How to stay safe while riding on roads in modern day Britain *H&H Plus*

Road safety

A highway is not a horse’s natural habitat, and many drivers are unfamiliar with equines, but you can reduce the risk of riding on the roads. Briony Reed finds out how

Road riding is no one’s first choice, but is often a necessary evil. Keeping yourself and your horse safe is crucial, and as our roads get ever busier it makes sense to ramp up your precautions to the maximum.

Prepare yourself and your horse before you even set hoof on the tarmac. Alan Hiscox, director of safety at the British Horse Society (BHS), says: “It is important to familiarise yourself with the Highway Code and follow its guidance on how you should behave on the road and interact with other road users. Make sure you can control your horse and, if your horse is nervous, ride with horses who are confident on the roads.

“Train your horse to stand, so that if any difficulties arise you can deal with them while the horse is still.”

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