Safety tips for riders

Your riding hat

Riding hats are designed to minimise head injuries, but the British Horse Society is clear that no hat can be guaranteed to protect every rider in every circumstance. Its advice:

• Buy new, from a reputable shop, and have it fitted by someone with British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) training. Every head is a different shape, so you may need to try a few.
• Don't buy second-hand. You can't see damage with the naked eye.
• Look for a quality assurance mark, such as a BSI Kitemark or SEI mark, alongside the label showing the standard the hat is tested to. BETA says a hat with a quality mark can be viewed as safer than one to the same standard without.
• Wear it fastened, every time you ride. It doesn't matter whether the hat is expensive or plain, as long as it meets an accepted standard.

Looking after it

• Keep it out of direct sunlight for long periods, which can reduce its protection.
• If it gets wet, let it dry naturally. Don't put it on a radiator.
• Handle it carefully: every drop or knock can weaken it.
• Replace it after a fall, especially if it hit the ground.

The law on the road

Highway Code rule 49 says children under 14 must wear a riding helmet that complies with the regulations, securely fastened, when riding on the road, and other riders should do the same. It doesn't apply to a Sikh child wearing a turban.

If you compete, check your discipline's rule book, the Pony Club's or British Riding Clubs' rules for which hat standards are accepted.

Body protectors

A body protector is designed to protect you from injuries from a fall or a kick. The BHS says no body protector can prevent serious injury in every situation, but it can increase your chances of staying alive and reduce how badly you're hurt.

• Get it fitted, ideally by someone with BETA training. Wear what you'll ride in to the fitting: if you'll wear it over a jacket, take the jacket.
• Choose level 3. Most body protectors meet EN13158 and one of three BETA levels. The BHS always recommends level 3, which gives the best protection and meets the requirements of every equestrian discipline.
• Air jackets inflate as the rider falls. The BHS points out that they don't currently meet any recognised safety standard, give little protection on their own, and offer little if any protection against kicks. Manufacturers say they should ideally be worn over a level 3 body protector.

Hi-vis and lights

The BHS recommends wearing hi-vis and lights whenever you ride, on or off the road, whatever the time of day, season or weather:

• At a minimum, a hi-vis jacket or tabard for you and leg bands for your horse.
• LED lights if possible, ideally placed to show your width, such as on your shoulders and your horse's flanks.
• Choose a colour that stands out against the background you'll ride past, such as hedges.
• Look for clothing made to EN 17353:2020, the standard for leisure riders.

Off the road, hi-vis means dog walkers, runners and cyclists see you sooner, low-flying aircraft and helicopter pilots can spot you up to half a mile sooner, and if you fall in open countryside, you're likely to be found sooner.

Before you set off

• Check your tack fits and is in good condition. See Tack and equipment.
• Tell someone where you're going and how long you'll be, so they can raise the alarm if you don't come back.
• Take a charged mobile phone, for emergencies only: don't use it while riding on the road.
• Plan new routes with an Ordnance Survey map.
• Useful extras: the BHS suggests a folding hoof pick and some baling twine in your pocket, and a leather headcollar under the bridle with a lead rope clipped to the saddle, in case you need to lead your horse.
• Don't ride out at night or in poor visibility if you can avoid it.

Riding on the road

The Highway Code has rules for riders (rules 49 to 55). Before taking a horse on the road, make sure your tack fits and is in good condition and that you can control the horse. If your horse is nervous of traffic, ride with other, less nervous horses. Never ride without both a saddle and a bridle.

When riding on the road, you should:

• keep to the left
• keep both hands on the reins unless you're signalling, and both feet in the stirrups
• look behind you before moving off or turning, then give a clear arm signal
• not carry another person, or anything that could affect your balance or get tangled in the reins
• keep a horse you're leading on your left
• never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and round bends.

You must not take a horse onto a footpath or pavement, and you shouldn't ride on a cycle track. Use bridleways where you can, and equestrian crossings where they're provided. Avoid roundabouts if possible. If you must use one, keep to the left, signal right across exits you're not taking, and signal left just before you leave.

The Highway Code says boots or shoes should have hard soles and heels, and you should wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing at night or in poor visibility. If you must ride at night, your horse needs reflective bands above the fetlocks and you need a light showing white to the front and red to the rear, fitted with a band to your right arm or leg.

What drivers should do

Since January 2022, the Highway Code (rule 215) tells drivers who see a horse on the road to slow down to a maximum of 10 mph, be patient, not sound the horn or rev the engine, and when it's safe, pass wide and slow, leaving at least 2 metres. It also reminds drivers that riders may ride two abreast when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider. The BHS notes that the updated code's hierarchy of road users lists pedestrians as the most vulnerable, followed by horses and cyclists, and that those who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger.

Be polite: the BHS suggests making eye contact with drivers and thanking those who slow down or wait.

The Ride Safe Award

The Highway Code itself suggests the BHS Ride Safe Award for anyone who's inexperienced or hasn't ridden for a while. It covers riding safely in all the common environments, particularly on the road.

Off-road

Follow the Countryside Code for your part of the UK (the Scottish Outdoor Access Code in Scotland). Leave gates as you find them, keep to marked paths unless wider access is allowed, and share the space.

Dogs

Dogs are predators and horses are prey animals, and the BHS has seen dog-related incidents rise. Its advice to riders:

• Slow to a walk to pass dogs, and give them a wide berth.
• Speak to the owner if they haven't seen you, or call out if a dog is loose. Stop if needed so they can put it on a lead.
• If your horse is attacked, stay calm, ride away from the dog, protect young or vulnerable riders if it's safe to, keep your horse's head away from the dog, and let your horse defend itself.
• Afterwards, get the owner's details if you can, and report it to the police (asking for it to go to their Dog Legislation Officer) and to the BHS.

On the ground

Safety matters on the ground too:

• Wear a hat, gloves and non-slip footwear when leading, turning out and catching. Even quiet horses can be unpredictable.
• Wear gloves when lungeing: they protect you from rope burn. See Groundwork.
• When working with a nervous horse, for example teaching it to leave its friends, World Horse Welfare advises a hat and gloves in case it rears or tries to bolt for home.
• Know your yard's fire and accident procedures: where the first aid kit is, who the first aiders are, and where to assemble.

After an incident

The BHS urges riders and carriage drivers to report every incident and near miss, however minor, through its online reporting hub or its Horse i app. You don't need to be a member. The data helps it understand how often incidents happen and lobby for safer laws. Report dangerous or irresponsible driving to the police too.