According to the BHS (British Horse Society), from the 3,118 incidents that were recorded in 2024, 81% of these occurred because a driver passed either too quickly or too closely.
As these figures reveal, it鈥檚 important that all road users approach horses safely and pass them with care.聽
Even though horses are large and powerful animals, they can also be gentle giants and very nervous. Being flight animals, if they perceive something as a threat, they may react quickly to move away.
Even the most experienced and well-trained horses can be startled by unexpected movements or loud noises, such as a tractor or large farm vehicles. 聽
Equestrians often have to use public roads to reach an off-road route or to connect one bridleway to another, underpinning the importance of everyone playing their part to make sure everybody remains safe while out and about. 聽
Dead Slow campaign
The BHS encourages all road users to adhere to its campaign messages.
The campaign consists of four key messages to drivers when approaching/passing a horse, whether ridden, driven or led:聽
- Slow down to a maximum of 10mph聽
- Be patient 鈥� sounding the horn or revving the engine may startle the horse聽
- Pass the horse wide and slow (if safe to do so), at least a car鈥檚 width (if possible)聽
- Drive slowly away聽
The equine charity has also set out some further tips to follow when encountering a horse on the road:聽
- Take notice of a rider or carriage driver鈥檚 signal if they ask you to stop or slow down.聽
- If a rider or carriage driver is signalling to turn, please wait patiently for them to complete their manoeuvre before continuing your journey. If the horse(s) show signs of nervousness as you get closer, stop and/or turn the engine off and allow them to pass.聽
- Please don鈥檛 start your engine or move off again until the horse(s) is clear of the rear end of the vehicle.聽
- If a road is narrow and there is not enough room to pass safely, approach slowly, or stop to give them time to find a gateway or other place off the road where there will be enough space between the horse and vehicle to allow you to pass safely. 聽
- Please be patient. Most equestrians will do their best to reassure their horses and will allow you to pass as soon as it鈥檚 safe to do so.聽
The BHS offers advice for equestrians to follow as well, when out with their horse, including wearing hi-vis and reflective equipment as well as using the appropriate signals to make other road users aware of their intentions to manoeuvre. 聽
For more information about how to pass equestrians safely, visit:
