Latest from Horse & Hound in British-horse-society

The time is now: the Government finally asks for your thoughts on how fireworks affect horses, other animals and people

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:36:19 +0000

Now is the time to make your voice heard on the impact fireworks can have on horses – as the Government has finally asked for the public’s opinion.

Today (16 July) the Government has launched a public fireworks consultation on “common-sense proposals” that would mean the loudest fireworks could be used only in professional displays.

– Take part in the public fireworks consultation.

The aim is to “crack down on anti-social behaviour and protect vulnerable people, pets and wildlife” and “target a small number of fireworks which have caused distress for residents across the country for too long”, but allow professional displays to continue as before.

This follows multiple debates in parliament sparked by hundreds of thousands of signatures on petitions calling for tougher firework laws, as well as sustained campaigning.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary, one of 19 charities in the Fireworks Impact Coalition highlighting the effect of fireworks can have on people, pets, horses, farm animals and wildlife, has been working for change for years.

Fireworks consultation welcomed

“Having campaigned for improved fireworks regulations after tragically losing three of our own rescued horses due to loud fireworks, Redwings knows the scale of distress, suffering and risk to life that fireworks cause every year, not only to horses, but to the people around them,” said Redwings campaigns manager Helen Whitelegg. “In our survey of more than 5,000 UK horse owners, over 95% told us they wanted to see tighter fireworks regulations; loud bangs cited as the most significant risk factor.

“We therefore warmly welcome the news today that the Government will be consulting with the public on this issue and would encourage animal lovers everywhere to participate and have their say on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. These proposals aim to tackle the biggest concerns raised by the public – particularly noise and antisocial behaviour – while protecting cherished traditions and organised displays that bring communities together.”

The consultation also includes proposals to review whether other high-risk products should be banned from public sale.

Ms Whitelegg said: “When our petition was discussed by 58 MPs in parliamentary debate in January, we heard several MPs echo the thoughts of Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley, when he said, ‘the time for talk is over and we need action now’. Petition debates have become an almost annual event, and we welcome the public consultation as a key step on the road to meaningful regulatory change that will help protect both animals and people.”

MP’s campaign

Luton MP Sarah Owen introduced a private member’s bill to restrict the noise and sale of fireworks, nearly two years ago. Ms Owen has told H&H she often hears of the “absolute distress” caused by fireworks.

She said today: “It has been over 20 years since our fireworks laws have been looked into, so this review is a major win for the campaign to finally deal with the problem of antisocial fireworks that affects so many across the country.

“Ever since I became an MP in 2019, I have been saying our out-of-date fireworks laws needed to change – it’s so good to see this become reality.

“Between the licensing loophole, high noise limits and lack of proper enforcement, our current laws mean misery for residents, often for months on end. It undermines trust that the council and police can act on things that make life worse for people and turns neighbour against neighbour.

“I look forward to engaging with the Government in its review and continuing to make the argument for change.”

The RSPCA’s head of public affairs David Bowles said the charity is “thrilled by this major step forward”.

“We now urge pet owners and animal lovers across England and Wales to act now and give their voice to this consultation and help ensure safer and more responsible use of fireworks,” he said.

“For too long now, pets, horses, wildlife and farm animals have been deeply affected by the impact of fireworks and the lack of regulation – including from DIY and impromptu displays.

“Animals such as dogs and horses can suffer from tinnitus, hearing loss and long-term hearing damage caused by fireworks, while all animals can experience stress and fear – which has in some instances lead to injury and even death. Similarly, livestock and other animals living outdoors often try to escape the bangs out of fear, sometimes injuring themselves in the process, and the consequences can be devastating.”

The RSPCA is also a member of the coalition, and has long called for tighter restrictions on fireworks.

“We’ve known for some time that the public support restrictions; 66% of pet owners found backyard fireworks displayed to be a major concern, but regulation has lagged behind for too long, so this is a really positive step forward,” Mr Bowles said.

“This campaign has never been about spoiling people’s fun, but only ever about protecting animals, together – and this new UK Government consultation has the potential to be a game-changer for animals..

“We now have an amazing opportunity to give animals a voice by rallying all those who care about animals to respond to the consultation and show their support for these long-awaited restrictions, and a better world for every kind.”

Fireworks consultation is your chance to make change

British Horse Society safety team manager Des Payne told H&H the charity welcomes and supports the consultation; the BHS has also campaigned with other coalition members for years for changes to the law.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant moment and a huge step forward in making vital changes to support the needs of vulnerable people and animals,” he said.

“We know that fireworks can have a devastating impact on horses and other animals, causing fear, distress and, in some cases, serious injury or death. That’s why it is so important that members of the public, horse owners and everyone affected take the time to respond to the consultation. The more evidence and lived experiences that are shared, the stronger the case for meaningful change.

“While we are encouraged to see this issue being considered, we also recognise that there is still a long way to go. This consultation is just the beginning, and we will continue working with Government and partners to ensure the needs of horses and the wider equestrian community are properly recognised in future fireworks legislation.

“We encourage everyone to make their voice heard and help ensure this opportunity leads to lasting improvements for horse safety and welfare.”

Take part in the consultation

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Do you know when to call the vet? Study raises concerns – as many horse owners still reach for outdated treatment

Becky Murray — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:31:53 +0000

Owners can lack confidence when deciding whether to call the vet for equine wounds – and some are still reaching for outdated treatments, research has highlighted.

In a study published in Animals, researchers from the University of Nottingham, with support from the British Horse Society, aimed to understand owner-reported causes, management and outcomes of equine wounds. The work gathered data to expand on existing wound evidence, which has predominantly been expert reviews or referral hospital studies.

Owners submitted information for 219 horses with injuries. The most common reason for wounds was wire/fencing injuries and the most common place was the lower half of the hindlegs. Owners gave first aid in just over two-thirds of cases and three-quarters of horses needed veterinary attention – but owners were not always confident in deciding whether the wound needed the vet.

The study highlights “several areas where information and resources could support behaviour change in owners and improve wound outcomes”, including on planning for emergencies and the need for guidance on when to call the vet and giving first aid.

Co-author Sarah Freeman told H&H the most common emergency vets get called to, after colic, is wounds.

“Vets see one perspective, but there’s an awful lot that owners see and vets don’t – so this gives us a different picture of what’s going on in the horse population,” she said, adding that there is further work taking place on wounds due out later this year.

“Some of the findings weren’t surprising, like the most common place for wounds – but it was interesting to understand the things that owners are commonly doing. We can look at whether they fit with best practice and what information we can provide; that’s maybe small things like washing hands before giving first aid, or helping people decide when to get to the vet or how to bandage.”

Professor Freeman added that the study showed some owners are applying products, such as Sudocrem or purple and silver sprays, which are “not ideal in quite a number of wounds”.

“There’s been years and years of people using these products, but over time products have evolved or changed and the ingredients are not always clear,” she said, adding that some can prevent wounds being able to breathe or slow healing.

In the study, 80% of horses who had veterinary intervention were given antibiotics. H&H vet Karen Coumbe said this proportion was “somewhat surprising” and that when it comes to wound care, “effective cleaning and dressing” may mean antibiotics are unnecessary, avoiding “overuse of such precious medication”.

Ms Coumbe added that “the position of a wound is crucial”, rather than the size.

“Even if it is relatively large it might not be as bad as one might imagine, whereas a small deep puncture near a joint may be catastrophic, if it penetrates into a vital structure,” she said.

“If in doubt, always consult your vet – it is not difficult to send photographs or video to help obtain advice, although phone pictures can be misleading and it helps to see the injury to ensure all is well.

“If a horse seems lamer than expected or depressed, unwell or uncomfortable, always contact your vet.”

British Horse Society horse care and welfare education manager Emmeline Hannelly told H&H the research provides “valuable insight” and helps raise awareness of the importance of effective wound care.

“Wounds are a common problem and one that owners should be prepared for,” she said, adding that injuries can lead to infection and serious complications if they are not assessed and managed appropriately.

“Prompt assessment and treatment are important, and knowing when to seek veterinary advice can make a significant difference to the outcome.”

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Running a livery yard is ‘emotional labour’ new study finds

Becky Murray — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:00:20 +0000

Livery yard owners and managers are facing increasing challenges and “emotional labour” – as new research shows the need for better support.

Researchers at the University of Liverpool explored the experiences of 52 yard managers and managers around yard set-up and management and how decisions are made regarding horse wellbeing.

The study, published in CABI’s Human-Animal Interactions journal, highlighted the “complexity of livery yard management with each yard functioning as a unique ecosystem based on a balance of independent factors including the management of horses, clients, land, business and facilities”.

“Livery yards were frequently run from a desire to work with horses, and this shaped the yard managers’ provision of services and care,” said the authors.

“While yards were organised around the physical tasks of looking after horses, participants suggested that the core of their workload was, in fact, related to the organisational and emotional work of managing clients and horses. This included negotiating around interspecies individual needs, managing disagreements and building relationships. Collectively, this required complex organisation and emotional labour.”

Lead researcher Tamzin Furtado told H&H she came away with a “huge amount of sympathy” for yard owners and managers – and said a takeaway is that there needs to be more support and professionalism for yard owners and “respect for it as an industry”.

“There are so many things that just fall to yard owners and managers, without any of us knowing about it,” she said, giving examples of assisting with euthanasia decisions or “extreme scenarios” such as being shouted at by liveries and having horses “dumped on them”.

“A lot of the work yard managers described went unrecognised, and working conditions which we just wouldn’t accept in other situations. They were trying to manage all these difficult situations, while managing their own work-life balance and the costs of running the yard and many described basically subsidising the yard themselves,” she said.

“It’s hard, we’re in a changing world where things are more expensive, we’ve got more horses, less land, winters are getting worse. We need to understand yard managers better and understand why certain decisions might be difficult for them.”

Ms Furtado added that Chery Johns of LiveryList is doing a “phenomenal job of plugging the gap” and providing a community for yard owners.

Ms Johns told H&H she is pleased to see the work highlight the fact yard management is “far more complex than it often looks”.

“Decisions made on yards can directly affect welfare outcomes, standards of care and the experience of horses and clients in an unregulated industry,” she said.

“It’s encouraging to see the role being recognised properly for what it is; a skilled, responsible and often demanding job that plays a vital role within the industry – and one that needs the right level of support to maintain standards and strengthen the sector.”

Sarah Dale, British Horse Society (BHS) head of approved centres, told H&H the society welcomes this “important study that highlights the challenges and complexities faced by livery yard owners and managers”.

“These businesses are central to equine welfare and the wider equestrian community, so improving understanding of the pressures they face is vital in helping create better outcomes for both people and horses,” she said, adding that the BHS supports livery yards becoming licensed in the future.

“We recognise that running a yard requires far more than excellent horsemanship. Owners and managers are balancing business pressures, client relationships, staffing challenges and ever-changing operational demands, often all at once.”

The BHS offers support for approved centres, including advice from regional business support managers on topics including business and pricing strategies; marketing and mental health; as well as access to professional helplines, networking events and vouchers towards training courses and professional development.

“Studies like this reinforce the importance of continuing to invest in meaningful support for yard owners and managers, who remain at the heart of a healthy and sustainable equestrian industry,” said Ms Dale.

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Pressures on riding schools and the challenges they face highlighted in new lesson price data

Lucy Elder — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 16:13:56 +0000

New data on the average price of riding school lessons has highlighted the rising cost of learning to ride and reopened the conversation about pressures riding schools face in today’s economy.

Booking platform EC Pro collected anonymous lesson booking and pricing data through its system from more than 200 UK riding schools and equestrian centres in 2025.

It analysed the information and has created a 2026 price guide, which a spokesperson told H&H is designed to provide an “indicative snapshot of the current market and highlight broader pricing trends […] rather than create a formal industry index”.

The average price for a one-hour adult group lesson ranged from £31 in the north west of England to £54 in the south east. For children, this ranged from £31 in the same region, to £53 in London. Nationally, 30-minute adult group lessons average around £35.

“Affordability matters if we want to keep the sport accessible. Horse riding is an incredibly valuable activity for so many people, but for many who like the idea of riding – or experienced riders – it can feel increasingly expensive,” said EC Pro chief executive Beth Lothian.

“What this data shows is that there is no single ‘normal’ price. Costs vary significantly depending on where you are in the country and the type of lesson or activity you’re booking.

“At the same time, unlike most service businesses, riding schools are also running a full-time animal welfare operation and the horses don’t care what the economy is doing.”

She added: “For riding schools, this is not just about pricing. It is about communication, customer trust and long-term retention.

