Most car drivers understand the need to pass a horse ‘wide and slow’. Unfortunately, for some motorists, the message doesn’t seem to have got through.
Statistics from The British Horse Society reveal 58 horses died and 97 were injured on UK roads in 2024. A total of 80 people were injured, too. Some 3,118 incidents were reported to the equine charity over the 12-month period, with 81 percent due to vehicles passing too closely.
The deaths and injuries come despite new Highway Code guidance for equestrians, introduced in 2022. This states that vehicles must pass horses at no more than 10mph, and at a minimum distance of two metres.
The British Horse Society outlines four simple steps to take when passing a horse on the road:
Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has also issued advice on how to pass a horse safely on the road. It says drivers should expect the unexpected, and give the horse and rider plenty of room.
Jaimi McIlravey, a horse rider and digital content executive at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Please continue to be careful when driving close to horses. From personal experience, it’s not always a car that will spook a horse.
“You may be driving safely with enough gap between yourself and a horse and rider. However, something else may scare them, so be sure to stay alert.”
Here are some easy-to-follow tips for passing a horse or group of riders on the road:
If you are approaching a horse from the other side of the road, slow down and consider the use of hazard warning lights to alert any drivers behind you.
Above all, be patient and respectful. Saving a few seconds off your journey could endanger the life of a horse and its rider.
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