HORSES and ponies rode through rural Essex villages to raise awareness about the laws for safely overtaking horses on the roads.

Riders from Finchingfield, Cornish Hall End and Great Bardfield say they have reported a "shocking increase" in near misses with motor vehicles when out hacking.  

One of the organisers of the event Jules Millar said “We all know somebody who’s had an accident.

“It’s quite frightening when you can hear cars and motorbikes coming at speed and you know they’re not going to see you until they’re upon you.

“Drivers are not anticipating that around a blind bend there might be a horse and a rider on it, or a farm tractor, or a child on a bike, and they’re coming round a bend at 40-60 miles per hour.

“I feel terrified.”  

Hacking - Horses need to go out for exercise, and there have been more and more reports of near misses with vehicles. Hacking - Horses need to go out for exercise, and there have been more and more reports of near misses with vehicles. (Image: Jules Millar)

Statistics from the British Horse Society show three people have died and 94 people were injured in road traffic incidents involving horses and cars in the UK in 2023.

Figures also show 66 horses were killed on the roads in the whole of the UK in 2023, with 86 horses injured.

Mr Millar said: “Horses need to be exercised. Similar to the requirement to walk a dog every day, horses need exercise to keep fit and healthy.

“The Dead Slow campaign is a good way of educating drivers to slow down on country roads, which we all have to use in harmony.”

The campaign is run by the British Horse Society (BHS) with the aim to reduce the number of incidents and fatalities involving horses and riders on the road.

It also looks to educate road users and campaign to make drivers aware of what to do if they encounter a horse on the road.

Report - The British Horse Society urges horse riders to report incidents on the Horse i app. Report - The British Horse Society urges horse riders to report incidents on the Horse i app. (Image: Jules Millar)

Alan Hiscox, director of safety for the BHS, said: “When vehicles pass horses on the roads, its vitally important that they adhere to the British Horse Society’s ‘Dead Slow’ messages, which are now included in the Highway Code.

“If you see a horse on the road, slow down to a maximum of ten miles an hour, be patient, don’t sound your horn or rev your engine.

“When safe to do so, pass slow and wide, at least 2m distance, and drive slowly away.”

He added: “We would like horse riders to let us know of any incident via our app, Horse i, which is detailed on our BHS website.”

Visit bhs.org.uk for more on the Dead Slow campaign, the charity’s work, and its incident reporting app.