When you mount a horse as a rider, that does not make you a mere passenger. The horse is not going to autonomously take you where you need to go. A horse is not going to voluntarily go onto a major boulevard as if it was just another car. You will need to essentially “drive” the horse, therefore you now assume the role of being a driver and become responsible for where that horse goes.
And we were in the next pasture....He stopped at the gates...and I opened them...then closed them. And got back on....
This was in the pitch black too. Got home.,,and put the horse away...and got in my bed.
Respectfully disagree. In most cases, the rider is guiding the horse, but if the horse spooks at something, horses have no concept of “traffic isn’t safe” or “that’s a major roadway.” (Lifelong rider here). They are prey animals and will flee headlong without regard for anything except escaping whatever frightens them.
(WARNING: Graphic and very disturbing video of a horse hit by a car after the rider fell off) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkd3yMCuY3Y&t=205s