Tragedy as Four Horses Killed in Just Six Weeks on British Roads

The British Horse Society is warning drivers to be vigilant on roads after four horses were struck and killed by cars in just six weeks. The incidents, which took place in Cumbria, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, and Leicestershire, all occurred during daylight hours, while the riders wore Hi-Viz and with the car driven straight into the back of the horse.  All four riders were injured, with two requiring hospital treatment.

Statistics released by The British Horse Society in November showed road incidents involving horses and vehicles are continuing to rise, with 1037 incidents reported to the equine charity over the past year. Francesca and Bert (pictured below) were sadly struck by a car when riding on the road, and while the young rider recovered, unfortunately, the same could not be said for her beloved horse – you can read their story here.

Of the 1037 reported incidents, 81% of them occurred due to vehicles passing by too closely and close to half were subject to road rage.

The charity is urging drivers to be careful when passing horses on the road and encouraging them to adhere to its Dead Slow campaign messages.

Dead Slow was launched to help better educate drivers on how to safely pass horses on the road. The campaign consists of four key behavioural change messages to drivers:

If I see a horse on the road then I will …

1. Slow down to a maximum of 15mph
2. Be patient – I won’t sound my horn or rev my engine
3. Pass the horse wide and slow, (if safe to do so) at least 2 metres or a car’s width if possible
4. Drive slowly away

Alan Hiscox, Director of Safety at The British Horse Society said:

The incidents that have taken place over the past six weeks have been both tragic and extremely concerning. We are asking all drivers to slow and adhere to our Dead Slow messages. Understandably, all the owners effected are highly emotional. Speaking to them, it is clear the lasting impact losing their horse in these circumstances will have on their lives.”

Year on year we have witnessed an increase in the number of road incidents involving horses being reported to us. With 81% of the incidents reported to us having occurred due to vehicles passing too close it is evident that there is still a great need for better education on how to safely pass horses on the road. It is also deeply concerning that close to half of riders were subject to road rage. We all have a right to use the roads and no one should face abuse for exercising this right”

The BHS encourages all riders to report their incidents to the charity, at horseincidents.org.uk

NATIONAL STATISTICS: 2019 – 2020

• 1,037 road incidents involving horses have been reported to The British Horse Society
• Of these, 80 horses have died and 136 have been injured
• 1 person has lost their life and 135 have been injured because of road incidents
• 43% of riders were victims to road rage or abuse
• 81% of incidents occurred because a vehicle passed by too close to the horse
• 40% of incidents occurred because a vehicle passed by too quickly

COMPARED TO LAST YEAR:

• 23% increase compared to 2018-2019 (845 in 2018-2019)

SINCE NOVEMBER 2010:

• 4,774 road incidents
• 44 people have lost their lives and 1220 injured
• 395 horses have been killed and 1,080 horses injured

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Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.