responsible road sharing
The Highway Code states that road users should be particularly careful of horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles – especially when approaching, overtaking, passing or moving away.
You should always pass a horse wide and slowly – this means a maximum of 10mph and leaving at least two metres of space between your vehicle and the horse.
Please be patient – do not sound your horn or rev your engine, and only overtake when it is safe to do so.
Horse riders are often children, so take extra care and remember riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider. Look out for horse riders and horse drivers’ signals and heed a request to slow down or stop.
Feral or semi-feral ponies found in areas such as the Exmoor and Dartmoor require the same consideration as ridden horses when approaching or passing.
Take great care and treat all horses as a potential hazard; they can be unpredictable, despite the efforts of their rider/driver. Remember there are three brains at work when you pass a horse; the rider’s, the driver’s and the horse’s. Do not forget horses are flight animals and can move incredibly quickly if startled.
The British Horse Society has lots of helpful hints and tips to keep you horse riders safe on the road – as well as advice for drivers when they encounter horses on the road.