“If customers understand what goes into the experience they are paying for, and if the booking experience is straightforward and professional, they are far more likely to keep coming back. That is a responsibility for all in the equestrian world.”

British Horse Society (BHS) chief operating officer Sarah Phillips said that riding schools are the “backbone of equestrianism in Britain”.

“They provide vital access to horses for people of all ages and backgrounds, while promoting education, wellbeing and high standards of horse welfare. For many riders, a riding school is where their journey with horses first begins,” she told H&H.

“However, riding schools continue to face significant challenges in 2026, including rising operating costs, staffing shortages and increasing pressure on affordability for participants. Many centres are working incredibly hard to maintain lessons, care standards and accessibility within their local communities, despite ongoing financial pressures and increasing operational demands.”

Ms Phillips added that the BHS continues to support riding schools and equestrian businesses through practical guidance, professional development opportunities and access to industry expertise, to help centres “build resilience and adapt to changing demands”.

“At BHS, we continue to support riding schools and equestrian businesses through practical guidance, professional development opportunities and access to industry expertise, helping centres build resilience and adapt to changing demands,” she said. “From business support and workforce development initiatives to training and networking opportunities, we remain committed to supporting a sustainable and accessible future for equestrian businesses across Britain.”

‘At entry level, practically every sport is free – but not riding’

Tim Downes runs successful riding school Ingestre Stables near Stafford, which has clients from across the UK and the world. He told H&H that the challenge for riding schools of finding the balance between being accessible for those wanting to learn to ride and the realities of running a business involving horses is “massive”.

“One of the things that I feel quite strongly about is that any sport is potentially very expensive to be deeply involved in, in terms of competing, travelling and facilities – not just riding. In any sport, if they commit, want to proceed and move up levels, they’re going to have to commit a lot of time and money – but at entry level, practically every sport in this country is free,” he said. “But riding isn’t”.

He added that several years ago, Ingestre tried to encourage various organisations to look at centres to effectively start a foundation that would help give people that first taste. The stables ran free 20-minute private sessions for kids up to the age of 12, and children could come four times.

“We ran it for two years, and it was hugely successful, but we’re a lone voice,” he said. “If we could encourage every riding school in the country to do that – if we could find a sponsor or get it funded somehow – it would help the whole industry hugely.”

Among the other pressures he mentioned is the challenge presented by unlicensed “backyard riding schools”. By not running as proper businesses, these avoid the regulation and taxes that apply to properly run riding schools.

He noted that this can affect market value, lead to confusion among clients as to the differences they are paying for when riders move to a well-run riding establishment, and that tighter regulation is needed.

View EC Pro’s 2026 price guide

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BHS Scotland ‘thrilled’ to celebrate 60th anniversary as major fixture’s charity of the year

Lucy Elder — Sun, 31 May 2026 06:21:34 +0000

Scone Palace International Horse Trials’ supported charity for 2026 (27 to 30 August) will be British Horse Society (BHS) Scotland.

Georgina Charlton, national manager for BHS Scotland, said the charity is “delighted”.

“Being chosen in the same year we celebrate the 60th anniversary of BHS Scotland makes this recognition even more special,” she said. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase and champion the work BHS Scotland does to support horses, their owners and everyone who loves them across all of our charitable areas.”

Proceeds from the official cross-country course-walks with top riders will be donated to the charity, which will also man the “shop and drop” facility.

The BHS Scotland stand will feature a mechanical horse and BHS activities in the children’s area, and the charity will have its own event lorry near the cross-country course.

Scone Palace International Horse Trials also hosts the BHS Scotland Riding Club Style Jumping Championships (29 August), which includes a services section, and the BHS Scotland Championship Finals Series of working hunter classes (27 August).

BHS Scotland will run continuing professional development events during the horse trials. These include a training session with Nick Gauntlett during the first horse inspection (26 August), plus a course-walk and dressage study group. Denise Richardson-Rowell will also host a session on working hunter competitions on 27 August.

Scone Palace International Horse Trials event director Alec Lochore said: “BHS Scotland is a very important charity to everyone involved in all the diverse areas of the equestrian world.

“We are keen to promote a love and understanding of horses, and to share our passion for them with people who may not have had the chance to experience our community, and partnering with BHS Scotland is a great way to do this.”

Grace & Dotty supports Aamilah Aswat

Clothing brand Grace & Dotty has partnered with British jump jockey Aamilah Aswat in a three-year deal that supports her aim of riding on racing’s biggest stages.

The partnership is part of the brand’s wider initiative to spotlight “new faces of the countryside” – a campaign aimed at redefining traditional perceptions of rural life and celebrating individuals whose stories bring fresh energy and diversity to horseracing culture.

“Horseracing is my dream, and becoming the first Black British woman to compete in jump racing is just the beginning,” said Aamilah.

“The support from Grace & Dotty means everything – it’s not just about sponsorship; it’s about visibility and belonging. We’re changing what the sport looks like.”

The Grace & Dotty sponsorship will provide Aamilah with support across training, equipment, and public profile development.

Grace & Dotty owner Karen Ellis said the brand “has always stood for authenticity and adventure”.

“We’re proud to back Aamilah not only because of her incredible talent and determination but because she represents a fresh and inclusive vision of rural Britain. Her journey shows that the countryside – and the sport of racing – are open to everyone,” she said.

“Grace & Dotty believes that horse racing is evolving. Backing Aamilah for the next three years is our way of investing in that future – encouraging equality, opportunity and representation in the spaces and sports we love.”

Howden supports British Riding Clubs

British Riding Clubs (BRC) has partnered with insurance broker Howden to support grassroots equestrian sport.

Howden is the new title sponsor of three BRC championships: the winter dressage championships, national horse trials championships and the combined championships.

Head of BRC Rachael Hollely-Thompson said: “We are delighted to welcome Howden on board and are looking forward to working with them.

“Their support demonstrates their commitment to the grassroots equestrian community, and it will enable us to continue to run high quality events for our members. We are excited to collaborate and offer further support for our clubs and members.”

Catherine Morgan, head of equine at Howden, added: “BRC provides fantastic opportunities for riders to train, compete and be part of a community of like-minded equestrians. Their events are so important in ensuring the sport thrives for the benefit of its members and the wider equestrian community.

“We’re proud to be supporting BRC with the sponsorship of three of their championship events, as well as advising BRC and the British Horse Society’s individual members on their insurance requirements. Robust insurance is not only critical for both riders and horses, but also for enabling equestrian events to go ahead.”

SEIB increases showjumping support

SEIB Insurance Brokers has increased its support for showjumping by signing as title sponsor of the SEIB Big Star young horse championship for the next three years.

SEIB is also offering British Showjumping (BS) members access to bespoke sports horse insurance cover for showjumping horses and ponies, with a discount of up to 20%.

Suzy Middleton, SEIB chief executive, said: “With this new formal partnership we are delighted to be working closely together with British Showjumping to provide the tailored insurance cover that BS members need for their valuable and much treasured horses and ponies.

“Our job as an insurer is to provide financial peace of mind, leaving riders to concentrate on their job of performing at their very best whatever their competition level within the sport.”

BS chief executive Iain Graham said the organisation is “delighted to be working with SEIB”.

“[Its] longevity and expertise in equine insurance ensures our members have access to the cover they need at a preferential rate,” he said.

“We welcome SEIB’s increased support of showjumping, it’s fantastic to have them on board as our new title sponsor of the prestigious SEIB Big Star championship in addition to their long-standing support of the SEIB winter novice championship.”

Tom McEwen named Avant Techno ambassador

Double Olympic gold medallist Tom McEwen has joined machinery firm Avant Techno as its equestrian ambassador.

“As one of Britain’s most respected event riders, Tom represents precision, consistency and performance under pressure – the very qualities that define our Avant loaders,” said Raimo Ala-Korpi, managing director of Avant Tecno UK.

“With Tom as an Avant ambassador, we will be sharing behind-the-scenes yard content and practical demonstrations from Tom, highlighting how Avant machinery supports smarter, more productive equestrian operations.”

Tom added: “We use the Avant pretty much every single day; it’s become a core part of how we run the yard. It makes a huge difference to everything we do, from moving muck and hay to handling larger bales – all tasks that can be especially challenging in UK yards where space is limited.

“With costs rising across the board, having equipment that genuinely improves productivity makes a real difference – Avant loaders simply get on with the job.”

Lycetts continues charity support at Bramham

Lycetts will sponsor the owners’ and riders’ drinks party at Defender Bramham International Horse Trials (11 to 14 June) for a third consecutive year, and support a series of fundraising initiatives at the four-star event.

Lycetts is collaborating with British Polo Gin to serve the Lycetts Collins cocktail, with proceeds going to the British Eventing Support Trust. This follows a successful partnership between the pair at the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby Park in April.

Guests at the drinks party will also be invited to take part in “Pedal for Purpose” on a static bike and Lycetts will donate cash to charity for every kilometre cycled. There will also be a free prize draw for a £1,000 donation to the winner’s charity of choice, funded by Lycetts and matched by Benefact Group

“Bramham is a landmark event in the equestrian calendar and we’re delighted to be supporting it for a third year,” said Tim Slinger, associate director at Lycetts.

“The owners’ and riders’ drinks party is always a special part of the week and this year we’re pleased to add an even stronger fundraising element.”

Chapel Down partners with The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club has named Chapel Down as its official English sparkling wine partner in a multi-year deal.

The official partnership launch takes place at the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom (5 to 6 June), where the brand will host a dedicated bar on the Hyperion Lawn.

Chapel Down sparkling wines will also be served at bars and hospitality areas across Epsom next week, and at all 15 Jockey Club racecourses.

Chapel Down also renewed its partnership with Royal Ascot (16 to 20 June) this year, and is the official English sparkling wine partner at Newbury racecourse.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with The Jockey Club, which stages some of the country’s most celebrated racedays and hospitality experiences across its racecourses nationwide,” said Chapel Down chief executive James Pennefather.

“The Jockey Club and Chapel Down share a commitment to quality, hospitality and memorable experiences, making this a natural partnership. The collaboration provides a significant platform to showcase English sparkling wine to audiences across some of the country’s most iconic sporting and social occasions.”

Birketts partners with Event Horse Owners Association

Birketts equine law experts will become a source of legal advice to the Event Horse Owners Association (EHOA) and its members.

Birketts head of equine Abi Rudd said the firm is “thrilled” to announce the new partnership.

“Bringing owners together, the association is at the heart of the eventing sport, and our partnership will enable our specialist equine team to support members with any opportunity or challenge that may present itself,” she said.

“We’re looking forward to strengthening our relationship with the eventing sport further and meeting EHOA members at an event soon.”

EHOA chairman Alex Wakeley added: “We are delighted to welcome Birketts as a partner of the EHOA. Their specialist knowledge of the equine sector, combined with their commitment to supporting owners, aligns perfectly with the association’s mission.

“This partnership will bring valuable expertise to our members and further strengthen the support network available within the eventing community.”

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‘Don’t let it drop’: why equestrians must keep speaking out on the dangers of riding on the roads

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:32:16 +0000

The authorities are here to help us towards making horses and equestrians safer on our roads, but we must continue to ask for their help.

This was a key message to come from police and Parliament at an event on 20 April to mark 10 years of the British Horse Society’s (BHS) Dead Slow equestrian road safety campaign.

House of Commons deputy speaker Caroline Nokes and Sussex Police chief constable Jo Shiner were among those to address guests.

Lifelong rider Ms Nokes said she entered Parliament not wanting to be “pigeonholed” as “the horsey one”, but realised during the horsemeat scandal of 2013 that she might be of help to ministers.

“I wasn’t; they weren’t interested!” she said. “But I tell you that only to make you reflect that MPs are human. MPs are, by and large, very interested in the issues that interest their constituents.

“If 5% of the population have some connection with horses, and there are 650 MPs, that means roughly 30 of them might know what they’re talking about when it comes to equestrianism. So your target market is the other 600 or so.

“Go and see them, take your GoPro footage and make them live the experience of riding along a road when a car passes too close and too fast. We’re all perfectly capable of understanding the reality of how that might feel.”

“Keep badgering”

Ms Nokes said the difficulty is making ministers listen, but said the top parliamentarians are those who “keep badgering”, such as Newbury MP Lee Dillon, who has repeatedly introduced equestrian road safety in parliament and continues to do so.

“My message to Lee is, don’t give up, don’t let it drop,” she said. “There’s nothing worse as a government minister than returning to the dispatch box, week in week out, and being asked the same question again and again.

“When Mr Dillon rises to ask another question about road safety and what’s being done to wrap a communications plan around the changes to the Highway Code, or to include measures around equestrianism road safety in the driving theory test for the driving test, or a national board about road safety bringing together all organisations.

