30/10/2024
We are reposting another ‘Safety Around Horses’ on our page due to an incident reported on the Wingerworth village FB page.
We would also like to mention that, not only is it the responsibility of the car driver to manoeuvre safely, but it is also the responsibility of the horse rider to also ensure that they contribute in helping motorists to pass safely and being alert to the dangers around them.
Here are a few tips for drivers passing horses.
Slow down to a maximum of 10mph and be ready to stop
Be patient – DO NOT sound your horn or rev your engine
Watch out for signals from the rider to slow down or stop
Pass the horse wide and slow, allowing at least a car’s width if possible
Accelerate gently once you’ve passed the horse
Additional tips for cyclists passing horses.
Horses have a blind spot directly behind them and therefore cyclists should slow down and alert riders to their presence by calling out and asking if it is safe to pass
Whether passing from the front or back, please slow down and pass wide when safe to do so.
Additional tips for bikers passing horses.
Motorbikes can seem to appear from nowhere, are often noisy and can alarm horses if they approach from behind due to the horse’s blind spot. This means horses sometimes react to them more than other vehicles.
Please slow down, and keep your engine as quiet as possible as you pass.
Please be prepared to stop and turn your engine off.
Please remember that
Many horse riders are children or teenagers
Horse riders sometimes ride in double file to protect novice riders or nervous horses
Horses can be easily spooked, frightened, and can occasionally panic in traffic
Riders will generally smile, nod or thank drivers with a wave.
Thank you.