Subscriber Comments for
Riding on Foothill

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 298683	2012-07-17 08:14 PM
It would be even nicer if we did not even have to tell them to slow down. We used to teach civility and manners. But the me-generation pretty much did away with all common courtesies. Men used to open doors for women. Imagine that.
COMMENT 298687	2012-07-17 08:20 PM
In the early 70's I crossed Cathedral Oaks at the crosswalk at Alpha Center, on horseback. But even then I never would ride on Cathedral Oaks and I was a pre-teen. I agree with your statement and desires, but they're fantastical. Please think self-preservation. And/or a different boarding site. Meant with good wishes.
COMMENT 298688	2012-07-17 08:24 PM
How can anyone coming around a blind curve avoid hitting an ambling horse and rider in the middle of the street on a state hwy? That is INSANE. Please check with DMV or even the Sheriff's Office about the safety and legality of riding a horse on state highways rather than to the side.
COMMENT 298689	2012-07-17 08:32 PM
Um, yes, it's a paved road for CARS.....
COMMENT 298690	2012-07-17 08:35 PM
riding a horse while taking pictures on a highway is real smart.....
COMMENT 298691	2012-07-17 08:39 PM
get your horse off my road.... there is a speed limit on it you know.....
COMMENT 298694	2012-07-17 08:45 PM
If you can't ride the speed limit, and you're on the street, you should get a ticket.
EDHAT ONLINE	2012-07-17 08:51 PM
Years ago,Edhat drove the entire 192. We posted lots of pictures and a video too. link
ANIMALLISTNER	2012-07-17 08:51 PM
comment 683. amen! So true!
ANIMALLISTNER	2012-07-17 08:54 PM
Hmmm, this does NOT look like a safe path for ANY animal or be on, period! How about riding your horse on a horse trail?
COMMENT 298698	2012-07-17 08:56 PM
688- so no peds or cycles? 690- never been on a horse, right? Just stay on your cell and/or text while you drive. 691-need to take a look at the definition of speed limit. In the Montecito area just trying to cross from one Montecito trail to another is hard. I know all to well what you mean. On foot, bike or pony. Stand your ground!!!!!!!!
COMMENT 298699	2012-07-17 09:00 PM
I agree with 687 about making self-preservation a priority. It may be permitted, but the risks are clear. But yes, people should slow down, too.
D8VANILLA	2012-07-18 12:03 AM
I'm sorry, but this looks a little silly and dangerous. ~~~~~~ Why would you risk the safety of yourself, your horse and the passengers of a vehicle??? ~~~~~ I'm sure if you were to get HIT, you would blame the vehicle, no matter how fast the vehicle was travelling. ~~~~~ Blind corners, going slow, might not be enough time to stop. And, it's hard to compare a horse with pedestrians or bicycles. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Get real, get safe and find a more horse-friendly path.
COMMENT 298710P	2012-07-18 04:05 AM
I have to agree with many of the others. Riding your horse on this road is irresponsible and unsafe for others. You could cause a head-on collision when someone tries to avoid you.
COMMENT 298714	2012-07-18 06:27 AM
About two weeks ago I witnessed on Foothill just east of the polo grounds a new Mustang going about 70 mph, weaving from lane to lane in the middle of the day. I pulled over and called the Sheriff. I ride my bike on Foothill and wish that people did not drive recklessly but they do and they do especially on that road. I don't know what you're trying to prove but nobody wins if you get hit. Furthermore, large groups of cyclists ride on this road also. Your horse may be used to cars but how would it react to 40 cyclists in a large group. If the Edhat headline read, "Horse and rider hit by car on Foothill", I think the overwhelming first reaction would be, "What was a horse and rider doing on Foothill?" Not, "What was a car doing on Foothill?"
COMMENT 298715P	2012-07-18 06:28 AM
I'm assuming if you can afford a horse, you have access to a trailer. Do the smart thing for our horse and trailer it to safe riding area.
