Riders have right to be on the road

I gave up riding horses on the road years ago - the mixture of poor attitude by the majority of motorists, sheer traffic volume and animal unpredictability made it just too dangerous to continue.
I'm not being arrogant when I say this - I had too many very close calls to risk either my own life, my horse's, or the lives of ignorant drivers who could not slow down or give us a wide enough berth to make it safe. By law, horses, cycles, and pedestrians are all entitled to use the road system.
The road code sets out rules for road users should they meet horse riders or stock on the roads. It's very clear and while drivers can be charged with careless or dangerous driving, few heed the rules.
Last week I was reminded of why I gave up riding on the road - when out of necessity, I ventured out on what should have been an easy ``lead'' down a couple of urban streets.
Pressured for grazing by the conditions I have had to seek grazing in an urban area. I arranged with a fellow rider to use her dressage arena only a short distance from the grazing.
My horses are show horses, so they have encountered traffic, but are not what I would consider to be totally road wise.
Anticipating strange surrounds could unnerve them a little I decided to lead, rather than ride the horse to the exercise area. It's a quiet area, with very light traffic, good visibility, inside a 50km/h zone.
During the short walk I was staggered by the lack of courtesy I encountered.
Traffic came so close I could poke my finger in the passenger's eye if I had dared, few slowed down, others gave a wide enough berth, but passed at such speed that even I leapt with fright - I even had two cars pass each other beside me.
By now the horse was freaked and when my hand signal requesting an approaching driver to slow down went unheeded, I was inclined to give the driver a more bogan gesture.
I have heard I am not alone with my concerns. Nowadays horse traffic is not restricted to quiet rural roads. Many areas with farms or lifestyle blocks have roads with high speed limits running through them.
A horse is a living, breathing animal with instincts, thoughts, feelings and fears.
Drivers must at all times be aware of, and be able to give way to animals on the road and if necessary stop.
When approaching any horse and rider (or person leading a horse), - even those on the verge - vehicles should slow down and ensure they have plenty of room.
In some situations, such as a narrow road or on a bridge, or when the horse appears frightened vehicles may need to stop - heed any riders request to slow down or stop.
If you frighten a horse, it may end up in or on your vehicle, or the vehicle following you.
Riders are permitted to ride in double file. Apart from motorways, the motor vehicle does not have any special right to be on the road, nor does its driver.
Please keep us all safe by abiding by the road rules.