• On a downhill, try not to whizz past horses (or you may end up with one on you!)
• Don't assume that all horses have seen cycles before, many have not.
• If approaching a horse from behind, the horse will see you before the rider.  The rider will probably not hear you either and the reaction of their horse may be the first clue you are there.  If in doubt call out 'hello' or 'bike' so that the horse rider can take appropriate action.
• Some horses may choose to defend themselves from an approaching 'rear attacker' with their hind feet! Making yourself known to the rider will keep everyone safe. 
• If in doubt, stop and talk to the rider - the horse may be confused by such a strange looking beast, but will be reassured to hear a human voice (and realise cycling is just another wierd thing that humans do).
• Some horses associate the 'ticking' noise of a cycle with the ticking of an electric fence, and may be wary.
• Although pulling well off a narrow track or road may seem the right thing to do, try to remain visible to the horse.  From the horse's viewpoint you may be 'hiding in the bushes, waiting to ambush him'.  Standing in the open beside your cycle will make it easier for the horse to trust that you are 'just a human' with a strange machine. 

Sometimes horses view things differently than we humans. Your efforts to take care, ride quietly and slowly may be appreciated by the rider, but can seem to be 'sneaky' or 'suspicious' behaviour to a horse. Saying hello to the rider or asking for instructions if the horse seems upset to reassure the horse that you are 'just a human'.

 

"If in doubt call out 'hello' or 'bike' so that the horse rider can take appropriate action."