COMMENT 298716	2012-07-18 06:28 AM
Oh man I would be so scared that the horse would spook and run in front of a car or motorcycle and then the horse, me and whoever was in the vehicle would be hurt. Scary!! It doesn't seem fair to drivers, or to your horse, that you are riding it on this road and then complaining that cars drive crazy... that's a crazy road!
COMMENT 298717	2012-07-18 06:28 AM
Nice bomb proof horse... you would not risk it on an animal you truly loved.
PETER	2012-07-18 06:32 AM
Nearly 70 years ago, when I was a boy evacuated from London during WWII, I was taught when walking on country roads, always to face the oncoming traffic. The same might apply to riding horses.
COMMENT 298720	2012-07-18 06:33 AM
You need more than one horse power to be on the road.
FLICKA	2012-07-18 06:41 AM
If you are leading a horse, you walk facing traffic. Riding means you go with the traffic, same for bikes. To say if the person can afford a horse she/he can afford a trailer is crazy; mixing apples and oranges. If you can afford a house, you can afford a new car, etc.
COMMENT 298728	2012-07-18 07:02 AM
wow....I agree that many cars drive too fast...and the statement that cars need to slow down is right on! But, please dont ride your horse on this particular road. There are so many gorgeous trails and safer places to ride. Maybe look in your heart and try to decide why you are feeling so entitled....to ride a horse on a road that is already dangerous. Please dont ask drivers to try to avoid you, when you should not really, if you used any kind of common sense, be there. Probably, legally you and your horse can be.....but is it the wisest safest route? Nope.
COMMENT 298734P	2012-07-18 07:15 AM
Perhaps the OP was transitioning from one trail to another. Personally, I love to see folks riding horses when I'm driving - it's a lovely civilized activity in the midst of all the rush and, having grown up with horses on roads, I always slow down and take a moment to enjoy the sight. As they say for cyclists: Share the Road.
COMMENT 298734P	2012-07-18 07:29 AM
EdHat: Thanks for the link to the 192 pix; not too long ago according to some of the photos.
COMMENT 298753	2012-07-18 07:49 AM
As a horse and bike rider, I am pretty sure it is legal to ride both (not at once) on the road. All traffic is required to travel at a speed so they can react safely to what is ahead. So, don't pass if not safe, and don't go so fast you can't react to anything that might come up in your way. As a bike rider, way too many cars think it their right to fly by just a foot away. The bike is within the law and the car should slow down, or even stop, if there is oncoming traffic, until it is safe to pass. All that said, I am, of course, very careful of where I ride. Don't want to be dead right. As an aside, a few years ago I rode a horse on the streets of Manhattan. That was engaging.
COMMENT 298758	2012-07-18 07:55 AM
Yeah, people do drive too fast... but cars also seem a lot faster when you are walking/biking/horseback riding....
COMMENT 298763	2012-07-18 08:13 AM
A lot of drivers need to get over themselves. It is completely legal to ride a horse or a bike on the entire 192/foothill/cathedral oaks. The issue is not that people use modes of transport other than cars. The issue is that so many driving cars are under the impression that they are the only ones trying to get somewhere. We all pay taxes, and horses and bikes don't tear up the road like cars and trucks.
COMMENT 298771	2012-07-18 08:33 AM
@763.... But they do pay registration fees and fuel tax something that bicycles and horses do not!
COMMENT 298776	2012-07-18 08:36 AM
Try the horse on the Freeway ,If you think the State HighWays Fun!
BECKY	2012-07-18 09:10 AM
683 & 763 both nailed it. I used to walk and bike a lot more places than I do now. I've lived here for >40 years. The drivers are so much ruder and more dangerous than they used to be. I should be able to walk or bike in many more places than I do, but I gave it up because I wanted to live. That doesn't mean the cars should have exclusive use of the roads. It means that bad drivers have precluded those using other modes of transportation from using the roads too. Pay attention. Share the road.
