September 3, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
Proposed Changes to the British Highway Code
The UK Government has proposed a change to the British Highway Code to forbid horses being ridden two abreast on narrow or busy roads or around bends. The British Horse Society and Association of British Drivers have asked the Government to reconsider the change as they think this will lead to more accidents.
While riding two abreast can help with the training of younger horses in traffic, I also think that it is not always sensible. In some cases, having the younger horse behind and to the inside of an older horse can work equally well. Also it is often possible to ride one horse on the road and one on the grass verge, which I assume will still be OK.
Narrow and twisty roads always have to be ridden very carefully. The best advice is to always ride in a luminous jacket so you can be easily seen and be aware of the best days and times to ride on certain roads. While I try to avoid busy times and busy roads as much as possible, drivers still need to slow down and give any horse an appropriate amount of room, in the same way as a cyclist or motorbike.
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