Safe roads, safe horses: United action on a growing concern

THE police and two leading equine welfare charities have joined forces to help cut collisions and near-misses involving horses on rural roads.

A collection of short, practical films shot in the South West explain exactly how riders, handlers and drivers can share the roads safely and what the Highway Code really means for equine road users.

Devon and Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs team and British Horse Society (BHS) are featured in the new series of bite-sized horse road safety films produced by The Mare and Foal Sanctuary.

The films are designed for sharing across rural and equine communities on social media and the internet. 

Filmed at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s Upcott Park Rehoming Yard near Holsworthy, North Devon, the videos give clear, easy-to-follow guidance for riders and people leading horses on the roads, as well as vital reminders for drivers passing horses.

The content focuses on road etiquette, clear hand signals, safe passing distance and speed, visibility in all weather and light conditions and recording and reporting incidents. 

The films feature PC Lucy Wyatt, from Devon & Cornwall Police’s Rural Affairs team, and Lisa Supple, development officer for BHS, as well as horses and handlers from The Mare and Foal Sanctuary demonstrating best practice.

High-visibility clothing and equipment were supplied by Redpost Equestrian based at Littlehempston near Totnes. 

Recent discussions in Westminster have underlined just how urgent this awareness work is. In a Parliamentary debate on horse and rider safety last month, MPs from across the country called for stricter road safety requirements to protect equine road users.

Citing British Horse Society figures showing 3,118 road incidents involving horses in 2024, with 58 horses killed, MPs highlighted that equine road safety is not a “niche issue” but a growing national concern. 

The South West’s particular challenges were brought into focus, with discussion of regular deaths and injuries of semi-feral Dartmoor ponies in road collisions and calls for more localised speed limits on routes used by riding schools.

MPs stressed that bigger, faster cars and low driver awareness are putting riders, handlers and horses at risk on rural roads.

They acknowledged that “more action is needed” and committed to working with stakeholders to improve safety, reinforcing the importance of collaborative, practical initiatives. 

Jenna Goldby, head of welfare and rehoming at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary, believes all riders and handlers should regularly review and refresh their knowledge of road safety. 

“Every ride or walk on the road carries risk, and we all need to treat road safety as seriously as we do our horse’s health and keep up to date with changes and new advice," she said.

"Keeping yourself and your horse safe are top priorities, and a small amount of knowledge and planning can make a massive difference. Be seen, be courteous and stay safe.

"As a charity, we work closely with other organisations and, in partnership, we’re proud to be part of sharing these vital messages and championing equine welfare and safety on the roads for all users.” 

PC Wyatt, lead for Equine Crime at Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “I grew up riding horses and have experienced, first-hand, how dangerous it can be when motorists pass too fast or too close. 

"When approaching horses and riders on the road, drivers should slow down to no more than ten miles per hour, avoid revving their engine or honking their horn and then pass slowly when safe to do so, allowing least two metres of space between the horse and vehicle.” 

 Anyone with dash-cam or helmet-cam footage of vehicles passing too close or too fast can submit it for police review via Operation Snap: https://roadsafety.devon-cornwall.police.uk/operations/operation-snap/ 

PC Wyatt added: “We are committed to reducing the number of people and animals killed or seriously injured on our roads and will continue to work with partner organisations to educate motorists about the importance of passing horses wide and slow. 

"Everyone has a right to use the road. Let's look out for one another and make sure everyone gets home safely.” 

Alan Hiscox, director of safety at BHS, said: “It’s been great to partner with Devon and Cornwall Police and The Mare and Foal Sanctuary to produce these informative videos.

"Our key priority is the safety of the horse, rider or carriage driver, and it’s incredibly important that we continue to work collectively together to share the Dead Slow behavioural messages with all road users.

"Secondly, encouraging more equestrians to record every incident they witness, or are involved in, will be essential when it comes to driving further legislative change. 

"It’s simple to do - all we ask is that you download the Horse i app and record any encounters you may experience. Let’s keep working together to champion equestrian safety.” 

Two safety films - Safety First: Stay Seen, Stay Safe and Essential Etiquette: Follow the Road Code - are now available on The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/mareandfoalsanctuary

The films are designed to be easily shared by local community groups, parish councils, livery yards, riding clubs, schools and rural businesses across the South West and beyond.

A bite-sized series of films is also being shared across The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s social media platforms. For more information, visit www.mareandfoal.org