who has given him this advice and/or has told him to not make a statement until he and the lawyer have had a chance to sit down and go over their stuff.

[Jealoushe]

WOW, this is insane, so sad.

I always road hack, like one poster said in the UK it is so different than in Canada. The people here have no respect. You can be in the middle of the road flagging someone to stop and they will just swerve around you at 90 mph. It sucks, so so bad.

As for him getting justice - not likely. The laws in Canada are such a joke right now - just goold the greyhound bus incident. I can't beleive the stuff you can get away with here.

Any news on how Jessica is?

[Doodlebug1]

What a sad story, poor girl and poor filly, that sounds really horrific, a tragedy for all concerned.

It is true that in the UK if you take BHS exams or doing Pony Club exams, you have to pass a Riding and Road Safety test, but proportionally that's relatively few riders - and doesn't educate the ass-hat drivers. Sadly you have about a 1 in 50 chance of being asked in your driving test how to react to horses.

(By the way Kanga, I think I know you!!! I used to work at YRC...)

In very rural areas where the drivers are mainly local and farmers, they tend to be very considerate but generally life in the UK sadly isn't that idylic - it isn't unheard of for horses to be hit by cars and killed here too (all apart from this first article are in the last year :( ):


http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/216/216599_tributes_to_mum_killed_while_horseriding.ht ml

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/Campaign-cut-speeds-horse-accidentarticle-553498-details/article.html


http://www.thisistotalessex.co.uk/maldon/Appeal-drivers-car-ploughs-horse/article-761570-detail/article.html

http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/bromborough-bebington-news/2008/11/05/horror-as-horse-is-killed-by-car-on-thornton-hough-road-80491-22179741/

This is an horrific image (not photoshopped in any way) taken after a (riderless) horse accident in the New Forest. It has been used extensively in advertising to caution drivers.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1582275/Collision-of-car-and-horse-used-to-scare-drivers.html

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/397/273685.html

[dogchushu]

I think drivers with the mindset that horses/cyclists/pedestrians/farm machinery/anything other than SUVs in a hurry don't belong on the road are very, very common. Many drivers think that roads were made for cars and any other use is encroaching on their territory. That lack of consideration leading to a death is fortunately still pretty rare, but that is at least in part because horses, cyclists and pedestrians have been scared off many roads where they don't think there is enough visibility to stay safe.

I've noticed this too. As the area around my barn has become more and more developed, it's no longer safe to ride on the roads.

I'm lucky enough that I don't have to ride on the roads to get to nice trails. However, those who drive farm equipment on the roads have to deal with incredibly irate, aggressive drivers. It's really quite sad because those farmers are the first ones to help pull you out of a ditch in bad weather or fix a broken down vehicle.

The farms and horses were there first, but that doesn't stop the drivers who think they need to teach you a lesson (and risk your life) for having the audacity to slow them down.

[tangledweb]

Charges laid:
http://www.collingwoodconnection.com/collingwoodconnection/article/133152

[Coreene]

May he be prosecuted to the fullest extent.May he get a nasty case of VD and watch his thing fall off.

[Angel Undercover]

He has been charged with careless driving and failing to remain.

[MandyVA]

I hope he has insurance.

[Serendipity]

Things like this make the paper because people like that are RARE and RARE things make the NEWS. "If it bleeds it leads" is true only because it doesn't happen all that often, at least in the grand scheme of things..

Just taking that one sentence somewhat out of context (sorry greysandbays), but here's the weird thing - this story did not make the news locally. I live in Toronto, which is about a two hour drive away from where the incident happened. And, my family lives in that area, so I would have paid attention to any news item which was local to them. The first time I heard about what happened was a a story in the Toronto Star, which ran several days after the event. There's been no TV news stories at all as far as I know.

I think that many car drivers, at least here in Ontario, have become insensitive and thoughtless in general, not only to horses but also to bikes, pedestrians, and other cars. I work in the construction field. I've been one of those people working on the side of the road (with lots of safety signs, etc. in place), and have been scared to death numerous times by drivers going by way too fast & too close. These drivers are simply oblivious of the potential consequences of their driving habits.

Coming back to horses and cars sharing the roads, a public awareness campain (which the good people on the Facebook group and the EMG forum are doing, I noticed - kudos to them!)is so very needed, at least here in Ontario.

We, as horse people, can talk all we want about how the guy in the truck is an idiot (which of course he is), but I think that we also need to make sure that people are aware of not only the rules of the road, but how unpredictable a horse can be and what that can mean to the car passing by. How many times do horse people joke about how non-horse people are so clueless about horses? Maybe we need to educate non-horse people better? Just a thought.

