A horse rider has recalled a terrifying near miss on a rural UK road while out hacking with a friend and their horses, sparking renewed calls for better driver awareness around horses.
The rider, who wishes to remain anonymous, described how a car sped past them at high speed, narrowly missing both riders and their mounts.
“It was absolutely terrifying. The horse spooked badly and it could have been a serious accident. If the car had been just a little closer, we could have been thrown onto the road,” they said.
Despite clear visibility and the riders wearing high-visibility clothing, the driver failed to slow down or give the recommended wide berth, breaching the Highway Code guidelines, which state motorists should pass horses at no more than 10mph and leave at least two metres of space.
The British Horse Society (BHS) has long campaigned for more awareness, noting that two riders are injured every day on UK roads, according to recent statistics. In 2024, more than 3,500 incidents involving horses were reported to the BHS.
Road Safety Reminder for Drivers:
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Slow down to 10mph or less when passing horses.
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Leave at least a two-metre distance.
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Be patient and avoid revving your engine or sounding your horn.
The BHS’s Dead Slow campaign continues to urge all road users to respect vulnerable riders and animals on shared roads.
The horse rider added:
We love our horses and just want to enjoy them safely. We are not trying to block the roads — just sharing them responsibly.”
Authorities and equestrian groups are calling for greater enforcement of the Highway Code’s rules around horse rider safety, especially in rural communities where incidents remain common.