MTNDRIVER	2012-07-18 09:14 AM
I agree with most of the comments here that whatever the legal issues are and however true it is that drivers are often not courteous to bikes/motorcycles/pedestrians/horses, it is still not very sensible to ride on a road as narrow as what you have pictured, with virtually no shoulders. It wouldn't even be too smart for a person to walk on that road. It looks a bit like the section of Foothill just west of the intersection with Foothill Lane, not far from the SB Tennis Club. If that's where it is people drive very fast on that section of road, and that is indeed a blind corner. Not a good spot for horseback riding. I notice the OP said "foothill roads" not Foothill Rd, so perhaps this is another road? Stick to the trails. Horses aren't meant to walk on pavement!
COMMENT 298796	2012-07-18 09:14 AM
Of course drivers should slow down, just like the OP should not be riding a horse on this particular road. I'll wager $100 that the OP's horse left a few nice piles on the road too and they weren't cleaned up. Happy snarkin' Wednesday.
COMMENT 298802P	2012-07-18 09:19 AM
No, 763, the issue is that there are much, much better choices than riding a horse on 192, of all unsafe roads! If you read most of responses here, they agree with you that it is completely legal to do. Does that make it the right choice? No. Not a bit. This is on par with pedestrians who cross directly in front of cars just because they can. Sure, they are legally right, but what an idiotic reason to make a choice like that. Same goes here. There are literally thousands of other roads the OP could have chosen – doing something just because it’s within your legal right makes you a very silly person, and in this case one who is careless to the wellbeing of other people and to their horse. They deserve to be chastised for it BEFORE an accident occurs.
COMMENT 298763	2012-07-18 09:20 AM
771 - Gas and registration fees do not pay solely for the roadway maintenance, chp, traffic control, DMV, pollution control, CARB, EPA, roadway cleanup, etc. Your measly $100/year for registration and 35 cents a gallon does not cover that on its own. Theoretically, if everyone rode a bike or walked, you could do away with 4 government agencies right off the bat. Cars are extremely inefficient forms of transport, considering a 3000-5000 pound vessel must be moved every time a 100 to 200 pound person wants to go somewhere. This is not to say I hate all drivers, but the trend seems to be that the only way to improve traffic is to force those less desirable (bike, scooter, horse, pedestrian) forms off, so that people in cars are the only ones allowed. Entitled much?
COMMENT 298758	2012-07-18 09:25 AM
802P - I was going to say the same thing ... its the choice of road thats the problem.
COMMENT 298816	2012-07-18 09:33 AM
I'd like people to stop at stop signs. Complete stops. No roll throughs or non stops, but stop at the stop sign, assess the situation, and then proceed. You're supposed to stop at stop signs. As a pedestrian and cyclists I can't count on drivers to stop at stop signs. Californians are the worst, most inconsiderate drivers I've ever seen. I don't know why they're so rude and willing to break the law for something so simple and necessary.
COMMENT 298824	2012-07-18 09:48 AM
Write to your District Supervisor and make an official report. So when another person dies the family can sue and hopefully that next death will be enough to create change. Traffic on Foothill is very dangerous. How many deaths will it take? It's a shame.
COMMENT 298763	2012-07-18 10:18 AM
Well 802 and 758, how do I get downtown? Other than Cathedral oaks, the main thoroughfares for bikes are Hollister (worse), Calle Real (doesn't go all the way through), the bike path to Las Positas/Hope ranch (dangerous) or the 101. Take your pick. How do I also do training rides, which usually are in excess of 50 to 100 miles? I have the choice of the 101 north/south, or the 154. Stop acting like you have it so bad, I'm the one who runs the risk of getting hit so you can convenience yourself by speeding, texting, talking on the phone, or eating your food behind the wheel. And just because it is within your legal rights to drive a car doesn't mean you should do so all the time. Cars have been around about a century (less than .1% of human existence). We managed to survive without them long enough. 816 is also correct. Nobody should run stop signs. I say that to every crowd.
COMMENT 298841	2012-07-18 10:37 AM
298683, those same men also used to deny black people the right to vote. I prefer the "me generation."
COMMENT 298842	2012-07-18 10:39 AM
There are a lot of things we would like to change in this life. My wife used to ride her horse on Foothill when she was young. But to do the same today is suicidal for you and your horse. That's just reality and you are lucky to be here today.
