• On a downhill, try not to whizz past horses (or you may end up with one on you!).  Horses perceive fast moving objects as a threat.
  

• 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. 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 call out 'hello' or 'bike' so that the horse rider can take appropriate action.

• 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 weird 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. If in doubt call out 'hello' or 'bike' to the rider to let them know you are there.