“And when that minister looks up, sees it’s Mr Dillon again, they will return to their civil servants and say, ‘Please, can we just do something.’”

Ms Nokes said the BHS is “excellent” at encouraging riders to email MPs but she said she would go further and ask equestrians to visit in person.

“There is nothing quite as powerful as hearing the story,” she said.

Not a limited problem

“We have to convey at every opportunity that this is not a limited problem. The statistics are scary and increasing, and we have to make sure it’s understood as widely as possible, because even somebody living in a city may end up on a rural road and encounter a horse for the first time.

“Parliamentarians can be there to help you. We’re not all strange creatures who only inhabit the Westminster bubble. It has to be about comms on a national scale, and consistency. Keep showing up, keep boring us in our constituency surgeries. Eventually, we’ll take action.”

Ms Shiner is also a rider – and a cyclist and tractor driver – who has worked closely with the BHS on the campaign. She shared a video on horse road safety that has been shared with all police forces and is being pushed out more widely, and spoke about “close pass” operations being carried out by forces across the country.

Ms Shiner cited the “fatal five” causes of road accidents, including drink and drugs, but also antisocial driving.

“There seems to be much less patience on the roads these days, not just for horses, for anybody,” she said. “People just don’t seem to have common decency on our roads any more.

Targeting antisocial driving

“So we really are targeting antisocial driving. As a chief constable, you’d think my inbox would be full of violence or other offences, but it’s our communities pushing back, often equestrian or cycling communities, saying, ‘We really need you to sort out this antisocial driving’ often on country roads, where our equestrian colleagues and friends are likely to be put at risk.”

Ms Shiner said funding has been secured to help for a national operation in this area and action includes trialling AI road cameras.

“We need to work together to make sure in the future we’re reducing the risk and most importantly, changing minds,” she said. “We desperately need a national road safety board. That’s within the national road strategy from the Government and I look forward to the first meeting.

“But we must make sure all incidents are reported, however minor – a minor incident is a near miss of a major incident. We must continue to encourage reporting, because much of police activity is based on intelligence gathered, and if we don’t know about it, we can’t do something about it. We must make sure we continue to point in the same direction, embrace future challenges and opportunities and really remember why we’re doing this.

“We all here have a passion for road safety, but the reason we’re doing this is to save the lives of horses and human beings who tragically will have their lives changed for ever if we don’t continue to do the work we do.”

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Drivers’ behaviour still needs to change for horses to be safer on the roads

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:30:37 +0000

The past 10 years have been about raising awareness – the next 10 must be about changing behaviour.

An event held to mark a decade of the British Horse Society’s (BHS) Dead Slow equestrian road safety campaign on 20 April considered the vast progress it has made, and what will happen next.

“It’s been a decade of change,” said BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox. “Maybe, just maybe, our messages are landing, 10 years later.”

The incident that sparked the campaign was the death of a horse in a funeral cortège in Wales.

“I said then, ‘We’ve got to do something. We’ve got to start a campaign,’” Mr Hiscox said. “‘We’ve got to give drivers absolute, specific guidance as to what to do if they see a horse on the road.’

“That was the start of the Dead Slow campaign, and we wanted it with three components: safer riders, safer drivers and safer horses, because they are all interlinked, and we wanted to make sure everybody involved on the roads with horses was included.”

Mr Hiscox covered the highlights, including the Highway Code changes, Parliament debates, multiple awards and ongoing work with councils, police, trainers, road safety partnerships and the public. He then handed the floor to other experts in the field.

Influencing driver behaviour

Elizabeth Box of ECM Research Solutions spoke about influencing drivers’ decisions on how to pass horses. Dr Fox works with national organisations to use behavioural science in strategies to reduce road risk, focusing on rider and driver safety.

“It’s that moment when the driver intends to pass the horse rider that really matters,” she said. “We know, in that moment, the driver is not thinking about the Highway Code, or something they saw on social media. They are immediately in that environment. So how can we change that for the better, so horse riders can be safer?”

Dr Fox said many drivers may be aware of what to do, much owing to the BHS campaign, but that “behaviour hasn’t quite caught up”. She explained that most drivers rely on habit. If this is not a safe one, or they rely on instinct, this can be an issue. And if someone is in a hurry, they may see the horse as something to pass quickly rather than two sentient beings.

“Perceptions drivers have really influence their behaviour,” she added. “When they understand horse riders better, they understand what the circumstances are like for them, whether that’s what it’s like to be on a horse and have a close pass, or just understanding them as a person and a horse, not just something you need to get round. Empathy is really important for changing outcomes.”

Dr Fox said her team’s research has found people need clear information on what to do and the right opportunity to do it. This led to a campaign to help drivers understand the Highway Code changes.

“It’s really important we see what good looks like, and we really want to focus on that,” she said. “Then there’s trying to create a social norm. This happens over time, not within months, it’s many years. But if we can design more campaigns that can help shift that social norm, the better [it will be].”

She said her team’s campaigns had had effects on driver behaviour, but that the effects of any campaign diminish over time.

Promoting the message

“We need to keep on going with the same message, maybe in slightly different ways, to keep promoting it,” she said. “Research tells us empathy needs to be at the core of what we do when people see other people in the road network as other people, not just things they need to get round. That is really important.

“We need to make behaviour we want visible; we can’t just talk about it, we need to show what that looks like, because that’s much easier for people to comprehend, and we need to reinforce those messages.

“We know there are certain moments people are more likely to come across equestrians on the network; how can we help design campaigns specifically for the issues they’re likely to face? I think the last 10 years have been about raising awareness and it’s been incredible the work the BHS has done on that.

“I think the next 10 years must be about converting that awareness into behaviour. We’ve got the right building blocks, because the safest drivers aren’t the drivers who just know the rules, they’re the ones who actually put them into practice.”

The next push

Mr Hiscox added that his next focus is on the human and horse both being classed as vulnerable road users, not just the person.

“We are a partnership,” he said. “I am trying to push to get lines in the Highway Code to talk about that; my next push is to recognise that partnership. But we need your help, everybody in this room.

“To support improved national promotion of the Highway Code, endorse a clarification within it recognising the horse and rider partnership. Encourage consistent inclusion of equestrian risk in DVSA testing and training materials, support local authorities in considering equestrian safety within rural speed management and signage, and ensure equestrians are recognised within active travel and rural infrastructure programs.

“Thank you very much for being a part of Dead Slow.”

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‘We recognise the important role of equine land’: what the Government’s long-term land use plans could mean for horse owners

Becky Murray — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:27:21 +0000

The government has said it will engage with the equestrian sector and landowners as it sets out its long-term plans for managing England’s “finite land”.

Defra has published “England’s first ever land use framework” setting out plans to 2050. The framework follows a public consultation in January 2025, and states the Government’s aims of “delivering new homes, nature restoration, clean energy and food security”.

As well as plans for “helping to accelerate delivery of the Government’s promise of 1.5 million new homes”, Defra has pledged to “give more rights and greater certainty to tenant farmers” – and has set out its intentions around access and recreation, stating “we remain committed to making more of England safe and accessible to the public”.

“A large area of land in England is managed primarily for recreation. Shooting estates and other recreational land, such as golf courses and equine land, can play an important role in local economies, and we recognise that some of this land makes a strong contribution to supporting wildlife and tackling climate change,” reads the framework.

“To keep more agricultural land in production, we want to support all recreational land to deliver the social and environmental benefits that some already does. We will work with recreational management associations to support more voluntary action to reduce the use of potential pollutants, invite nature to share these spaces, and boost the natural capital value of this land even more.”

Engaging

H&H asked Defra how equestrians will be affected by the plans in terms of grazing and off-road riding. A spokesperson told H&H the department will continue to engage with the equestrian sector on how land could be best used to deliver more for nature and local communities.

“We recognise the important role that equine land can play in supporting wildlife and tackling climate change,” he said.

“We will work with recreational management associations to support voluntary action towards boosting nature’s recovery.”

The British Horse Society spokesperson told H&H the society was not consulted in the early stages – but hopes to be involved in future discussions.

“The land use framework outlines the government’s plans to increase access to green and blue spaces for everyone. As the plans develop, BHS wants to make sure that this includes access on horseback or carriage driving, as well as on foot,” BHS director of access Mark Weston told H&H.

“Defra’s plans include consultation on the feasibility and demand for making landowner liability more proportionate to encourage access. We at BHS would strongly encourage this and push to be involved in this process.”

“National vision”

Defra secretary of state MP Emma Reynolds said the framework sets out a “coherent national vision for how we use our land”.

“It demonstrates clearly that we have enough land to build the homes needed to address the housing crisis, maintain domestic food production, restore nature at scale and build clean, homegrown power to provide energy security. These are not competing demands. With the right data, the right tools and the strategic direction this framework provides, they are complementary ones,” she said.

“This is not a document that tells people what to do with their land, nor a replacement for the planning system. It is a blueprint for smarter, more informed decisions and shares cutting-edge data with those who need it most.”

A Government spokesperson said over the next year a dedicated land use unit will be established to “drive the framework and produce England’s first single map of national spatial priorities”.

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Huge progress made in 10 years for equestrian road safety – but any horse dying on our roads is one too many

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:38:15 +0000

Huge progress has been made on equestrian road safety in the past decade – but any horse killed or injured on our roads is one too many.

This is the message from the British Horse Society (BHS), which has released its incident statistics for last year, but also since 2016 as it marks 10 years of Dead Slow.

In 2025, 2,810 incidents involving horses on the roads were reported to the BHS, taking the total to 19,528 since the road safety campaign was launched in 2016 (see below). Last year’s total was down 10% from 2024, but 59 horses were killed, one more than the previous year, and 86 people were hurt, an 8% rise from 2024.

“I’m really disappointed to see the number of horses killed has gone up slightly but the number of incidents reported has fallen,” BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H.

“I suppose you could say that if there are fewer incidents, fewer horses will be injured and killed on the road. The number injured has gone down, so I think the slant of the curve is going in the right direction.”

BHS Dead Slow achievements

Major achievements of the Dead Slow campaign include the Highway Code changes introduced in 2022 but Mr Hiscox has also spoken at countless road safety and driver training events, and met MPs, worked with the Government, local authorities, police, safety partnerships and motoring shows across the country.

In the past year, momentum has built; the awareness ride from Lambourn to Windsor, a joint initiative between the BHS and Project EDWARD (Every Day Without a Road Death) led to parliament debates and proposed changes to legislation.

“The issue now is that I don’t want the momentum to drop off,” Mr Hiscox said. “I’m biting at people’s heels. It’s really important that impetus doesn’t fall away.”

H&H reported that equestrians were not specifically mentioned in the Government’s new national road safety strategy but at the parliament debate shortly after this was published, many MPs brought this up.

“Since the debate in January, MPs have written to the department for transport [DfT],” Mr Hiscox said. “It’s keeping it talked about in the corridors of power. And the strategy has also meant we’re involved in conversations. We were working with Project EDWARD anyway, road safety partnerships and the police, but now there’s this basis to work towards.

“I can hang my Dead Slow campaign on these components of the road safety strategy, and it gives me some ideas and structure.

Increase driver awareness

“The Government said the Highway Code changes haven’t had the effect they hoped and they need to increase driver awareness; that’s mentioned in the strategy. If only they’d mentioned horses as part of the vulnerable road users but we can work with councils to try to get speed limits lowered, with autonomous vehicle designers to try to push for elements to identify horses.”

Mr Hiscox has also contributed his thoughts to the Government’s transport select committee and he intends to keep pushing on.

“I’m a one-trick pony,” he said. “I just keep getting our message out. At the start of this, my main aim was Highway Code changes and if someone had offered me that, I’d have bitten their arm off. But if someone had said 10 years ago, we’d be where we are now, I wouldn’t have been sure as it would have taken so much work – but here we are.”

Mr Hiscox stressed, as he has before, that it is vital all incidents and near misses are reported, as this means action can be taken and authorities shown the true picture.

Action can include close-pass driver education operations, road warning signs and driver training. Had the death of a young racehorse in Lambourn not been reported in 2024, none of last year’s progress – the awareness ride or Parliament action – would have happened.

BHS: The community has united

“Over the last 10 years, the equestrian community has come together in an extraordinary way,” Mr Hiscox said. “That collective effort has undoubtedly raised awareness and helped reduce the number of incidents.

“But 59 horses lost in one year is 59 too many. Behind every statistic is a devastated owner, a traumatised rider and a community that feels that loss deeply.