COMMENT 298846	2012-07-18 10:45 AM
Sorry horseless carrige drivers, but the horse has the right of way. This is from the current California Vehicle Code: Caution in Passing Animals 21759. The driver of any vehicle approaching any horse drawn vehicle, any ridden animal, or any livestock shall exercise proper control of his vehicle and shall reduce speed or stop as may appear necessary or as may be signalled or otherwise requested by any person driving, riding or in charge of the animal or livestock in order to avoid frightening and to safeguard the animal or livestock and to insure the safety of any person driving or riding the animal or in charge of the livestock.
COMMENT 298851	2012-07-18 10:53 AM
Awesome. I'm going to start walking a herd of cows from mountain dr, down foothill, let em graze at the mission for a bit and head back.
COMMENT 298857	2012-07-18 11:08 AM
ok I just wanted some tips on speeders, I ride here 2-3 times a week, its my neighborhood, I have done so for 15 years,,, horses have the right of way, and FYI speeding is illegal, wow I am so glad I am a happy horse rider and not anything else
COMMENT 298688	2012-07-18 11:08 AM
Is the issue here one of road courtesy or of common sense? There is no defense for speeding along a winding route such as 192/150 as there are driveways and emerging traffic all along it. There is no defense for NASCAR wannabes practicing their skills by risking life and limb for countless others when they do so on closed race tracks. But at the same time walking your dog or horse or flock of sheep in the middle of said state route is equally insane and irresponsible. The photo by the OP shows them clearly in the middle of the traffic lane coming up on a blind curve. That is creating a hazard to traffic on the par of dropping a load of furniture in the middle of the road. How is that any more defensible than the speed demon? Each is acting in their own interest with no regard for others. Each is equally selfish, regardless of the legalities.
COMMENT 298763	2012-07-18 11:19 AM
688 - For the frequency of horseback riders I see on public roads, I'd hardly call this rarity being selfish. I live next to half a dozen residents with horses at the top of Fairview, and I see them walking around the neighborhood maybe twice a month. How many times do you drive your car in a day? You act as though you can isolate people on horses, bikes, skateboards, whatever, so that they may ride around their little designated area endlessly, but cannot have the luxury of traveling anywhere significant that cars can. THAT is selfish. As a bike rider, the sentiment I get is "Well we gave you 20 miles of bike lane, so stay off our 1000 miles of road."
COMMENT 298868	2012-07-18 11:35 AM
Just like a bicycle, any horse on a road belongs all the way to the far right of the lane. And in most places on that road, you don't even be on the pavement, you can ride on the dirt shoulder -- an option not available to cars. Sorry, it's the 21st Century and the roads are built and paved for cars, not horses. Horseback riders are engaging in a purely recreational activity and aren't in a position to demand road space --they're not trying to get to work or school, or delivering goods, and they really don't need flat, paved roads and driveways. There are safer options for horseback riding, use one of them.
COMMENT 298869	2012-07-18 11:35 AM
I would NEVER endanger my horse by riding along Foothill. Horses do not belong amongst the traffic on busy roads. I have no patience with the suburban horse owner and rider.
COMMENT 298846	2012-07-18 11:37 AM
Horseback riding, walking, and biking pre-date the invention of the automobile that is why the vehicle code is very specific. People riding or leading horses, donkeys, mules, camels, or even alpacas have the right of way like it or not. If you run into them or cause a rider to be thrown off you may be subject to criminal and / or civil prosecution. It is the same as hitting a pedestrian.
DILLYDALLY	2012-07-18 11:38 AM
Its not a matter of would, could, or should. It is a matter of what was the infrastructure designed for. The road in question is two narrow lanes with blind curves. Horses move much slower than a car traveling even at a reasonable speed and are wide enough that they are difficult to pass. This is a bad combination. Immagine a car traveling at 2 miles an hour on this road causing an accident, who is at fault? Speeding and reckless driving is never Ok, but this seems equally irresponsible.
