17/08/2025
After hearing of local incidents involving horses + drivers, a very scary account of horse vs bus elsewhere in Scotland, and a horse being killed + 3 young riders hospitalised down south this week alone, I felt sad, and concerned. This week isn't the exception to the rule - 58 horses were killed, and 80 riders were injured on the roads in 2024, with over 3000 incidents reported to the British Horse Society. A further awful and terrifying statistic is that 3 riders were killed on the roads in 2023.
Unfortunately, any and all 'horses on the roads' posts seem to receive the same comments, so in anticipation of these, here goes....
🐴 Horse riders would love to not have to go on the roads, but sometimes it is unavoidable to access safer off road riding, or it is the only option to keep horses exercised because no other facilities are available.
🐴 Very few equestrians are rich landowners - 99% rent a stable and field space from a livery yard, and sacrifice holidays, nights out and mental health to tend to the needs of their overgrown hamsters with a death wish, who literally 💩 out the money put in to them
🐴 Horses are flight animals and even the most well trained + safe animals can be unpredictable, and move incredibly fast. They should always be considered as a potential hazard
🐴 Most of us who ride, also drive, so yes, we pay road tax too
Horse riders aren't asking for much. We just want to be able to ride safely on the roads without the fear of not knowing if we will get home in one piece. Even if you don't care about causing injury/death to a horse and/or their rider, half a tonne of horse wearing metal shoes landing on your bonnet is definitely going to stop you from arriving at your destination at your desired speed, and write off your car in the process. Those 5 seconds you might save from speeding past won't matter when you have to spend hours with the police explaining why you thought your time was more important than someones life.
The solution is so simple. As per the highway code, horses should be passed at a speed of 10mph or less, with a gap of at least 2m between your vehicle and the horse. Where possible, coming to a stop is even better, but only if its safe to do so. Familiarise yourself with arm signals so you know that we aren't practicing a tiktok dance when you see us wildly flapping. And even when it's a wide road, the same rules apply. But that's it. Slow down. Gives us space. Be patient. No squished horses, no squished riders, no squished cars - wins all round 👍
A few moments of your time and a little consideration can literally be the difference between life and death, and that goes for all non-motorised road users. We really don't want to be there, but thank those who allow us to be on the roads in a safer way.
And if this is shared, it would be great if it could be read knowing that its intention is purely to bring a little awareness to the correct way to pass horses, so everyone can be safer - its not to berate anyone. When you pass a rider, thats someones parent, child, sibling, spouse or friend just trying to enjoy their pet, not spoil your day 👍