“We must continue to push for an approach that combines education, prevention and enforcement of the rules. We owe it to everyone who loves horses as much as we do and every horse in our lives to make our roads safer. The reduction in reported incidents in 2025 demonstrates that progress is possible. But until the number of horses and riders killed on UK roads is reduced to zero, the campaign’s work is far from complete.”

Project EDWARD founder James Luckhurst told H&H he is “continually impressed by what Alan has achieved” with the BHS Dead Slow campaign.

“It is clear this has been a decade defined by determination, influence and progress,” he said. “At Project EDWARD, we have been privileged to witness the dedication and support a strategy that consistently delivers impactful change, making roads safer for horses, riders and carriage drivers.

“Alan’s work operates at the highest levels, ensuring equestrian safety remains firmly on the agenda across Government, the DfT, local authorities, road safety partnerships and major public platforms. This sustained advocacy has led to significant milestones.

“Project EDWARD remains committed to supporting Alan and Dead Slow with this vital work in driving real change.”

The numbers

2025

Incidents: 2,810

Horses killed 59

Horses injured 82

People killed 0

People injured 86

Since 2016

Incidents: 19,528

Horses killed 559

Horses injured 964

People killed 8

People injured 999

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Farmer’s fine after cattle trampled walker a reminder of horse owners’ footpath responsibilities

Becky Murray — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 16:23:15 +0000

A legal case involving a dog walker who was injured by cattle is a reminder to horse owners of their responsibilities when public footpaths lead through grazing fields.

A farmer was fined £5,260 having pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act in a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), when a dog walker was trampled by cattle on a public footpath.

Litigation solicitor Bridget Sanger of Clark Willmott LLP told H&H that although there is no HSE guidance for horses, the sample principles will apply and the onus is on the horse owner to assess the risk of turning out equines in areas accessed by the public.

“Landowners, including farmers and horse owners, have a legal duty to ensure the safety of anyone on their land, including walkers using public rights of way,” said Ms Sanger.

Equine lawyer Hannah Bradley, partner at Aria Grace Law CIC, told H&H that if a walker is injured by a horse on a public footpath, a claim for damages could be pursued. The court will apply a three-stage test in which the claimant must prove that the horse was likely to cause damage or if the horse caused damage, it was likely to be severe; that the damage related to a characteristic not normally found in horses and that the owner knew about the characteristic that caused the injury.

H&H asked Ms Bradley whether having warning signs at fields with public footpaths could be admitting liability and she said generally speaking, it is not possible to disclaim liability for personal injury.

“A sign that says something like ‘horse may bite’ could arguably create evidence that the owner had knowledge of a certain characteristic, but also it could be used to argue that the claimant assumed the risk,” she said.

Bulls over 10 months old cannot be kept in fields with public footpaths, but there is no restriction on stallions or colts – Ms Bradley said owners should keep in mind the knowledge test the court will apply.

“It is likely that certain behaviours which might cause injury could be said to be more prevalent – and known about – in a stallion or colt,” she said.

Ms Bradley added that owners should give consideration to public liability insurance for horses, taking into account their personal circumstances.

“It is imperative to make sure that the policy has sufficient coverage for the full possible loss caused by an injury caused by a horse. Claims relating to life-changing injuries can run into millions of pounds,” she said.

British Horse Society director of access Mark Weston reminded owners that if they keep horses in fields crossed by public rights of way they have a responsibility to help ensure the route remains safe for everyone.

“It’s vitally important to understand what type of right of way runs through your land to begin with – whether this is a footpath for pedestrian access only, or a bridleway or byway, or restricted byway or bridleway, which can mean cyclists and fellow equestrians can use the route. This helps you understand who can pass through your land and what you need to do to ensure they can do so safely,” he said.

“Owners have a responsibility to make sure that horses grazing in these fields are suitable to be around members of the public and not known to behave dangerously. Extra care should be taken when deciding which horses are turned out in these fields, and we strongly advise against keeping stallions in fields where equestrians have rights of way.

“It’s also important that gates, fencing and stiles along the route are well maintained so people can pass through safely and horses cannot escape if a gate is accidentally left open.”

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Dispute over dog in divorce case highlights why including horses in pre-nups could be useful

Becky Murray — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:03:50 +0000

A divorce case involving a dog has raised a talking point about how courts view animals in marital disputes – and highlighted that including horses in pre-nuptial agreements could be beneficial.

In the case of FI v DO, a dispute between a husband and wife over who should retain ownership of the family dog, the judge ruled in favour of the wife, who had solely cared for the dog for 18 months.

Pets are considered by courts as chattels – as stated by the judge in this case – comparative to a personal possession like jewellery or a car. But the judge also said the wife’s evidence was “far more in tune with someone who has the welfare of the dog at heart”.

“Few truths in family law land harder than discovering that, in divorce, your horse ranks legally alongside the furniture. The family court makes no distinction between a horse and a motorbike; both are property to be valued, divided or sold like any other asset,” equine lawyer Hannah Bradley and family lawyer Karim Assaad of Aria Grace Law told H&H, adding that in FI v DO “the judge could not have been clearer”.

“He said: ‘It matters not who paid for the dog. The dog is a chattel.’ In the same paragraph, he was concerned that the case ‘veered into the realms of a Children Act application’, rejecting the idea that welfare or emotional factors could determine outcome.

“Some commentators have read that decision as a turning point, a gentle move towards animal welfare and emotional attachment. We do not agree. The judge’s later references to who had ‘principally looked after the dog’ and where the dog felt at home were not an appeal to sentiment, but a recognition of fact.

“The wife had cared for the dog for 18 months and so in deciding between the parties, the court favoured the wife and consequently declared that she owned the dog in law.”

Ms Bradley and Mr Assaad said that although the judgment was “written with empathy it did not alter the legal test” to be applied.

“Pets remain chattels and the test is ownership. The fate of pets in divorce proceedings are decided by evidence, not affection,” they said.

“The same principles that applied in the FI v DO case applies with equal force to horses. Upon divorce, a horse may be sold and the proceeds divided or retained by one party who buys out the other or if the court is invited, having heard evidence, to determine who should remain in possession of the horse, it will do so on the basis of principles of ownership and not on welfare assessments.”

Solicitor Jacqui Dark of Equine Law UK told H&H that in her view, FI v DO was an example where the judge used his discretion to decide to whom the dog was given as part of the divorce proceedings, when the wife had not solely bought the dog but had become his main carer.

“My view is that this is correct, as it is in the best interest of the dog and the courts are quite right to take his welfare into account,” said Mrs Dark.

“The same would happen with any other animal in divorce proceedings. So, for example, if a husband purchased a horse and the wife did the daily care, overseeing vets, riding and training etc, it is possible that the judge – where there is a dispute as to where the horse is left after divorce proceedings – could allow ownership of the horse to be with the wife as part of the divorce settlement.”

Mrs Dark added that with a high-value horse, one party could ask the court to order its sale, an option the court could consider.

“Ultimately, the court can consider welfare and this is an important factor to take into account. Vets/other professionals can be called on to give expert evidence if necessary,” she said.

“If there is a pre-nup, this may change things and you should seek advice from a family law specialist on this point.”

Legal director Jennifer Headon of Birketts told H&H that pets have been a “hot topic” in family law and believes that including animals in pre- and post-nuptial agreements can be useful.

“There’s no reason not to factor pets into these agreements. It’s an emotive topic for clients, and you can save yourself a lot of emotional and financial toll,” she said.

“It might include who would keep the horses post-separation – or how the expenses will be divided. Although pre-nuptial agreements are not legally binding, they are generally given significant weight by the court if they’re properly entered into.

“I would advise they are drawn up by a solicitor, and one of the factors taken into consideration is whether the parties have had independent legal advice.”

British Horse Society (BHS) director of horse care and welfare Gemma Stanford told H&H divorce and separation can be an incredibly difficult time, and “it’s understandable that practical considerations around horses may not always feel like a priority”.

“However, as recent cases have shown, horses can become part of wider legal discussions, making it important for owners to keep clear records of ownership, financial contributions and day-to-day care, such as who pays for livery, veterinary fees and other ongoing costs,” she said.

“Seeking appropriate legal advice can help reduce uncertainty and stress for all involved. For BHS gold members, our legal helpline is available to provide confidential, practical guidance on a wide range of legal matters, including situations where personal circumstances may impact ownership”.

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Persistence pays off – how being a ‘terrier who refuses to let go’ is driving real change in equestrian road safety

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 16:43:15 +0000

The British Horse Society (BHS) launched its Dead Slow campaign for equestrian road safety almost 10 years ago, just after I started at Horse & Hound.

I have to admit that my initial thoughts were along the lines of “great thing to do – but how much is this going to achieve?” I wasn’t sure an equestrian organisation would be able to do much, change much, in this area. I was very wrong.

In my defence, I hadn’t met Alan Hiscox then, the BHS director of safety who has led the Dead Slow campaign for a decade. Alan describes himself as a terrier on this subject, grabbing on to it, refusing to let go, worrying away at it until something happens.

And it really has. The debate in Westminster Hall last week, at which 33 MPs from across the political spectrum stood up to explain exactly what needs to be done to keep horses and their people safe, was a great example. It wasn’t just the fact equestrian road safety was being discussed in parliament – a great achievement in itself – it was the tone of the debate.

As Alan said, there was a tangible atmosphere in the room, not only of interest but of support. MP after MP stood up to speak about constituents’ experiences, naming some of the horses whose lives have ended in tragedy on the roadside as the result of drivers’ behaviour. This has to change, was the message, and it seems to be hitting home.

The debate was secured by Newbury MP Lee Dillon, who has become a parliamentary figurehead for equestrian road safety, submitting an early day motion and a presentation bill on the subject, sparked by the death of young racehorse Knockalla in his constituency. He is a champion for equestrians – as is Alan Hiscox, and his team, without whom none of this would have happened.

Alan Hiscox on a close pass operation in Surrey in 2021 (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Alan spends much of his time travelling to all parts of the country. In the last 10 years, he’s visited countless MPs and riders, hosted safety talks in freezing village halls and ridden up and down roads himself with a police team at the ready to pull in careless drivers. He visits motor shows every year, to speak to the general public about the issue, he addresses the top road safety conferences in Britain. He works with police, councils, road safety partnerships, driver training organisations, driving instructors – the list is endless and so much of it never gets talked about. But it’s making a difference.

When the Highway Code changes were first announced, equestrians weren’t included, but that changed pretty quickly once Alan got on the case. This debate wouldn’t have happened had Alan not gone out to visit Knockalla’s connections, then come up with the idea of the awareness ride from Newbury to Windsor along with Project EDWARD. He invited Mr Dillon to the start of that ride and the rest is history. And the day after the Westminster Hall discussion, equestrian road safety came up in the House of Commons and the speaker promised to consider it for a formal debate.

What these events also show is that speaking up and making yourself heard makes a difference. Alan’s continuous plea is for equestrians to report everything – including near-misses and road rage incidents – to the BHS, online or via the Horsei app. This provides the data authorities need to act, as it shows them there’s a problem, and had Knockalla’s rider not reported that incident, none of the subsequent events would have happened.

Just about every MP who spoke last week cited the fact their constituents had contacted them with their concerns and asked them to go to the debate. They mentioned names; Blaze, who died in Windsor, Angel, killed in Essex, Loki, who suffered catastrophic injuries in Yorkshire. MPs are there to represent us and if we don’t tell them there’s a problem, they won’t know.

Of course the key, as Alan said, is the “what next?” It feels like momentum is building and change could be coming, but we’ve all got to keep at it. Dig those terrier teeth in and we could be on to something here.

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‘We’re just getting started’: project to give more young people from low socio-economic households access to horses proves successful

Becky Murray — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:33:33 +0000

A pilot scheme to boost participation among young people who did not have access to horses has been successful – and could be a way of highlighting future career paths.

Last year Aberdeen Riding Club (ARC) launched Project Mario to increase participation of 11- to 16-year-olds from low socio-economic households. The initiative was part of the British Horse Society’s (BHS) Everyone Welcome strategy, in which 12 riding schools each developed a way to increase participation from under-represented groups in equestrianism.

Project Mario involved five young people, with no or little horse experience, referred by charity Befriend a Child, having 11 weekly riding and horse management sessions. The initiative was funded by ARC and a club member donation.

The project was deemed a success; there was 90.58% average attendance, participants’ “soft skills” – behaviours needed for most jobs – improved, and one has remained in lessons. Participants have been invited to visit ARC whenever they like, and offered the opportunity to volunteer with therapy sessions or have work experience.