COMMENT 298758	2012-07-18 11:52 AM
@763 Maybe you should talk to city leaders about widening that road and others so that you can ride your horse through SB. Come on. I don't see many people saying anything against the idea of riding a horse through town, the issue is that the roads arent wide enough, which poses a threat to the horse, rider, and people driving their cars & their passengers. That stretch of foothill is windy and narrow, its unsafe for cars, bikes, pedestrians and horses regardless of the speed the car is driving.
COMMENT 298688	2012-07-18 12:31 PM
8763... You don't see many house movers on the streets either but that doesn't entitle them to block the flow of traffic whenever they want. It's not a question of frequency but volume and common sense. You can ride your horse in your neighbourhood to your heart's content because they are low volume thoroughfares. You pose little to no danger or hazard to yourself or others. But we're talking about a high volume thoroughfare here with blind curves and way narrow stretches with little to no shoulders. Walking along this stretch is inviting disaster. Standing your ground because you can is only inviting a Darwin Award.
COMMENT 298802P	2012-07-18 12:48 PM
763, Horses and bikes are very different things. Like another commentor said, riding a horse is akin to dropping a load of furniture in the road or driving a small vehicle at a very slow speed. With a bicycle, you are adding max 50 lbs to your weight and minimum added mass. With a horse, we are talking a THOUSAND pounds and multiple feet of width. At the speeds on Foothill, an accident with a bicyclist would be catastrophic most likely only to the cyclist and their bicycle, perhaps some vehicle damage. An accident with a horse would be catastrophic to the cyclist, the bicycle, horse, the rider, the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle, and any passengers of the vehicle. That is a LOT of people and property to be destroying just because you want to pick what I would consider to be one of the top 5 most dangerous roads in this town. Again, legal yes, but commonsense-wise...wow. You sound very informed of your bike routes through town (wish some of the other bikers felt the same way!). As a fellow rider, I understand the road equality most cyclists seek - horses are just an entirely different story for the most part.
COMMENT 298846	2012-07-18 12:50 PM
House movers need a special permit to operate, that is a bad analogy. Some posters seem to think that equestrians are purposely blocking the road on a regular basis. I drive 192 almost every day. In the last five years I have had to slow way down and stop only once for a large group of riders that looked like they were using 192 to access a trail. The law is VERY clear on this issue. First, do not speed in general Then iIf you see riders on the road slow down use caution and look for their commands. They will appreciate it and so will you.
COMMENT 298763	2012-07-18 12:51 PM
It seems as though everyone except 846 doesn't seem to understand that not everyone requires a car to travel somewhere. I love how our society forces you to "get with the times" when you choose to do things the way they have been done for long before cars. The truth is, nobody cares about the other forms of transportation like bikes or foot, simply because cars are so commonplace. I'd be really interested to see what the sentiment would be like if gas were only reserved for the super rich and everyone was forced to walk or ride a bike. Would the roads still only be for cars, or would you all complain that you can't use the infrastructure that you also paid for? I never said anyone uses a horse to get to work, but I face the same issues the OP faces while trying to ride my bike on roads like foothill.
COMMENT 298940	2012-07-18 12:59 PM
I have a horse and ride on selected roads so I understand the desire to caution drivers but I have to say that seeing your picture made my blood go cold. Your precious horse will go where you guide him trusting you to not put him in peril. You are also putting drivers who are going the speed limit in danger by riding on that road with no shoulders and blind curves. I can't imagine how horrifying it would be to come around a corner at even 20 miles an hour and hit you. I would never get over it and you and your beautiful horse may not survive it. Please think!
COMMENT 298868	2012-07-18 01:16 PM
It's not the same issue as riding or walking to work, which lots of people do. The vehicle code is much more clear about bikes than it is about horses, and with good reason. Both bikes and cars (generally) need flat paved surfaces to get where they are going. Horses do not! (And as far as I understand, horses prefer dirt to asphalt.) And no, it's not about "get with the times", it's about paved roads. The only reason we have an extensive network of paved roads that connect to each other is for motorized vehicles. Nobody built or maintained our highway system for horses or bikes. As much as you may dislike cars, they are the reason we have so many roads to ride on.
