SMALL BITES

Did you know?

It is mandatory for children under the age of 14 to wear protective headgear when riding a horse on the road.

Fluorescent and Reflective how they work

Fluorescent reacts to the ultra-violet rays in sunlight, which makes it glare.

Reflective materials work only at dusk/night and reflect the light straight back to drivers.

To be safe wear clothing which combines elements of both materials.

Riding & Road Safety Test

If you are interested in taking the test dates and venues can be found on the BHS website or we can arrange to come to you providing a suitable venue is found and there are at least 8 candidates.

If you would like an evening talk or practical day please contact me.

A Road Safety Day is

being planned in the spring at Westpoint nr Exeter, I hope to include all aspects of Safety including trailer checks, trailer towing, hi-viz wear and demonstrations on how to ride safely on the road. Keep an eye on the EVENTS page for details and date.

OVER 50% of road accidents involving horses happen on minor rural roads.

Editorial from Carole

Autumn is upon us and the season brings with it the usual hazards! mornings of mist, days of winds and the depositing of leaves on our already slippery lanes and roads add to the problems of exercising our horses.

It may well be necessary when we are riding to position ourselves slightly further away from the left hand side of the road to avoid not only the leaves but the open drains and manhole covers that they hide. This makes it even more important that we make every effort to be seen by other road users, which brings us back to

 The Official Highway Code Rule 50 " You should wear Light Coloured or Fluorescent clothing in daylight; Reflective clothing in poor visibility".

There are so many good products on the market for your horse and yourself; for only a small financial outlay you will help to avoid, at the very least, an accident.

Your horse looks to you to look after him!

Can I also draw your attention to Rule 51 "It is safer not to ride on the road at night or in poor visibility, but if you do, make sure you wear reflective clothing and your horse has reflective bands above the fetlock joints. A light which shows white to the front and red to the rear should be fitted, with a band, to the riders right arm and/or leg/riding boot. If you are leading a horse at night, carry a light in your right hand, showing white to the front and red to the rear and wear reflective clothing on both you and your horse. It is strongly recommended that a fluorescent/reflective tail guard is also worn by your horse".

Over the course of the next few months I thought it would be helpful if I discussed a variety of scenarios, from junctions to emergency dismounts, in line with The Official Highway Code and The Riding & Road Safety Manual.