10 April 2006

As the main campaigning group for equestrians in the UK, the BHS works tirelessly to encourage the Government and local authorities to consider the safety of horses, riders and carriage drivers on the roads. To do this, the safety department needs to gather as much information as possible on the frequency and type of horse-related accidents occurring. If you have been involved in an accident, please complete the online report form on the main BHS site, which you can access by clicking the link below. We hope you will never have to do this, but if you have had a bad experience, your information could help in the campaign to stop the same thing happening to other riders and their horses.

BHS ACCIDENT REPORT FORM

The BHS Riding and Road Safety Test is taken by over 4,000 candidates a year and helps to educate riders in order to minimise the risk involved when riding on the roads. Training is available to all riders from 12 years of age and the test is supported by the DETR. It is the only test that any rider will undertake that has the potential not only to save their own life but that of their horse as well.

It is not essential to own a horse in order to take the test, as many riding schools and centres organise them for their pupils. If you have a group of people interested, our examiners may well be able to come to you, subject to an assessment of the yard and surrounding roads for suitability.
In Bucks, there are regular training sessions and tests according to demand. Susan Gibson, the Riding & Road Safety Officer, heads a dedicated team of instructors who will train you in the vital knowledge you need to ride a horse safely on the roads. Please contact Susan (details on the Committee page) if you are interested in doing the training, or if you simply have any questions about riding and road safety.