Keep Yourself and Your Horse Safe on the Roads
Keep Yourself and Your Horse Safe on the Roads Many of us would rather not have to ride on the roads but often there is no choice if we want to reach bridleways or other off road options. | |
Regardless of weather conditions or time of day ALWAYS wear reflective clothing. It may seem odd to do this in the height of the summer but if you are on a road and go into dark shady patches you run the risk of not being seen by a motorist.
If you are an inexperienced rider or on an inexperienced horse always have someone experienced with you until you feel both you and your horse are confident enough to deal with all the potential hazards of sharing the road with motorists.
 Make sure drivers can see you even in the summer | Regardless of how experienced you are ALWAYS wear a helmet and ideally a body protector. The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) advise "When planning to purchase safety equipment such as hats or body protectors, you should choose a stockist qualified by BETA to advise on whether the product fits properly and is manufactured to the latest safety standard. All the above applies to walking horses in hand on the roads and carriage drivers as well. You and your horses and ponies are just as vulnerable. Horses that shy at objects like plastic bags in hedge will need extra help and understanding. Work with different objects at home before you go on to roads. If your horse reacts don't make an issue of it or you can cause them to worry and panic even more. Always stay calm and encouraging. If you cannot do this then you should NOT be riding or carriage driving on the roads. |
|  Carriage drivers and their horses are just as vulnerable |
- Riding two abreast can be useful, especially if one of the riders or horses is inexperienced, but riders should return to single file where the road narrows and when approaching bends.
- Riders should not carry passengers, or anything which might affect their balance or become tangled in the reins. They should keep both hands on the reins, except when signaling, and both feet in the stirrups.
- Where possible, riders should avoid busy, high speed roads and difficult junctions, such as roundabouts.
- Riders should be courteous to other road users, and thank drivers who have slowed down for them.
RoSPA's advice for Motorists
- Motorists should understand the needs and vulnerability of riders and horses, and behave courteously towards them at all times. Horses are large, powerful animals and a collision with one poses considerable risk to the motor vehicle and its occupants, as well as to the horse and rider.
- Drivers should be aware that riders are often children, and therefore, less experienced as both road users and horse riders. Horses themselves may be inexperienced and nervous of traffic.
- Drivers should watch out for horses on the road, especially when approaching bends and on narrow rural roads. They should always slow down when seeing a horse and drive past slowly, giving them plenty of room and being ready to stop if necessary. Drivers should never sound their horn or rev their engine near horses.
- Motorists should be aware that when turning right, riders will not move to the centre of the road, but stay on the left until they reach the point where they intend to turn. Drivers should also be aware that horse riders behave differently from other traffic at roundabouts. Riders will not normally signal on approach, but will stay on the left within the roundabout until they reach their exit, and then signal left. They may signal right when approaching and passing exits they do not intend to take.
- Riders are seated higher than drivers and often, therefore, have a better view and may be able to see a hazard the driver cannot see. Drivers should look out for signals from horse riders and be ready to slow down or stop as indicated.
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Added on: 13/02/09.
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