[FalseImpression]

The trouble with pointing out time and again that horses are unpredictable is that you will be told not to go on the roads with them. Yes, it is your right, but is it the smartest thing to do all the time because it is your right? Is it really worth it?

My daughter also had that kind of experience on a very quiet road.... people driving too fast, maple syrup buckets shaking in the wind, a ditch full of water and dogs barking. She survived it, but decided going on the "quiet road" because she was allowed to... was not smart.

Educating people to slow down when there is a slow "vehicle" ahead be it a rider or in my area, horses and buggies, a tractor, is of course useful. But, I don't hold much hope for people who do not care to smarten up.

How many times does the OPP say slow down!! Does it work? A big good stiff sentence and fine, and community work would also be appropriate.

And I also never heard anything on the news, but did read the article in the Star last Saturday. And I am south of Collingwood and also about 2 hours.

[rhymeswithfizz]

He has been charged with careless driving and failing to remain.

That's it???? Awful.

I hope Bella's owner files a civil suit on top of it and takes everything he has.

[sk_pacer]

That's it???? Awful.

I hope Bella's owner files a civil suit on top of it and takes everything he has.

And that is going to get him a 500.00 fine if that, more likely a will be told not to do it again.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the poor farmer in Alberta that is being charged with a long string of things from dangerous driving to assault with a weapon and assault and criminal negligence causing bodily harm when he tried to protect the property thieves were making off with. Said thieves got nothing AND apparently some of the man's property - not even a charge of criminal trespass because THEY are now the victims of a crime as the farmer chased them down in his truck, ran them off the road and fired a shotgun at them. The long and short of it is this: if you are rural, you must accept any and all consequences of crimes leveled at you and your property and retribution or attempts to protect yourself and property will not be tolerated. Farmers have been charged for leaving equipment in their yards when trespassers have hit it in the dead of night while attempting to steal something.

[Serendipity]

FalseImpression, you are absolutely right. I wish you weren't, but you are. I guess I was writing with the somewhat naive hope that non-horse people, once they understood a bit about horse behaviour, would understand the need to slow down. But, yeah, I do agree with everything you said in your post. Even with our new "anti-racing" law from the OPP, people still drive way too fast, especially on the sideroads. The community work, in addition to the stiff tickets/penalties would be a great idea.
PS it's nice to "meet" someone local to me on here!

[Angel Undercover]

I agree, it's awful. He will more than likely plead down the failure to remain, which means he'll most likely end up paying a fine. :( Hopefully his insurance goes through the roof.

[rcloisonne]

The trouble with pointing out time and again that horses are unpredictable is that you will be told not to go on the roads with them. Yes, it is your right, but is it the smartest thing to do all the time because it is your right? Is it really worth it?
Exactly! And this from the above posted article:

Ruppel works with horses full-time, and often rides on the road. She and Wolf said that cars rarely slow down and move over enough to make way for a horse and rider. Often the horse and rider are sprayed with gravel and the horse gets spooked.
Well, hello? She knows this and still think it's A-Okay to take a three year old filly down the road? :rolleyes:

And someone else thinks educating non-horse people is the answer? :confused:

[Parker_Rider]

“My only regret,” said Hess. “Is that I trained her to stand still when traffic is around. She stood still and trusted that she was doing the right thing.”

Oh that' quote is absolutely heartbreaking... what a sad story, for sure. :( I feel awful for everyone involved.
There are these two women (mom and daughter?) in Parker, CO who lately have taken to "trail riding" along the major highway through town (6 lanes!) and on 4 lane roads... The first time I saw them they were in my parents' subdivision and I thought it was odd. Yeah, this used to be horse country, but I've never seen that and neither had my parents. Then they started riding on Hwy 83 (aka "Blood Highway") and I thought it was just plain dangerous. I've seen them all over town and I fear for them. People in this town just aren't that savvy and like their SUVs to have the right of way.

Horses/cyclists/pedestrians might have the right of way, but you have to be smart.. like my mama says "you can be right, but you'll be dead right." I hope all involved in this tragedy can recover.

[Kementari]

Well, hello? She knows this and still think it's A-Okay to take a three year old filly down the road? :rolleyes:


Did you miss the part where the filly was traffic trained and STOOD as she was trained to do?