“Three of them hadn’t seen a horse in the flesh before, so until they had a session, we didn’t know how well they were going to engage – but from day one they were totally inspired,” ARC club manager and BHS chair Sally McCarthy told H&H.

“One rider is now interested in volunteering for the Riding for the Disabled Association group here. That’s the great thing about horses, there’s so many routes if people want to be involved, which don’t have cost as a barrier.

“And that was the thinking behind the project; ‘Let’s make sure that by the end it has given them enough key skills to go and volunteer or do work experience in future.’ For all we know, there could be a farrier, vet or coach within them as they develop and start to think about what they’re going to do after school.”

Ms McCarthy added that Project Mario had positive engagement from ARC members, helping raise awareness of the barriers to horses.

“As some of the young people come from households that don’t have cars, eight of our club members volunteered through Befriend a Child to drive them to sessions,” she said.

“It worked really well as it helped highlight how people don’t have access to horses because of various barriers – and they all built up really nice relationships and watched the young peoples’ confidence grow each week.”

ARC has now received £8,500 from National Lottery Community Fund (Scotland) to run two more Project Marios in 2026, reaching up to 20 more young people from low socio-economic households – and the club is keen to share information with other riding centres who are interested in running something similar.

ARC coach Liam Skea said it had been “so enjoyable” to see the benefits to the young people.

“They have developed lots of new skills and it’s been incredible seeing the progress they made each week and how they have grown in themselves,” he said.

“I consider myself very lucky to work in a role where I can work with young people who may not have thought horses were accessible to them and get to see them develop their confidence and realise just how amazing horses are.”

BHS chief executive James Hick told H&H projects like this are “a brilliant example of how we can help everyone feel welcome to become a part of the equestrian community”.

“It’s exactly what our Everyone Welcome scheme is all about. Over the past year, through 12 pilot centres across the UK, we have engaged nearly 400 people to date; 93% telling us they would have never otherwise encountered horses. This has worked hand in hand with our Changing Lives Through Horses scheme, which has been instrumental in scaling up Everyone Welcome participation.

“The pilots have delivered clear confidence, wellbeing and social connection benefits, generated more than 350 pieces of positive media coverage, and helped drive a fourfold increase in coaches gaining inclusive Coaching4All qualifications. Together, these results show that genuinely opening our doors wider is already transforming who feels welcome in the equestrian community, and strengthening its future.

“Everyone Welcome is helping us grow a more diverse, inclusive and vibrant equestrian world, and we’re only just getting started.”

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‘A unique connection between human and animal’: MPs unite to tell Government why horse and rider road safety is vital

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:44:17 +0000

After almost 10 years of sustained campaigning, MPs have united in parliament to set out why horses and riders must be better protected on Britain’s roads – and the Government says it is listening.

On 14 January 2026, almost a decade after the British Horse Society (BHS) launched its Dead Slow campaign, Newbury MP Lee Dillon led a debate calling for stricter requirements on horse and rider road safety. Mr Dillon has been working for change since young racehorse Knockalla was killed on the road in his constituency in 2024.

“I’m pleased to have secured this debate and grateful for the opportunity to raise an issue that has, for far too long, not received the attention it deserves,” Mr Dillon said. “It is a timely debate, because last week the Government published its new road safety strategy, stating that ‘every individual deserves to feel safe and supported’ on our roads’.

“Unfortunately, for many horse riders across the country, that aspiration does not reflect their lived reality. While the Government’s strategy does reference horse riders in some places, alongside other vulnerable road users, this is not consistent, and there is no specific mention of their safety.

“The issue goes far wider than a single document. Building a stronger foundation of road safety education, with clearer rules and guidance, is essential to ensure that all road users understand how to behave safely and responsibly when encountering horses on the road.”

Mr Dillon shared the most recent BHS statistics, showing that 3,118 incidents were reported to the BHS in 2024, including 58 horse fatalities and 80 human and 97 equine injuries. A total of 33 MPs spoke, supporting Mr Dillon’s efforts and raising a wide range of related issues.

MP Lee Dillon supported last year’s awareness ride (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“It’s important to emphasise how significant this debate is,” said Winchester MP and equine vet Danny Chambers. “It is not a niche issue. During my career as a horse vet, I have stitched up and euthanised more horses that have been hit by cars than I can remember – they get broken legs and their owners are injured. This is a very regular occurrence for vets.

“Just this morning in Winchester, a horse was hit by a car and had to be euthanised. This is not a niche problem, nor is it an unusual occurrence, so I fully support the action that my hon friend has taken in securing this debate.”

Mid Cheshire MP Andrew Cooper and Melksham and Devizes’ Brian Mathew said passing horses safely should be included in driver training, with which Mr Dillon agreed.

“The hierarchy of vulnerability introduced in 2022 is important in establishing who are the most vulnerable on our roads, but the Highway Code could go further and say ‘must’ go at 10 mph rather than ‘should’,” he said.

“Last September, I introduced the Road Traffic (Horse and Rider Safety) Bill. Through that presentation bill, I called on the Government to strengthen the Highway Code guidance for passing horses and improve driver education so motorists better understand horses’ behaviour and the potentially devastating consequences of their actions. Those changes would raise awareness among all road users and provide greater safety and reassurance when horses are ridden or pulling vehicles or carriages.”

Mr Dillon said the Government’s road safety strategy “missed some relatively straightforward opportunities to better protect horses and riders”.

“The strategy announced that the Ministry of Justice will consult on a new victims’ code,” he said. “I welcome that, but it raises an important issue. Under current law, horses are classed as personal property, which means that when one is killed or fatally injured in a road traffic collision, compensation is largely limited to financial loss.

“I have recently been contacted by Cathryn from Leeds, a long-standing horse rider and solicitor who supports people who have suffered serious injuries from horse accidents. She highlights the psychological trauma experienced by injured riders as a recurring theme, which is often compounded by guilt, grief and gratitude that the horse took the main impact and saved the rider from even greater harm. The current legal framework significantly restricts recognition of that emotional distress. I urge the Government to use the consultation on the new victims’ code to consider how horse riders and owners who lose horses can be properly recognised in that framework.”

Bridleways

St Ives MP Andrew George asked the Government to review bridleway capacity, so riders can avoid roads more, and Mr Dillon agreed, citing lack of council funding to spend on off-road access. The issue of Forestry England’s charging for equestrian access to publicly owned woodlands was also raised; Mr Dillon said “the Forestry Commission should work with all relevant groups to make open access as easy as possible”.

“The road safety strategy also announces the establishment of a new road safety board,” he added. “Given that horses and riders are among the most vulnerable of road users, will the Minister commit to ensuring that an equestrian representative organisation, such as the BHS, is included on that board?”

The Government was urged to make horse and rider road safety training mandatory for companies that operate large vehicles, and to consider national use of initiatives such as Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Services’ “Virtual Insanity Experience”, which invites drivers who have passed horses unsafely to experience the effects of this in a virtual reality setting.

Mansfield MP Steve Yemm highlighted the dangers of out-of-control dogs on the roads, giving the example of a ridden horse in his constituency who fractured all four legs when he was chased onto a road. South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith highlighted the number of ponies killed on Dartmoor roads, and asked whether councils could be “incentivised to think about roads used by riders when they set speed limits and road policies”. The fact off-road riding is “often overlooked” in planning decisions was also made.

MPs asked the Government how much has been done to ensure drivers are aware of the Highway Code changes and cited the need for councils to have funding to improve safety.

MP Jack Rankin spoke of an incident in his Windsor constituency last year when a mare was killed by a car travelling at 80mph.

The horse-human bond

“So often, the horse comes off worse, suffering the full force of a collision and often saving their rider in the process,” he said. “It is clear to anyone who hears [the rider] and many others talk about their beloved horses that we are dealing with a truly unique connection between human and sentient animal. That connection should be reflected in how horses are treated on our roads, in culture, in law and in practice. They are not inanimate objects; they are our friends.”

In response, roads minister Lilian Greenwood said it is clear more awareness is needed of the Highway code changes, adding: “As set out in the [road safety] strategy, we are considering options to improve the safety of both riders and their horses. We will work with stakeholders such as the BHS as we undertake that work. We will also continue to encourage safer road user behaviours in order to improve safety for all vulnerable road users, including horse riders.”

She added that she noted the point of equestrian representation on the national road safety board and “will consider what further work we can do” on driver training, and take account of the question of speed limit guidance, which is being updated.

“A number of matters raised today fall outside my remit,” she said. “I will ensure my Defra colleagues are alerted to the concerns raised regarding the provision and management of bridleways, and uncontrolled dogs.”

Cross-party support

BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox, who has been leading the Dead Slow campaign for almost 10 years, told H&H he was delighted by the cross-party support for the issue.

“There was an atmosphere in the room, not only of interest but of tangible support, from MPs across the political spectrum,” he said. “I was very pleased with the response, and this shows we are an effective lobbying group.

“I was pleased how many MPs were there who I’d been to see previously; some for the wrong reasons, when a horse has been killed or seriously injured in their constituencies, some who have invited me as constituents had asked them to contact the BHS. If you’ve got an issue and want us to help, we can; we can open doors people think are closed. This shows what we’re doing is worthwhile and is having an impact.”

Mr Hiscox said “the proof will be what happens next”, but he spoke to Ms Greenwood and hopes he will be on the national road safety board, as a “voice for riders and carriage drivers”.

He added: “We’re 10 years in; it’s been slow progress and sometimes tortuous but to get this – it is moving forward, in bite-sized pieces. It’s beginning to have an impact on the safety of horses and riders on the roads.

“And the whole catalyst for this was the report made about Knockalla. I went to see Gemma, the rider, we planned the awareness ride to Windsor, invited Lee Dillon, and he then submitted motions and secured this debate. If Gemma hadn’t let us know about Knockalla, this might have passed us by. An awful thing to happen but in memory of Kockalla, of Blaze killed in Windsor, of Angel in Essex – this is for them.”

Real-life experiences

Mr Dillon told H&H he wanted to thank all those riders who contacted their MPs ahead of the debate; many mentioned the numbers in their speeches.

“The volume of engagement, and the powerful real-life examples shared by riders and carriage drivers, played a vital role in ensuring that horse and rider road safety was taken seriously in Parliament,” he said. “I’m grateful for such an engaged, thoughtful, and constructive debate.

“The personal case studies raised during the debate brought home the very real risks people face on our roads every day, and the strong cross-party support gives us a solid foundation to push for better awareness, clearer guidance and safer infrastructure for horses and riders.”

Mr Dillon’s equestrian road safety bill was due to have its second reading on 16 January but as the house was not sitting, it has been adjourned until 27 February.

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‘Terrifying possibility’ of losing thousands of miles of off-road riding unless Government acts

Lucy Elder — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 10:52:43 +0000

Campaigners are calling on the Government to keep the promise it made 12 months ago to protect off-road access for riders.

Changes to the law, introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, meant that many historic routes used by riders and carriage drivers would have been lost if they weren’t formally recorded on the legal record of rights of way – or an application to record them had not been made.

New Year’s Day 2026 was the original cut-off date for recording historic paths on the definitive map. On Boxing Day 2024, the Government announced that it would be repealed in England, but the British Horse Society (BHS) is concerned by the lack of action.

“For over 25 years, we’ve been fighting an impending deadline to formally record historic routes on the definitive map, which was originally set for 1 January 2026,” said BHS director of access Mark Weston.

“While the former UK Government postponed this deadline and our current Government consequently announced its intention to repeal it, a year has already gone by and we’re yet to see any real action to reflect this decision. Without an official repeal, we still can’t rule out the terrifying possibility of losing over 40,000 miles of unrecorded paths.”

Mr Weston added that any further losses “will be devastating” for equestrians and that the BHS is “urgently calling on the Government to take decisive action and officially repeal the cut-off date, as they stated”.

“We also want to see the introduction of a green paper on access and critically, for horse riders to be included in active travel plans – as, so far, we’ve been ignored,” he said.

Active Travel England is a Government agency responsible for “making walking, wheeling and cycling the preferred choice for everyone to get around in England”.

Phil Wadey, who was appointed MBE in the New Year Honours List, also highlighted the situation when he spoke to H&H on receiving his honour (news, 8 January).

He noted that in England, the cut-off for recording historic paths is now set at 1 January 2031, which the Government has pledged to repeal, while in Wales it was abolished.

“It will be important to hold the Government to its promise this year, so we can remove the pressure on volunteers and on local authorities to record all their paths by 2031,” Dr Wadey told H&H.

H&H asked the BHS what the Government needs to do, what the BHS has done over the last year and what equestrians can do to help.

Mr Weston told H&H the BHS continues to press for legislation to officially implement the repeal.