COMMENT 298857	2012-07-18 02:14 PM
wow cant you just slow down to the legal limit??? My horse and I are not breaking the law and we were on 192 to get to another trail, and yes horses can walk on paved roads, ever seen a parade??? also what do you people think the carriage tie ups are for in SB???? here is a clue,,, Horses. My horse is shod to ride on pavement and she is extremely well trained. I feel bad for the posters who do not understand the laws or have respect for equestrians. I think many of you should read the DMV handbook, ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law and horses like pedestrians have the right of way on all roads except the freeway. I find it funny the comment about horse poop, I think the gas guzzlers that drive all over town do much more damage then any amount of horse poop on the road could do. thank you for the concern my horse is safe, how many horse accidents on the roads 0 how many speeding cars accidents happen every day. chill out people its a bloody pony
COMMENT 298846	2012-07-18 02:18 PM
In reality the road where the poster took the photo was built before the arrival of the automobile in Santa Barbara. In the late 19th century that was part of State Route 150. "The route was opened in 1897. Before the construction of US 101, it was part of the main highway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Originally, State Route 150 followed the alignment of State Route 192 through the Santa Barbara foothills and climbed up San Marcos Pass via the present-day route of State Route 154 before heading west on State Route 246, passing through Santa Ynez, Solvang, and Buellton and ending in Lompoc at State Route 1 (Cabrillo Highway)."
COMMENT 299007	2012-07-18 02:27 PM
857, even if all the cars are driving legally, that is still a foolhardy place for you and your horse. with all rules of the road being followed...you and your horse can still end up being a large crimson smear on that bank..........thats why they are called 'accidents'.
DILLYDALLY	2012-07-18 02:40 PM
Nobody justified speeding or reckless driving. Anything but crossing perpendicular to the road there would be a mistake while on a horse. If riding parallel to the road, as your picture indicates, there are many areas that a law abiding driver would cause an accident if they came upon you. That is the point being made over and over and over.... It can be hard to judge speed when on a road and not in a car, they look like they are flying by.
COMMENT 298716	2012-07-18 02:50 PM
Sorry OP, I think that you are endangering yourself, your precious horse and anyone else that is driving on that road. Going the speed limit and coming around a corner to find a horse walking in the road could be devestating and may not give a driver enough time to stop which could force them to crash to avoid you and the horse. We should all share the roads but use common sense while doing so! I would not walk down that road, although as a pedestrian I have the right of way, it's just not safe, there is no shoulder. You are not safe, you should be ticketed for endangering others!
COMMENT 299050	2012-07-18 04:02 PM
I used to power walk the Riviera hills until one day I decided to drive the same route as I walked. I realized from the drivers perspective just how much danger I was creating not only for myself, but for some poor unsuspecting driver on all those blind curves. I am now a "beach path" walker. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Use common sense, you only have one body and if you love your horse you would not put him in danger either.
COMMENT 298802P	2012-07-18 04:03 PM
OP/857, you are completely missing the point. The legality is not the problem here.
COMMENT 298717	2012-07-18 04:51 PM
There is no shoulder to get a little bit out of the way. Looks like a scar on the horses' ear.
COMMENT 299149	2012-07-18 07:09 PM
Like another poster said, the horse is being ridden solely for recreation, not needed transportation to feed your family. If my friends and I wanted to play a game of football in the middle of the street - legal or not - it'd be a stupid idea.
COMMENT 299151	2012-07-18 07:21 PM
I own several horses and I wouldn't dream of riding them on ANY street. Paved roads are for bicycles and cars, dirt trails are for horses. They just aren't worth mixing.
COMMENT 298716	2012-07-19 11:54 AM
I imagine that the horse rider didn't get the response that they were hoping for. I hope that that drivers are extra paranoid now on these roads because you never know when you may encounter a horse in the middle of the road and I hope that horse owners are extra careful to avoid the roads that don't have a shoulder or a path to the side (bike path, sidewalk, trail, etc.) where they can safely move with their horse to avoid being in the way of unsuspecting motorists.
COMMENT 298690	2012-07-19 05:48 PM
beating a dead horse! well almost

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