Don't frighten the horses
I wouldn't get to hopeful for the free hi-viz stuff. It was a limited hand-out (500 comes to mind) to highlight the benefit of wearing hi-viz. The trial undertaken did confirm that it had outstanding benefits in aiding helicopter crews to see the rider and horse, but it's not a panacea. Having said that, I now live in a very horsey area (a vilage just on the edge of the Lambourn Gallops) and I rarely see riders wearing the stuff. They really don't help themselves and just blame the MoD as it's as easy as stealing candy from a baby!
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Typical
I could get all protective and defensive of horse and riders here but I fear the backlash from within this thread. I would however like to point out that flying a helicopter is actually easier than riding a horse! I would be surprised if her horse simply reared up without warning and landed her one on the head? Should back off and let the animal settle before approaching IMHO :-)
GGR
(no pun in the name before you start)
GGR
(no pun in the name before you start)
Last edited by GGR; 18th Jul 2011 at 14:05.
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In several years of flying helos at low level, inspecting power lines etc (far lower than even our illustrious Chinooks go), landing in fields over horses, in fields next to horses, I've yet to see one properly spooked. Yes, some run around a bit but quickly quieten down, it is my opinion that horses are far more sensible than most riders give them credit for, and also are far more sensitive to the mood of the rider than most give credit for. If the rider becomes frightened (perhaps in anticipation of what the horse hadn't, until then, thought of doing) or angry then this is communicated to the poor horse which then reacts accordingly.
The worst behaved horse I've seen have all had riders on their backs...
Is this the helicopter's fault?
JUst like poultry and sheep slaughter, imho 95% of horse/helo trouble is invented for other motives.
The worst behaved horse I've seen have all had riders on their backs...
Is this the helicopter's fault?
JUst like poultry and sheep slaughter, imho 95% of horse/helo trouble is invented for other motives.
It definitely does seem to be a far more accute problem with the Chinook. I've flown in several types and none seemed to create the reaction from horses that Chinooks do. The crews know it and really do their level best to minimise the problem but the horse riders rarely seem to meet them halfway. A brown horse riden by a Barbour-wearing rider is camouflaged! Hi-viz may not be de-rigeur at Badminton but it might save a life, whether the 'threat' is from the air or the road.
I really do like the horse-riding community but it 'irks' that they can blame the MoD and get away with it when they know that it wouldn't be the same if it had been a car, a bike or a plastic bag!
I really do like the horse-riding community but it 'irks' that they can blame the MoD and get away with it when they know that it wouldn't be the same if it had been a car, a bike or a plastic bag!
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I find it perverse that a person's hobby is seen to take priority over national security. Once again we are the victims of poor PR and are seen as the bully and in the wrong.
The problem will be if it is proved that the helicopter was breaking the rules. We seem to be a nation that is not prepared to accept responsibility for our own actions (including from PM down at the moment). If the Chinook crew was breaking the rules then they deserve all they get - if they were not, then there is no case to answer. Far too often these days, people do not follow the laws/guidance laid down and when something goes wrong it is not their fault. I refer you to the IPhone thread - I am sure that IPhones are not allowed to be used on military aircraft under release to service rules - yet I am sure that there are many who use them.
Follow the rules, and the law should back you up. Break the rules and be prepared to accept the consequences - everything else is just a poor excuse.
(Descend from soap box.....).
The problem will be if it is proved that the helicopter was breaking the rules. We seem to be a nation that is not prepared to accept responsibility for our own actions (including from PM down at the moment). If the Chinook crew was breaking the rules then they deserve all they get - if they were not, then there is no case to answer. Far too often these days, people do not follow the laws/guidance laid down and when something goes wrong it is not their fault. I refer you to the IPhone thread - I am sure that IPhones are not allowed to be used on military aircraft under release to service rules - yet I am sure that there are many who use them.
Follow the rules, and the law should back you up. Break the rules and be prepared to accept the consequences - everything else is just a poor excuse.
(Descend from soap box.....).
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We get a lot of low flying Chinooks round our way and wifey, who rides horses, says that they are nowhere near as bad as fixed wing. The reason is that you can hear them coming so the horse isn't surprised. Unfortunately for her we also get some very low (but mostly slow) fixed wing.
Yes, military need to prepare and practise. However there is always going to be a compromise between military needs and the peace and prosperity they are there to protect.
I personally would prefer the night time low flyers to not use our village church (very distinctive) as an aim point on their runs (anyone who has almost got a baby to sleep when a loud noise wakes them for another hours screaming will understand why). They need to do low night runs, but they could aim to not overfly the village (there is lots of space).
Have I complained? No. Will others? Probably. The more the mil show they are attempting to minimise disruption, the less likely it is that they will find more draconian restrictions imposed upon them
Yes, military need to prepare and practise. However there is always going to be a compromise between military needs and the peace and prosperity they are there to protect.
I personally would prefer the night time low flyers to not use our village church (very distinctive) as an aim point on their runs (anyone who has almost got a baby to sleep when a loud noise wakes them for another hours screaming will understand why). They need to do low night runs, but they could aim to not overfly the village (there is lots of space).
Have I complained? No. Will others? Probably. The more the mil show they are attempting to minimise disruption, the less likely it is that they will find more draconian restrictions imposed upon them
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Do you have people shooting at you while you ride your horse..?
PS.........You have mis-understood my post. If you and many others it would seem in here feel it necessary to constantly remind us that the members of the armed forces (the clue is in the name) who join up hopefully do some research in to what may happen when you put on a target, sorry climb aboard an aircraft belonging to the perceived enemy?
I did 3 tours in NI in the early seventies and was shot at plenty of times! Not only in the air but on the ground! One or two of those shots nearly missed!! Has anyone thought that this woman may actually be receiving some counselling from one of our beloved blame game lawyers? fuelled by the media? Could just be. To all my present day colleagues of all forces concerned I wish you God speed and Giddy up for a safe return from your endeavours.
GGR
PS.........You have mis-understood my post. If you and many others it would seem in here feel it necessary to constantly remind us that the members of the armed forces (the clue is in the name) who join up hopefully do some research in to what may happen when you put on a target, sorry climb aboard an aircraft belonging to the perceived enemy?
I did 3 tours in NI in the early seventies and was shot at plenty of times! Not only in the air but on the ground! One or two of those shots nearly missed!! Has anyone thought that this woman may actually be receiving some counselling from one of our beloved blame game lawyers? fuelled by the media? Could just be. To all my present day colleagues of all forces concerned I wish you God speed and Giddy up for a safe return from your endeavours.
GGR
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I once got spooked by a horse and rider while out for a run - can I sue the horse's owner/rider?
Should I have been wearing a hi-vis running vest?
I for one would rather do my OLF overseas - happy for the taxpayer to fund a minimum of 25 hours per year in the USA for 9 multi-engine crews
Not to mention FJ, RW etc etc
Should I have been wearing a hi-vis running vest?
I for one would rather do my OLF overseas - happy for the taxpayer to fund a minimum of 25 hours per year in the USA for 9 multi-engine crews
Not to mention FJ, RW etc etc
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The village of Privet?
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
I am also in a 'horsey' area and have many times had near misses driving passed them on windy country road. Plenty of grass verges that they chose not to use and wearing hi-vis brown barbours. One girl had a hi-viz armband but on the inside!
At least one smart rider puts hi-viz yellow socks on the horse - now that I do see.
At least one smart rider puts hi-viz yellow socks on the horse - now that I do see.