“We’re pleased that the environmental improvement plan (EIP) now places a firm commitment on the Government to do this. However, we await Defra who is responsible for its delivery,” he said.

The Government describes the EIP as its “roadmap for restoring England’s environment over the coming years”.

Mr Weston said: “In the meantime, we continue to work closely with key stakeholders as well as the Government to drive meaningful change. Last year, we met with Baroness Hayman to discuss key equestrian access issues which notably included a call for an official repeal, among other items.

“We addressed the Government’s announcement to create river walks and why these trails need to be accessed by horse riders, why the provision of new access via woodland grants should provide for all users and not just walkers, as well as why access to ‘access land’ under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act should be extended to equestrians.”

He added: “Additionally, we spoke about active travel routes and have since had the opportunity to comment on the Active Travel England’s draft rural design guidance. Following this conversation, we’re also pleased the Government has since recognised the need for horse riders to be included in the new river walk announced at the end of 2025.

“We recognise, however, that greater work needs to be done and continue to input into the All Party Parliamentary Group for Outdoor Recreation and Access to Nature.”

He added that the BHS encourages equestrians to share personal stories to reinforce the value of safe off-road routes, and to contact councillors and MPs every time equestrians are excluded from active travel routes.

“Collectively, we can lobby local councillors and MPs to help shape future legislation. The more people across the equine community who contact their local representatives, whether that be by phone or in writing (email/letter), the greater impact we’ll see,” he said.

A Defra spokesperson told H&H that when parliamentary time allows, it will repeal the 2031 cut-off date.

“Our countryside and green spaces are a source of great national pride, but too many people across the country are left without access to the great outdoors,” said the spokesperson.

“We remain committed to repealing the 2031 deadline for recording historic rights of way, thereby protecting thousands of miles of unrecorded rights of way used by walkers, cyclists and equestrians.”

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Concern as horses and riders ‘largely overlooked’ in new national road safety strategy

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:24:18 +0000

Concerns have been raised about the fact equestrians “remain largely overlooked” in the Government’s new national road safety strategy.

The Department for Transport (DfT) released its first new road safety strategy for over a decade yesterday (7 January), promising that it would save “thousands of lives”, and that it shows the Government is “listening and leading”.

The document does include “horse riders” with other vulnerable road users in some places, but not all, and there is no specific mention of their safety. The latest British Horse Society (BHS) statistics show 18,683 road incidents involving horses were reported between November 2010 and the end of 2024, causing 47 human and 697 equine deaths, and 1,782 human and 1,625 equine injuries.

“It’s encouraging to see that this strategy represents an initial step towards a more structured, government-led approach to safety,” BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H.

“However, while equestrians are mentioned, they do remain largely overlooked. We know that horses and riders are among the most vulnerable road users, with a high risk of serious or fatal injuries, yet they’re not included in the targeted measures for vulnerable groups. For example, new vehicle safety technologies include emergency braking systems for cyclists and pedestrians, but do not consider horses.

“The document reinforces the need for there to be greater recognition of the horse-rider partnership when defining vulnerable road users. In equestrian-related collisions, the horse and rider are inseparable in terms of both risk and outcome.”

Mr Hiscox said it is a positive that the hierarchy of road users, as included in the updated Highway Code, is referenced in the strategy.

“But we can’t forget that awareness of this concept remains limited outside the road safety profession,” he said. “Surveys carried out by our team indicate that only around 10% of drivers are aware of the 2022 Highway Code changes. This simply must change if we’re going to see a real difference to equestrian safety.

“We continue to work closely with the DfT and hope that, in the near future, we can encourage even greater considerations for the equine community.”

Driver behaviour

Lawyer Charlotte Dowson, associate in the complex injury team at Bolt Burdon Kemp agreed it is good the strategy recognises that equestrians and horses are vulnerable road users, and the importance of improving driver behaviour and awareness.

“The reference to the hierarchy of road users and engagement with representative organisations are also positive steps,” she told H&H.

“However, while equestrians are mentioned, they remain largely absent from the strategy’s targeted measures. Collisions involving horses frequently result in severe or catastrophic outcomes, riders sustaining life-changing injuries and horses often having to be euthanised at the scene. These incidents also pose serious risks to drivers and passengers.

“The horse-rider partnership is inseparable in terms of risk and outcome, yet this reality is not adequately reflected in vehicle safety technology, driver education or enforcement. Without clearer, more explicit consideration of equestrians within practical safety measures, there is a real risk that this long recognised road safety issue will continue to be insufficiently addressed.”

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy that devastates families and communities. For too long, progress on road safety has stalled. This strategy marks a turning point.

“We are taking decisive action to make our roads safer for everyone, from new drivers taking their first lessons to older motorists wanting to maintain their independence. The measures we are announcing today will save thousands of lives over the coming decade.”

A Westminster Hall debate on equestrian road safety has been secured for 14 January.

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‘Don’t underestimate your impact’: riders urged to act as MPs set to debate equestrian road safety

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 17:21:34 +0000

Equestrians are urged not to underestimate the power they can have to make change, as MPs prepare to discuss horse and rider road safety in parliament.

Newbury MP Lee Dillon has secured a debate in Westminster Hall next Wednesday (14 January), and he and the British Horse Society (BHS) are urging riders to contact their MPs to ask them to attend.

H&H reported on Mr Dillon’s ongoing campaign to improve horse and rider road safety, working with the BHS, the British Horseracing Authority and Project EDWARD, representatives of which are to attend the debate. Mr Dillon has submitted an early day motion and a presentation bill to parliament, both seeking to improve safety. The presentation bill is due to have its second reading in parliament on 16 January.

“The debate aims to raise awareness of near-misses, serious injuries and fatalities, and to explore practical steps to improve safety for this vulnerable group,” Mr Dillon said.

“Horses and riders remain some of the most vulnerable road users, and incidents on rural roads can have life-changing consequences. This debate is a chance for MPs to come together, raise awareness, and push for practical, common-sense measures to protect riders and horses. It is not about blaming drivers; it’s about making our roads safer for everyone.”

The debate comes a week after the Government released its new national road safety strategy, which does mention horses and riders among vulnerable road users, although concerns have been raised about the lack of reference to equestrians in some areas. A spokesperson for Mr Dillon said the strategy’s release “provides a timely opportunity to highlight practical measures to protect riders and horses and build cross-party support”.

Making a difference

Mr Dillon told H&H that if riders contact their MPs to ask them to attend the debate, it will make a difference.

“Don’t underestimate the impact you can have as an individual,” he said. “Contact your MP and tell them what you’re seeing on the roads. Real stories from real people are what drive change in parliament.

“This debate is happening because riders, drivers, and local communities spoke up, and the more voices we hear, the stronger the case for safer roads becomes.”

The BHS is also asking equestrians to ask their MPs to attend and has created a template letter and email on its website, ahead of a “momentous week for equestrian safety”.

BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H: “Together, we can amplify riders’ voices and raise awareness of the serious injuries and fatalities our horses face every day. But we can’t do this without the help of the equestrian community.

“That’s why we’re asking equestrians to write to their local MP, urging them to attend the parliamentary debate on 14 January. The more MPs hear from us, the greater the chance that we’ll see promising change towards protecting horses, riders and carriage drivers.”

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Royal recognition for safety campaign set up to reduce horse deaths on the roads

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 17:31:06 +0000

A major royal award given to the British Horse Society (BHS) is a “pivotal moment for equestrian safety”, it is hoped.

The charity was highly commended at the 2025 Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards in November, in recognition of its Dead Slow road safety campaign. The awards are presented to organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to improving road safety.

“In awarding BHS’s Dead Slow campaign, Prince Michael recognised its success over a 10-year period as it continues to develop across the UK to deliver enhanced safety for all horse owners and carers,” a BHS spokesperson said. “This acknowledgement is a pivotal moment for equestrian safety, reinforcing the significant importance of working collaboratively to reduce the number of incidents and injuries involving our horses and riders on the road.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox said it was a huge honour to be given the award for the campaign, which is 10 years old next year.

“It’s been an important collaborative initiative to inform and involve road users on how to pass horses safely on the road,” he said.

“We’re pleased that HRH and the judges recognised our contribution and were impressed by the consistent effort, sustained over a long period. In this time, we’ve had significant successes including the notable introduction of our Dead Slow behavioural messages in the Highway Code, and, most recently, a Dead Slow awareness ride with Project EDWARD that led to a presentation bill being introduced to parliament. Both are essential pieces of work to increase the safety of equestrians and their horses on our roads.”

Mr Hiscox said none of the campaign’s achievements would have been possible without the “brilliant support” of BHS volunteers, stakeholders and the equestrian community.

“Together, we continue to drive real change, and this award is a testament to all that hard work,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be recognised amongst many other organisations who work incredibly hard to shape the future of road safety and look forward to another 10 years of Dead Slow.”

The most recent statistics, released by the BHS last January, show 58 horses were killed on Britain’s roads the previous year, and 3,118 incidents were reported to the BHS in total. Riders are urged to report all incidents and near misses to police, and to the BHS via its Horsei app or online, as the statistics are crucial in helping bring about change.

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‘You have to fight for it’: horse world’s continued push for change to firework legislation

Becky Murray — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:44:52 +0000

The calls for change to firework legislation continue as horse owners prepare for New Year’s Eve celebrations – but what is the solution?

Every year horses suffer injuries – some of which are fatal – in incidents involving fireworks.

Fireworks are no longer just an issue on 5 November; they are used to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year – as well as weddings and other occasions. Although regulations exist around when fireworks can be bought and let off, problems still occur.

As the year comes to a close, H&H has reviewed the current situation and spoken to those campaigning for change.

Horse owner Joanna Barnett has raised awareness about fireworks since the loss of her mare Tallulah, who died when fireworks were let off near her field in Horley, Surrey, on 31 December 2022. Tallulah “crashed through a fence in terror” and was found collapsed on the road. She received veterinary treatment, but could not be saved.

Pictured: Joanna Barnett and her much-loved mare Tallulah. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“She was suffering and it became abundantly clear the only thing I could do was put her to sleep,” Joanna told H&H.

“We’ve since created our own animal safe zone, and other than the village organised display, I don’t think anyone lets off fireworks now, which has made a huge difference. But another nearby village the week before Halloween, it was like a war zone. How can you prepare animals for that? Until you’ve seen that suffering, people don’t understand.”

Equine welfare charity Redwings has this first-hand experience, having lost three residents, Cinders, Percy and Sprite, to fireworks-related incidents.

Pictured left-to-right: Cinders, Percy and Sprite. (Image credit: Redwings)

Redwings introduced its Keep Horses in Mind initiative in 2024 calling for a review of legislation, raising awareness and gathering evidence via a round-table discussion and survey. This September Redwings launched a petition asking for the maximum noise level for consumer fireworks to be reduced from 120 to 90 decibels. By November it reached the 100,000 signatures needed to be considered for a parliament debate and it is awaiting an update.

“There are a range of options in terms of what would be the ideal solution,” Redwings campaigns manager Helen Whitelegg told H&H, adding that these range from an outright ban to limiting fireworks to organised licensed displays – as is being called for by another petition.

“The reason we’re pushing this noise angle is we feel it is a more practical solution at a time when the Government is reluctant to consider more involved regulatory change, particularly ones that place burdens on local authorities.”

The petition has more than 174,000 signatures.

Sign the petition

“We know this call for noise to be reduced appeals to dog owners, military veterans, people with autistic family members. We’re really pleased to be bringing people together,” said Ms Whitelegg.

The Government responded on 7 November, having issued an earlier response which was challenged by the petitions committee owing to not “directly responding” to the petition’s request.

The revised Government response stated: “Noise is one of the key issues we are seeking views on. The Government is also considering the experience of other countries where lower noise limits are in place for consumer fireworks to understand the impact this has had and to identify best practice”.

Below video: A number of horse owners shared video footage with H&H of recent incidents showing the impact of fireworks on their horses.

“You can’t give up. Change is never given to anyone”

Luton North MP Sarah Owen introduced a private member’s bill in October 2024 to restrict the noise and sale of fireworks. Ms Owen told H&H she hears regularly about the “absolute distress” caused by fireworks.

“I want to see change,” Ms Owen said. “I think that there is a mixture of people that use fireworks for anti-social behaviour, but there are also a group that just don’t know what they’re buying. If you look at the packaging, the F categories don’t really mean anything to most people.”

Fireworks in the UK are categorised from F1 to F4. The first three categories apply to consumer fireworks that can be used by the public; sparklers and party poppers are category F1 and can be used indoors and F2 fireworks are considered suitable for confined areas such as gardens. F3 fireworks, which includes large rockets, have a minimum spectator distance of 25m. Category F4 fireworks may only be bought and operated by professionals.