I can't imagine that even my bombproof 23 y/o who is traffic-safe as the day is long would somehow be able to read a driver's mind and, ignoring any direction I might be giving to the contrary, know that the driver was not going to return to his own side of the road and thus leap to safety, saving the day in the ta da! knick of time. :rolleyes:

I ride my horses on the road (country roads (though I have ridden on a highway - where it was legal and had very broad shoulders - briefly to get from one place to another), on the shoulder, and having trained them to traffic) because I have as much right to be there as the cars do. Just because there are felons in the world who might run into me does not mean I should hide under my bed. By that logic I shouldn't drive my car on the road either, because I know there are drunk drivers out there and there's nothing I can do to stop them.

[SierrasMommy]

OMG, how horrific and heartbreaking! Riding down roads is very scary. It's just plain disgusting how some people have no concern for the rules of the road OR common sense. Godspeed Bella and I hope Jessica has a quick recovery. I do hope they find that you-know-what driver and make him pay DEARLY for what he did. Just disgusting!

It is very scary riding down streets. I have to cross a street to get from my barn to the trail and back. I have been in close calls where people didn't want to slow down or stop. I've also been lucky enough to have people who've stopped or barn mates who've blocked the road altogether to let us cross. I know when I approach the trail area, I ALWAYS check FIRST for horses and THEN for other cars at the stop sign. I've even blocked traffic completely to help friends cross. It's just common sense and the right thing to do, regardless of whether you're a horse person or not. Ok, maybe blocking the road is a bit extreme, but slowing down or allowing someone on horseback to cross is just safe thinking.

[andylover]

Parker Rider, you are so right.. having lived in Parker for several years i saw the decline for respect of the horse and rider on the side of the road. i always thought if drivers could be so unbelievably rude and scary while pulling a horse trailer, how bad could they be if you were riding on the side of the road.. The number of horses/barns are decreasing there so rapidly.

[JSwan]

Whether a person THINKS horses have any business out of a ring isn't the point.

Everyone has to share the road. Bicycles, trucks, cars, horses and pedestrians.

People get hit by cars, too. And not just walking across the street - but walking along a shoulder.

Don't blame the victim.


Out hunting we have to cross roads or walk/trot/canter alongside them. And even out here - where it's perfectly normal to see that- there is always some a**hole who thinks the world revolves around him.

Why is there now a law (in this state) that requires people to stop when a school bus stops? Because a**holes were running kids over. Common sense would tell a driver to watch out for kids - but nope. A**holes don't have common sense.

[FalseImpression]

I was not blaming the victim, but saying that using the argument that horses are unpredictable does not work in the riders' favour.

The roads around Collingwood are not very wide and most of them have a narrow shoulder. Once again, whether it is my right, I would not choose to ride on a gravel country road... I'd rather live without the experience rather than the guilt of causing my horse to die by asserting my rights.

There are A**holes everywhere and people get killed all the time, I agree with that. I just would rather minimize the risks to me and my animals. We live in a fairly quiet neighbourhood, but there is a 4 lane avenue Iwith nice shoulders and sidewalks) parallel to our street one block away. It would be convenient to walk there to do a nice loop with the dog, but so many cars have landed in the fences of the backyards.... and especially in the winter when it gets a bit slippery... we do not walk on that street any longer... there are other places to walk rather than putting us in harm's way.

[JSwan]

And if I didn't ride along roads I'd never ride. Seriously. I'm out near or on roads 3x's a week, up to 4 hours at a time, 6 months out of the year. What do you want people like me to do? Stay home and putz around in an arena for the rest of our lives? I'd slash my wrists.

We do our best to make sure our horses are well trained, that we act responsibly, go out of our way to be considerate of other users, landowners, and other citizens, and we also try to make sure our riding skills are up to the task.

I don't know what the answer is, but I won't condemn a fellow horseman for utilizing our roads in a legal and appropriate manner. If other folks prefer to make different choices about where they ride - that's ok and none of my business.

But it's ok to use our parks, roads, and other public areas.

[Sport]

Exactly! And this from the above posted article:


Well, hello? She knows this and still think it's A-Okay to take a three year old filly down the road? :rolleyes:

And someone else thinks educating non-horse people is the answer? :confused:

All I can say is WOW to your comments.

Did you miss the part where it said that the filly was used to traffic?
That the poor horse stayed where it was supposed to and was struck down anyway?
That the driver was on the wrong side of the road.

That somehow this accident is the riders fault because they went for a hack.

I think the comment meant that being passed quickly and closely was not something unusual and that the horses were used to this. Also just because this may be usual does not mean they didn't have the right to be there.

I find it hard to believe that other horse people don't think we have the right to be on the roads ... no wonder the general public doesn't get it.:no: