If you’ve ever driven through the countryside or along a quiet lane, you’ve probably encountered a horse and rider at some point. Most of us slow down, give them a wide berth, and maybe even offer a friendly wave.

But what happens when things don’t go quite so smoothly?

A recent viral video has sparked a heated debate online, and it’s got everyone talking about who really has the right of way—and what we should all be doing to keep our roads safe for everyone, whether they’re on four wheels or four hooves.

The incident in question was captured by equestrian Laura Robson, who was out for a ride with a friend when a blue Skoda Fabia approached.

The car, with a child in the backseat, passed the riders at what looked to be less than a metre away. The first horse was visibly spooked, and Laura, worried her own horse might react badly too, held out her riding crop and shouted: ‘F******* h***! Wait, wait, wait! It’s a green lane, please go slower.’

The driver didn’t take kindly to the outburst, and a heated exchange followed. Laura later posted the footage online, explaining her frustration: ‘Dangerous drivers frustrate me! This road was clearly signposted as a quiet lane. They should have stopped in the wider passing place ahead to let us pass safely. Instead, they mounted the curb and spooked the horses.’

Footage of a horse rider confronting a motorist for allegedly driving too fast past her and spooking a horse on a green lane has sparked a heated debate online about who was actually at fault. Image source: @laurarobsonequestrian / Instagram.

The video quickly racked up thousands of comments, with viewers split right down the middle.

Some sided with Laura, arguing that the driver should have stopped and given the horses more space. Others defended the motorist, saying the car was already going as slow as possible and that it’s not always practical to stop completely on a narrow lane.

So, who’s in the right? Let’s break it down.

According to the official Highway Code (and similar guidelines here in Australia), drivers must be especially careful when passing horses.

The rules are clear: slow down to a maximum of 10 km/h, don’t rev your engine or sound your horn, and give at least two metres of space when overtaking.

If you can’t pass safely, you should wait until you can. Horses are unpredictable animals, and even the calmest can be startled by a sudden noise or a car passing too close.

The Code also reminds us that there are ‘three brains at work’—the driver’s, the rider’s, and the horse’s. Horses are flight animals, and if they get spooked, things can go wrong very quickly.

The comments on Laura’s video show just how divided people are. Some argued that the car was going as slow as it could without stalling, and that if riders are worried about sharing the road, they should stick to fields or bridleways.

Others pointed out that the lane was signposted for recreational use, meaning walkers, cyclists, and horse riders have just as much right to be there as cars.

Laura herself responded to critics, saying: ‘How about the car stop? There wasn’t enough space for him to safely pass so he should have stopped the car. Or better yet, wait in the wider part of the road he’d just passed.’

Supporters agreed, with one commenter noting: ‘It’s a green lane people! Its purpose is recreational use! So especially made for walking, biking and horseback riding. The ladies with the horses had every right to be there. So the car was wrong and had to wait and make room for the horses.’

Source: @laurarobsonequestrian / Instagram.​

Whether you’re a driver, a cyclist, or a horse rider, we all share the responsibility of keeping our roads safe.

It’s easy to get frustrated when you’re in a hurry and stuck behind a slow-moving horse, but a little patience can make all the difference. Horses can weigh over 500kg and can bolt unexpectedly if frightened. A spooked horse can cause serious injury to itself, its rider, and even people in nearby vehicles.

At the end of the day, a little courtesy goes a long way. Whether you’re behind the wheel or in the saddle, we all want to get home safely. The law is on the side of safety, and it’s up to all of us to use our common sense and look out for each other.

Read more: Deadly virus resurfaces as safety concerns grow: 'It is rare'

Key Takeaways

• Footage of a horse rider confronting a motorist for allegedly driving too fast past her and spooking a horse on a green lane has sparked a heated debate online about who was actually at fault.
• Many commenters argued the driver could not have gone any slower without stalling, and suggested that horse riders should use fields or more suitable tracks rather than narrow country roads.
• Supporters of the rider pointed out that green lanes are specifically designated for recreational uses like horse riding, and that the driver should have stopped or waited at a wider spot to ensure the safety of the horses.
• Official guidelines state motorists should pass horses wide and slow (at no more than 10km/h and at least 2 metres distance), but opinions in the comments were sharply divided, with some siding with the driver and others backing the equestrians.

Have you ever had a close call with a horse on the road? Are you a rider who’s had to deal with impatient drivers, or a driver who’s been stuck behind a nervous horse? We’d love to hear your stories and tips—share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[7777]

I think you are the inconsiderate entitled idiot
Exactly the point, if you collide with a horse (or cow or kangaroo) your vehicle will be severely damaged or written off. Surely that is enough for your addled brain to take care. You claim to drive along back roads, yet you have never seen livestock on the road? Hard to believe. You are not entitled to sole use of the road, it is shared.

Dear member ARL, we are not talking about cows and kangaroos that are known to cross roads in country areas. We are talking about horses that can be startled by motorbike, truck and car sounds making it dangerous for the rider and horse. Why do we not see more and more riders on horses, on roads where there are traffic, or on highways, why, because the horse would become frightened from all the noise coming from so many vehicals. Yes, road rules state that horses are also classified as a form of transport, and therefore are permitted on roads. However, any rider who cares for their horse and their own life, would think twice before going for a horse ride in traffic. Even though we need to share the roads with horses, it must be understood that horses can be startled by sounds made by traffic, that can cause danger to rider and horse. Yes, in the olden days horses were the main sourse of transport, but there were hardly any cars on the roads then, now we have traffic. Our world should be moving in the direction of safety for people and animals. It's called positive progress. Just like technology is progressing, so should our law progress to levels of safety for all living beings. When will the Minister for Transport, Roads and Traffic, realise that a car and a horse are two seperate things. One is mechanical with no feelings and is controlled by the driver, and the other is alive with feelings and with and its own ability to react in an unpredictable way, according to what it has seen or heard.

 

[ARL]

Wonder what these impatient drivers would do up here in Queensland when they come across the drovers taking their cattle on the road to feed because of drought and lack of food . There can be more than 10 horses plus cattle dogs controlling hundreds of cattLe.. They do a marvellous job . Probably been happening in south Australia with all the drought . Hope these impatient motorists slowed down for all the Semi Trailers carting the hay donated to the farmers and carted free of cost etc .from W A. Having been on a dairy . Beef , and Sheep farm THANKYOU I take my hat off to you.

Dear member ARL, we are not talking about cows and kangaroos that are known to cross roads in country areas. We are talking about horses that can be startled by motorbike, truck and car sounds making it dangerous for the rider and horse. Why do we not see more and more riders on horses, on roads where there are traffic, or on highways, why, because the horse would become frightened from all the noise coming from so many vehicals. Yes, road rules state that horses are also classified as a form of transport, and therefore are permitted on roads. However, any rider who cares for their horse and their own life, would think twice before going for a horse ride in traffic. Even though we need to share the roads with horses, it must be understood that horses can be startled by sounds made by traffic, that can cause danger to rider and horse. Yes, in the olden days horses were the main sourse of transport, but there were hardly any cars on the roads then. When will the Minister for Transport, Roads and Traffic, realise that a car and a horse are two seperate things. One is mechanical with no feelings and is controlled by the driver, and the other is alive with feelings and with and its own ability to react in an unpredictable way, according to what it has seen or heard.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

Dear member Aussie all the Way, thankyou for your post. I respect your opinion and hear what you are saying. However, the road should have had a sign stating that horses may be passing on the road. That way the drivers could drive at minimum speed to avoid startling any on coming horse riders. Wishing you a pleasant day.

All good everyone is entitled to their say and yes you are right if a sign had of been there to tell cars drivers that they may encounter hoses and possibly say give way or otherwise it would save all the confusion.

 

[ARL]

I think they all require care, horses, livestock, kangaroos, kids bicycles etc. The article also mentions country road, and the poster I was referring to said he drives along country and back roads which are presumably quieter yet was still complaining aggressively. Also, it is legal to take a horse on the road, but I agree, if I owned a horse I would avoid heavy traffic.
However when all said, roads are shared and not owned by Individuals

 

[Still Ebby]

l agree horse belong in fields.
My sister rang late at night and asked if we could take our mother back home to her from the club in Hornsby as she wanted to watch the last episode of ''Thorn Birds''. We decided to go the back way to Mooney Mooney instead of the highway and it was very dark. Then all l remember is someone flashing a light then nothing.
The horse had tried to jump over our car but ended up on top of it with it's throat slit open dead.
l was in the passenger seat at the front my neck broken and my mouth filled with horse blood. l was in hospital for months laid on my back with a broken C2 C3 fracture to my neck.
l had to learn to sit up everything it was very painful. l am paralysed down my right side but l can walk with a stick. Mum and Karen had knee cuts but hubby was ok. l am only saying this to show how dangerous horses can be and look what happened to Christopher Reeves being thrown off his horse they are unpredictable stupid animals

 

[ARL]

l agree horse belong in fields.
My sister rang late at night and asked if we could take our mother back home to her from the club in Hornsby as she wanted to watch the last episode of ''Thorn Birds''. We decided to go the back way to Mooney Mooney instead of the highway and it was very dark. Then all l remember is someone flashing a light then nothing.
The horse had tried to jump over our car but ended up on top of it with it's throat slit open dead.
l was in the passenger seat at the front my neck broken and my mouth filled with horse blood. l was in hospital for months laid on my back with a broken C2 C3 fracture to my neck.
l had to learn to sit up everything it was very painful. l am paralysed down my right side but l can walk with a stick. Mum and Karen had knee cuts but hubby was ok. l am only saying this to show how dangerous horses can be and look what happened to Christopher Reeves being thrown off his horse they are unpredictable stupid animals

Sorry yo hear about that.

 

[Still Ebby]

Sorry yo hear about that.

Oh thats ok. Thanks but it happened years can't dwell on the past l am well over it.

 

[7777]

Sounds like a self entitled driver. Horses are legally allowed on roads. What next? Ban pedestrians, what about bicycles?

Too many people these days do not even have half a brain

Dear member ARL. Thankyou for your post that contains an interesting choice of words. If people don't agree with you, that means they are expressing their freedom of their opinion, interestingly, just like you are expressing your opinion. Wishing you a pleasant evening.

 

[Morgans Orchard]

Da Freddy ,obviously you have never lived or worked on a farm or you would know farms can be separated on both sides of the road . As for the truck driver that blasted you with his horn that is what this is all about inconsiderate drivers. Pity you didn’t sit there and make him wait longer . I Do not believe in taking a horse on the road just for a Sunday afternoon drive either the paddock is the place for that but maybe they were transporting this horse to another property people do agist their stock out if they are running out of feed . When we had 6000 carpet wool sheep on Bruny island we had to shear them twice a year the dusty road run straight thru the middle of the property . Visitors used to come over to the island on weekends on the 6am ferry and back last ferry night 7 pm . when the shearer’s were coming we had to bring the sheep in and sort them out for them to start 7am and to make sure they were dry you can’t shear damp sheepThe Council put a big sign up SPEED LIMIT 5 MILES an HOUR plus another further below WARNING SHEEP CROSSING plus we had to put out FLASHING REDLIGHT to warn also One Sunday morning we were bringing in flock 3000 to sort out light flashing etc son walking husband on HORSE back plus sheep dog in paddock , I open gate for sheep to cross walk up the road to head sheep across our best sheep dog runs down to light to turn them in to shed . I was going to head that way but he knew he could run faster than me . It takes awhile for that many sheep to cross the road . 15 minutes later this IDIOT comes speeding round the corner and runs into him . We had to SHOOT him then and there ME I could have shot the driver . I cried we called the POLICE . He was charged but that didn’t bring our beautiful dog back. perhaps you should check on how much a good sheep dog is worth . We had a LOT of offers to buy him but he was family to us . That could have been husband on the horse , me , or my son Before you eat your next meal THANK a

 

[Nevertiki]

Sounds like a self entitled driver. Horses are legally allowed on roads. What next? Ban pedestrians, what about bicycles?

Quite the contrary. The horse rider is the selfish, self-entitled person in this case. Why does the rider assume she has priority? She expects the car to stop and give way to her and when she doesn’t get what she wants, she moans to the whole world.

Horses can stand still too. It would take ten seconds for a car to slowly pass a horse standing on the grass verge. A single horse walking past a stationary car will take up to a minute. And more for the two in the tale above. A horse that cannot be controlled near cars shouldn’t be on a road at all.

 

[Jest]

always an idiot behind a steering wheel. another ignorant prick.

 

[Jest]

Quite the contrary. The horse rider is the selfish, self-entitled person in this case. Why does the rider assume she has priority? She expects the car to stop and give way to her and when she doesn’t get what she wants, she moans to the whole world.

Horses can stand still too. It would take ten seconds for a car to slowly pass a horse standing on the grass verge. A single horse walking past a stationary car will take up to a minute. And more for the two in the tale above. A horse that cannot be controlled near cars shouldn’t be on a road at all.

go back to sleep. you are very ignorant of common sense.

 

[Still Ebby]

go back to sleep. you are very ignorant of common sense.

And you are very rude in your comments as usual

 

[Da Freddo]

I think you are the inconsiderate entitled idiot
Exactly the point, if you collide with a horse (or cow or kangaroo) your vehicle will be severely damaged or written off. Surely that is enough for your addled brain to take care. You claim to drive along back roads, yet you have never seen livestock on the road? Hard to believe. You are not entitled to sole use of the road, it is shared. You do not get to decide who uses our roads

Yes I have driven all over this land alot, with my job,
yes I have seen livestock ,Roos, and Wombats, I'M REPLYING TO ONE RIGHT NOW.
Seen any signs BANNING ANIMALS ON FREEWAYS AND MAJOR ROADS.
You clown are the IDIOT, that is all I have to say your post speaks volumns about your intellect

 

[Kevin. A]

Drivers need to be more responsible when it comes to animals such as horses. These animals do not know or understand road rules. It is important that drivers slow down and give as much of a gap between them and the horse or other animal as possible. If a horse is spooked, it could easily throw the rider, injure the rider and race off in a blind panic. The horse could easily end up being injured or even put down because of the selfishness of one impatient driver.

 

[Kman]

There are people, and a world outside Australia. Most of our laws are based on British laws and that is not going to change. We are affected by happenings outside our borders, e.g. the US and China

And your point is.........

 

[7777]

Drivers need to be more responsible when it comes to animals such as horses. These animals do not know or understand road rules. It is important that drivers slow down and give as much of a gap between them and the horse or other animal as possible. If a horse is spooked, it could easily throw the rider, injure the rider and race off in a blind panic. The horse could easily end up being injured or even put down because of the selfishness of one impatient driver.

Dear member Kevin. A, thankyou for your post. All the more reason why the law should change to prohibit riding horses on public roads. Wishing you a pleasant evening.