The bill’s second reading is scheduled for 16 January 2026, having been delayed as parliament discussed the assisted dying bill. In the meantime, Ms Owen is having meetings and sponsored an event at Westminster on 12 November organised by the Fireworks Impact Coalition, a group made up of 19 human and animal charities, and attended by 94 MPs.

Ms Owen believes there is still work needed to find the right solution – and said this should focus on licensing.

“Looking at Scotland, exclusion [control] zones haven’t solved the problem, and so it does give pause for thought, what is the best way? I don’t think any country has really cracked this. For me, it’s the licensing side – if you just go down the enforcement route, they’re [loud fireworks] still in the market,” she said.

An ongoing talking point is why nothing has yet changed. Ms Owen said change requires time – and much of parliament’s time has been dominated in the last two years by the economy, health and women’s safety.

“You can’t give up. Change is never given to anyone. You really have to fight for it,” she said, highlighting that as there was a change in Government last year, many MPs are newer to these discussions.

The British Horse Society’s latest firework statistics. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Scotland’s approach

The Scottish Government launched the Fireworks and Pyrotechnics Articles (Scotland) Act 2022. Under this, local authorities can grant control zones – as referenced by Ms Owen – where it is against the law for the public to set off fireworks anywhere in the zone, including on private property, but organised public displays are allowed.

H&H sent freedom of information requests to local authorities to ask how many zones have been granted.

Of the 32 local authorities, six received applications since 2023 – but only two, Glasgow City and City of Edinburgh, granted zones. One local authority did not hold this information.

From the 19 applications Glasgow received in 2024, eight were from animal welfare groups and two were granted. Of 13 applications received this year, two related to animals and both were granted.

The City of Edinburgh Council granted all four applications it received in 2024 and nine of 11 applications in 2025 – all which cited either animals, horses and or/wildlife.

In 2024 and 2025 animal charity SSPCA had a zone at its Edinburgh site, where residents include horses. The charity told H&H it made the animals “much calmer”. But an application for its small animal Glasgow site was rejected, and the charity said better dialogue is needed with local authorities to “understand what the barriers are to securing zones”.

The British Horse Society (BHS) said Scotland has “led the way” with firework legislation – but highlighted concerns.

“How these zones should and could be enforced is an ongoing challenge and there is work to be done,” Des Payne, BHS safety team manager, told H&H, adding that the criteria for a zone are “not well publicised”.

Ms Payne said the Scottish legislation was “rushed through” and some provisions have been paused including mandatory licensing for fireworks. Responding to this, a Scottish Government spokesperson told H&H the “majority” of the act was implemented but licensing was paused owing to “significant financial and resource consequences”.

“Nobody would condone irresponsible use”

H&H spoke to Tom Smith of the British Pyrotechnists Association (BPA), a trade body that represents professional firework display companies and works with the Government and organisations including the RSPCA.

The BPA advocates: “the right fireworks, in the right place, at the right time” and encourages organisers to let people know of planned displays. But Dr Smith does not believe there is a need for tougher legislation.

“Nobody, and certainly not the industry, would condone irresponsible, illegal use. Even if you’re letting off fireworks in your garden we say, ‘Let your neighbours know’,” he said.

“In terms of consumer fireworks, there’s restrictions on periods of sale, time they may be used, noise level. Restricting sales to a shorter period is not necessarily going to make it any better – unintended consequences are always a problem.

“I think the problem has got worse in Scotland since the regulations [were introduced]. There could be all sorts of reasons for that, but the basic one I think is that it was poorly enforced.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson told H&H Police Scotland reported an almost 37% reduction in fireworks-related calls in 2025 compared to 2024 – and “no significant incidents” were recorded between 31 October and 4 November this year.

Invite your MP to your yard

MP for Winchester and equine vet Danny Chambers told H&H he has treated horses with fireworks-related injuries. He is in favour of a noise reduction and having more control over who can set them off and when.

Mr Chambers encourages horse owners to speak to their MPs, adding that as a vet he is aware of the challenges, but other MPs will not have this experience.

“Invite your MP to your yard or event and get them to meet your horses. It will mean more than just getting an email saying, ‘My horse doesn’t like fireworks’ – when they’ve never seen a horse react,” he said.

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First equestrian access strategy aims to improve options for horses and riders

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 01 Nov 2025 14:50:22 +0000

The first equestrian access strategy approved in Wales can inspire others to work together for the benefit of horses and riders, it is hoped.

The cabinet of Carmarthenshire County Council has approved the strategy, which sets out its long-term plan to improve equestrian access across the county.

A spokesperson for the council said the document “reflects the council’s ambition to support the equestrian community, enhance rural connectivity and promote inclusive access to the countryside”.

He added: “The strategy provides a framework for delivery over the next 10 years, as Carmarthenshire aims to develop a more accessible, better connected network for equestrian use. It outlines a phased approach, beginning with the establishment of an equine user group and a volunteer equine maintenance workforce. These early actions will help shape priorities and strengthen the delivery of future improvements.”

The strategy was developed after consultation with equestrian businesses, clubs, individuals, and elected representatives, as well as the British Horse Society (BHS). The report sets out the public rights of way (PROW) situation in the county: some 166km of bridleways, and 83km of restricted byways and byways open to all traffic (BOATs) that riders and carriage drivers may use.

As well as establishing the user group and volunteer workforce, the council has committed to actions including assessing footpaths on suitability to be upgraded to bridleways, assessing council-owned land on potential for equestrian use and potentially working with other landowners to add to the PROW network.

“We want to enhance the equestrian access offer, under local authority control, in Carmarthenshire,” the strategy states. “We will strive to work across the whole local authority portfolio to seize opportunities to improve and, where possible, broaden equestrian access, working collaboratively with our partner organisations to realise our objectives.

“By delivering the actions contained in this strategy we want to maximise the potential health, wellbeing and economic benefits that equestrianism brings to our county. We intend to see the outcomes of this strategy delivered for our equestrian community, within current resources in this challenging economic climate for local government.”

County councillor and cabinet member for climate change, decarbonisation and sustainability Aled Vaughan Owen added: “This strategy sets out a clear direction for how we will work with the equestrian community to improve access in a realistic and sustainable way. It recognises the importance of horses in Carmarthenshire’s rural identity and the wider benefits equestrianism brings to our communities.”

BHS director of access Mark Weston congratulated the council on the BHS’s behalf for adopting the strategy.

“It’s great to see that the need for riders and carriage drivers to have safe places and routes is being so greatly recognised,” he told H&H.

“As a first of its kind in Wales, we’re proud to have played a key collaborative role in delivering this incredibly important piece of work for the local equestrian community. Currently, less than 10% of the county’s rights of way are open to equestrians – notably lower than neighbouring counties. For carriage drivers, who are only entitled to use restricted byways and BOATS, only 3.27% of the network can be lawfully accessed.

“This equestrian strategy intends to change these statistics – it’s a celebration of what’s being achieved locally and, critically, highlights the great work that can be achieved when the right people come together. We hope this will inspire more people to campaign for action within their local councils.”

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Horse owners warned about creating unintended contracts on WhatsApp when buying and selling

Becky Murray — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 12:03:41 +0000

Equestrian buyers and sellers have been warned to be aware of entering into “unintended” contracts via online messages following a recent High Court ruling.

In the case of Jaevee Homes Ltd v Fincham, the parties discussed a construction project via WhatsApp, but never signed a written contract. After a payment dispute arose later, a judge ruled that a binding contract had been formed based on these communications because essential elements of a contract were included such as an offer, acceptance and terms.

Equine lawyer Hannah Bradley, partner at Aria Grace Law CIC, told H&H that although this was not an equine case, it sets a precedent and provides “important guidance for those who negotiate sales via messaging platforms”.

“This applies for social media messaging like Facebook, WhatsApp or text; where despite the informality, you can form a legally binding contract,” she said, adding that it is common in the horse world for buyers and sellers to use these platforms to exchange photos, negotiate prices or arrange viewings and vettings.

“Aside from the risk of creating a binding contract when you don’t intend to, the further problem is, you are not necessarily confined to what you think you have agreed. There are many terms that might be implied by statutory or common law and they can all become part of the contract, which is a bit of an uncontrolled beast. You can also fail to include terms which you might have wanted to. Whereas if you have a formal written contract you can generally consider and regulate what the terms are in a bit more detail.”

Ms Bradley said a lot of legal cases arise in the equestrian world based on contracts formed via electronic communication.

“It’s obviously a time when people are excited about a new horse and want to do things quickly, and often they’re not thinking about the potential adverse consequences,” she said.

“It’s about being aware and exercising caution when you’re entering into these communications, whether you’re the buyer or seller.”

To reduce the risk of creating “unintended contracts”, Ms Bradley advises to use language to clarify that discussions are preliminary and non-binding, such as “subject to signed contract” and “pending formal agreement”. She also recommends considering independent legal advice for complex or high-value sales.

“While messaging apps provide speed and convenience, they also demand care. Every message could be relied on at a later date whether it be to prove a contract, or in respect of a dispute post sale,” she said.

“Once preliminary negotiations are complete, send a formal written contract via email or signed on paper in person. That contract should set out all the key terms, and contain warranties that are important to either party. By using cautious language and moving to formal agreements when appropriate, you can protect yourself from accidental commitments.”

British Horse Society director of horse care and welfare Gemma Stanford told H&H it is “incredibly important” to draw up a formula agreement when buying a horse.

“While fast communication tools such as text conversations are convenient, they’re no substitute for well drafted contracts. It’s the only way for everyone to be completely explicit on what has been agreed,” she said.

“We advise you to clearly state the terms and conditions the horse was purchased under, including arrangements regarding a deposit and the circumstances in which this deposit should be returned. Make sure both parties sign the document, to avoid any disputes. We know that it can be a daunting process, but there are many tools to support people with drafting a contract.”

Ms Stanford added that the BHS offers a sales agreement service to its members to assist with pulling together a “fool-proof” sales contract.

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Equestrians’ frustrations at hollow promises around woodland access

Lucy Elder — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 09:03:07 +0000

Riders and carriage drivers are frustrated as they are unable to access woodland routes, after a hollow promise to “make riding accessible to more riders across the nation’s forests”.

H&H reported that equestrians had lost access to off-road parking at Abbot’s Wood and Friston Forest in East Sussex (news, 7 August). The move happened in May, when Forestry England scrapped the requirement for equestrians to have paid permits to ride in most woodlands, including those managed by third parties such as TROT (Toll Rides Off-Road Trust).

This followed a survey by Forestry England, supported by the British Horse Society (BHS), in 2023 as part of Forestry England’s review of its permit systems to “ensure protocols are fit for purpose”. In 2022, when early conversations were taking place between the BHS and Forestry England, BHS director of access Mark Weston told H&H the society opposed permits for publicly owned land where access for other users is free – and said there should be no “discrimination” against equestrians.

H&H has heard from a number of equestrians affected by Forestry England’s decision to withdraw off-road parking for horseboxes in many locations. Although one said the changes to Friston Forest are “excellent” and offer safe, off-road riding for all, most spoke of frustration and sadness that they are in effect excluded from using the woodlands, plus safety concerns about the lack of off-road parking.

The reactions were related to both woodlands mentioned in the initial article, and others.

Among these is Clowes Wood, Kent, where Sarah Claydon has ridden for more than 12 years. But the loss of parking means it is no longer a possibility as it is “too dangerous” to hack along that road.

“We are being pushed out,” she told H&H, adding that riders have tried to fight, but it is “like hitting a brick wall”.

She added that the reasoning given by Forestry England centred on health and safety, as those areas are used by forestry machinery, but she has never had or heard of a problem in the years she has been parking there.

H&H also understands that the loss of horsebox parking means equine community police volunteers can no longer access and patrol Clowes Wood, a loss to both riders and the wider public.

Rider Katie Blatchford has ridden in the area for 26 years and has seen a significant change in traffic on the roads in that time, to the point she will no longer ride on them.

She told H&H the horsebox parking at Clowes Wood is “much needed”.

“It’s not a huge woodland but it’s perfect for an hour or two out. It has a fully surfaced outer track, so can be used all year round without fear of churning up ground. Those of us who paid for our permits were more than happy to do so for safety,” she said.

“Losing the box parking is devastating. There is nowhere else to park safely to access the woods, and hacking there is not a safe option either.”

Canterbury city councillor James Flanagan, whose ward includes Clowes Wood, was contacted by riders when they learnt they would lose parking. He and riders have been in contact with Forestry England, including a Zoom meeting to highlight the need for horsebox parking, but to no avail. The issue has also been brought to the attention of the BHS and Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield.

