Driving in Colts Neck? Be Aware of Horses and Their Riders

By: Susan Murphy | June 29, 2021 |  Local |  Colts Neck

Colts Neck resident Connie DeMaio is a second-generation horsewoman who started riding at a young age; her father was a Standardbred trainer in town.

She currently has a small facility in Colts Neck where locals board their horses. “We love to ride our horses as a group at least once a week to Bucks Mill Park and down Mercer Road to Hominy Hill trails,” she said. Most recently, Connie and her friends have encountered a great amount of road rage.

“Colts Neck was built around the horses and the farms here and that’s why we love this town,” Connie shared. She noted that road rage has always been a problem, but recently it has been excessive and dangerous. “We feel drivers aren’t educated as to what to do when they see a horse and rider on the road.” According to NJ State Statue Title 39: 4-72, horses have the right of way.

Horses are flight animals and can easily be spooked. “Although our horses are highly trained, you just never know. We always ride with traffic, and make sure to go in a single file line when there are cars coming up behind us. However, since horses are prey animals, almost anything, even a plastic bag can get them to react. Their reaction is often to bolt away from whatever they are scared of, and sadly this sometimes means further into the road. Drivers get impatient when a horse gets this way, and sometimes it may take a minute to get the horse to calm down,” she said. She noted that on many occasions, drivers have come very close to the horse and rider, tried to pass them, honked their horns, and yelled at them, during which time the rider is trying to calm down a 1000-pound animal that is frightened.

“We would like to encourage drivers to slow down if they see a horse in the road, and to let the rider wave the car by when it is safe. We do not ever want to hold up traffic but there are times when it is out of our control,” Connie explained. Other safety ways to share the road with horse riders/ handlers include: never honk your horn; provide extra space between you and the horse; pass slowly and quietly only when it is safe and the rider/ handler gives a signal; be patient; and always remember to be cautious, as the behavior of the horse may change in a split second. “On our last ride, when we were crossing the Bucks Mill Road bridge by the water mill, a man got out of his car and proceeded to scream at the group,” said Connie.

So, drivers, please be aware of your speed before and after passing a horse and rider; do not “gun it” after you have passed; and above all, be cautious and patient. Your cooperation and kindness will avert any serious accidents.