Cllr Flanagan told H&H the public road leading to the woods is a busy single carriageway, and the entrance is on a sharp bend with limited visibility.

He said access to the deboxing area is “a safety issue” as it is “far too dangerous” to ride or walk a horse along the road, and that he has contacted – and will follow up with – Kent County Council’s highways team and Kent Police about the road safety aspect.

Permits are required for riding at Bramshill (which was communicated this spring), Warren Heath and Heath Warren in Hampshire, as this is a protected area. But Forestry England says it has issued 250 permits and “unfortunately will not be able to accommodate further requests for this year”.

At sites including Hemsted Forest, Bedgebury and King’s Wood, all in the south-east, information on the Forestry England website states that permits are not required for riding, but “due to a high volume of interest” it has temporarily paused all applications for de-boxing access while it puts a new system in place. Riders who previously held a TROT permit can continue to use it for parking for now.

H&H has also heard from carriage drivers facing access issues at a number of woodlands, which pre-date Forestry England’s actions this spring.

Roads are busier than ever. Department for Transport statistics show that annual traffic by motor vehicles increased from 261.9 billion miles/year in 1994 to 336.2 billion miles/year in 2024 – an increase of 74.3 billion miles/year. In 2024 alone, 58 horses died on Britain’s roads and more than 3,100 incidents were reported to the BHS, but the charity believes the number of incidents to be much higher.

Mr Weston told H&H in July that the BHS continues to “work with Forestry England to try to make sure that all equestrians can continue to get to, and safely use, these woodland sites”. He added that “this communication and collaborative work will carry on until we can hopefully find a solution that works for equestrians and Forestry England alike.”

A BHS spokesperson told H&H on 21 August that they are not in a place to share any further updates yet but that the collaborative work with Forestry England is a “key priority and ongoing”.

H&H has contacted Forestry England for comment.

Julie Chantler of TROT told H&H it is sad to hear of the loss of access. She said that the change has had a big impact on TROT membership numbers, and that the charity is “very much still going”, helping to provide other off-road routes to riders and carriage drivers.

“We had a good relationship with Forestry England, it worked well. Our members are responsible people, and they really appreciated the secure horsebox parking,” she said.

TROT membership also had benefits to both sides in other ways, including a simple way to contact all riders in advance should routes be closed at certain times owing to forestry operations, an emergency contact number, plus the knowledge that all members are required to have third-party liability insurance.

“We are actively looking to try and get more landowners on board. I’m hoping riders will get behind us and we would like to know of any farmers or land owners that would be interested in having riders on their land – we will happily try and work with you to get a route set up and some extra income for you,” she said.

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84 more precious riding schools lost but some positive signs in tough times

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 13:55:53 +0000

Britain has lost 84 precious riding schools since 2022 – but the rate of closures has slowed, and there is praise for the resilience of those who are surviving, and thriving.

British Horse Society (BHS) research showed that 250 schools closed between 2018 and 2022, a 15% drop leaving 1,497 in Britain. The BHS has since found that 84 more have closed; CEO James Hick told H&H this 6% drop is less bad, “but still a very stark number”.

“We estimated last time that it was more than one million hours of riding opportunity lost per year,” Mr Hick said. “So this is another half of that again. More than 80% of people learn, get their first experience of horses, in a riding school. So it’s still a very bleak picture in many respects.”

But there is positive news; the BHS found a “considerable increase” in animal activity licensing. Since 2022, 174 more of these licences have been issued for equine-related endeavours. This can include “pony parties” but also equine-assisted therapy.

“That’s good news, because there’s an opportunity for people to engage with horses,” Mr Hick said. “We know from the Voconiq research, if people engage once they’re 50% more likely to advocate for horses.

“The news is not good, but it could be a lot worse. And the resilience is incredible. I’m always blown away by the ability people have to be innovative and creative in terms of thinking about their businesses, as well as delivering day to day.”

Mr Hick said capacity is not generally an issue; many schools have waiting lists, it is more productivity and profitability. Staffing remains a challenge and Mr Hick cited the BHS’s career transition fund, which has issued more than 1,400 vouchers to help people train to be coaches. This supports those who provide the coaches’ training.

The BHS Changing Lives Through Horses (CLTH) programme, which helps disengaged young people, is also growing.

“That’s really important in improving profitability, doing good, proving [the effect of] horses in society,” Mr Hick said “Last academic year, we had more than 1,700 young people in the programme, and we’ve got 150 riding schools able to deliver it, which is brilliant. We’ll continue to help develop schools into that.”

Work is ongoing on quantifying the value of horses in society, and the benefit of involving horses in “green social prescribing”; supporting people in outdoor activities for its health benefits, which could mean funding for providers.

“I estimate that CLTH creates around £4m incremental value to riding schools a year,” Mr Hick said, adding that such activities also benefit participants, and society.

Overall, Mr Hick said he is optimistic, despite the continuing cost of living.

“I’m relieved by the statistics, because they could have been much worse,” he said. “It’s still extremely challenging but centres are rising to the challenge. I feel very positive, because I see so much good and how people are shifting and adapting.”

One thriving riding school is Rein and Shine near Swindon, run by John and Johanna McDonald.

“I’m not horsey,” Mr McDonald told H&H. “It works because there’s a non-horsey person looking after the business. She’s the horsey one, I’m happier looking at a spreadsheet!”

Mr McDonald said the business-focused approach is key, as well as top customer service. The school recognises that there are at least two clients for each session; riders and their parents or partners.

“I thought it was crazy to have a business where half the clients don’t want to be there,” he said. “If you provide the right facilities – snacks and drinks, a dry place to watch – there’s something for them too.”

The couple ensured the school and livery yard had financial and business plans and structures.

“It’s run like any business, with sales, marketing, HR,” Mr McDonald said. “You have to have that to thrive.”

The school also offers non-ridden horse-related activities, as well as the CLTH programme, which accounts for about 25% of its revenue, so the McDonalds get “the satisfaction of helping develop young people” as well as the boost to the business. They work with further education providers and PGL adventure holidays, and emphasise charging appropriate prices for a quality service.

“Little things add up, and it’s about marketing and focusing on developing and seeing the opportunities for your business,” Mr McDonald said.

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Equestrians baffled as scheme for woodland riding makes things worse

Lucy Elder — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:45:36 +0000

Equestrians are at a loss as a scheme designed to improve access to off-road riding and carriage driving has had the opposite effect in some woodlands.

Forestry England announced this spring that riders would be able to access 49 more woodlands in England without permits from May, in what was hailed a “great step for equestrians” (news, 20 March). It partnered with the British Horse Society (BHS) to achieve this, and the move replaced historic arrangements, including those managed by third parties such as TROT (Toll Rides Off-Road Trust).

But long-term users of two such sites, Friston Forest and Abbot’s Wood in East Sussex, contacted H&H to highlight that access to the secure horsebox parking areas was withdrawn when the change happened. The riders said TROT told them in advance they would lose their access, and they have repeatedly contacted Forestry England to ask for a solution.

Mary Hindle, who was a TROT member, told H&H she has boxed her carriage-driving Shetlands to the woods for years. Although she is within hacking distance of Abbot’s Wood, after “several near misses on the very busy road”, she has vowed never to do that again.

“The only options we now have are to park on the side of the road, unload and put our ponies on the road, or retire our older mare and rehome our younger pony,” she said, adding that she would happily pay for parking.

“The frustration of seeing our safe, off-road parking standing empty and unused is immense. This is a heartbreaking situation for us and I know many equestrians are deeply upset at the situation.”

Hannah Sutch, also a former TROT member, has been riding in Friston Forest and Abbot’s Wood for 16 years; both are within a 20-minute drive of her yard.

She has tried parking on the edge of the road but said it is not safe.

“If it’s free, but you can’t get there – you can’t park there – how is it available to everyone? It is only available to those on the doorstep,” she told H&H, adding that she would also be “more than happy” to pay for parking.

A spokesperson for Forestry England’s Kent & Weald ops team told H&H continued use of areas previously used for horsebox parking “no longer meets our health and safety requirements for riders, our operational teams or other forest visitors”.

The spokesperson said when it made the move to provide free access, it separately reviewed the safety and suitability of horsebox parking arrangements.

“At Friston Forest and Abbot’s Wood, horsebox access was previously enabled via an informal addition to a third-party agreement that allowed members to unlock forest barriers and drive on internal forest roads for deboxing and parking – the parking areas being small patches of gravel shared with forest operations,” said the spokesperson.

“These routes are not open to the general public, due to the operational risks associated with shared use, particularly where forestry vehicles are active.”

The spokesperson added that these are part of an “active working woodland with ongoing timber harvesting operations – around 2,000 tonnes annually”, with frequent use of heavy machinery, and are “not designed or suitable for general public use”.

He added there was also no mechanism to control when people access the sites and they had reports of barrier codes being compromised.

“Unfortunately, alternative solutions, including the use of existing visitor car parks or nearby land, have also been found unsuitable due to high visitor volumes, space limitations, and current financial constraints that prevent us from developing and maintaining dedicated equestrian facilities,” he said.

“We appreciate that this change has been disappointing for some riders, and we want to reassure the equestrian community that we remain committed to supporting safe access for horse riders wherever possible across the nation’s forests.”

BHS director of access Mark Weston told H&H the charity understands “just how incredibly frustrating this is for all those who have been using these facilities”.

“We continue to work with Forestry England to try to make sure that all equestrians can continue to get to, and safely use, these woodland sites,” he said. “This communication and collaborative work will carry on until we can hopefully find a solution that works for equestrians and Forestry England alike.”

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Second chances: horses rescued from neglect and abandonment bring joy as much-loved riding school members

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 13:47:34 +0000

A cob who was found abandoned in a stranger’s garden and is now a much-loved riding school horse is just one of 18 neglected equines thriving owing to a new partnership.

Bransby Horses has joined forces with the British Horse Society (BHS) as part of the latter’s Second Chance project. The scheme, which has already benefited 130 horses in collaboration with the RSPCA, involves rehoming rescued horses to BHS approved riding centres.

Since the launch of the Bransby partnership last November, 18 horses rescued by the charity have been rehomed to centres, and six more are awaiting transfer to their new homes. One of these is five-year-old Rex, who was found “severely neglected” in a garden, rescued and rehabilitated by Bransby, and is now part of the family at Peers Clough Packhorses in Lancashire.

The centre’s owner Chris Thomas said: “Rex settled down immediately. He has proved to be an instant hit with our wide age range of clientele and has comfortably taken to our Saturday groups of children.

“The collaboration between Bransby and the BHS has proved very successful for us as an approved centre, for Rex, who is happily settled, and for our clients who think he’s so cute.”

A BHS spokesperson said there has “never been more need” for this project, owing to the numbers of neglected and abandoned horses, and the challenges faced by riding schools. Rescued equines are carefully rehabilitated and assessed to ensure they are suitable for this pathway.

BHS head of business support Sarah Dale said: “Rex’s story perfectly captures why the Second Chance project is so important. Horses and ponies like Rex deserve a future where they are safe, loved and valued – and that’s exactly what this partnership makes possible. We are incredibly proud to be working alongside Bransby Horses and the RSPCA to give these wonderful animals the second chance they truly deserve.”

Bransby rehoming manager Natasha Brocklehurst added that the charity is delighted to be working on the project – and very proud of Rex.

“We’re so thankful to Peers Clough Packhorses for giving Rex a truly wonderful home where he can continue to thrive and bring joy and confidence to young riders,” she said.

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Horse’s death a ‘heartbreaking reminder’: parliament road safety campaign is just the start, riders promised

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:24:10 +0000

A new parliament campaign to keep horses and riders safe on the road is just the start, its creator has promised, as he aims to keep the issue “firmly on the national agenda”.

Liberal Democrat Newbury MP Lee Dillon has submitted an early day motion (EDM) calling for acknowledgement of horses’ role in society, concern over the number of road incidents involving them and greater awareness of changes to The Highway Code.

It “calls on the Government to work with the equine sector, local authorities and road safety bodies to improve public awareness, enforce safe driving practices and protect horses and riders on UK roads”.

EDMs are a way MPs can highlight issues and submit them for debate. Mr Dillon’s, which has been supported by MPs from other parties as well as his own, was put forward after he was involved in the British Horse Society (BHS) and Project EDWARD (Every Day Without a Road Death) awareness ride from Lambourn to Windsor.

One inspiration for the ride was the death of young racehorse Knockalla on the roads last year.

“I’ve been proud to support this important campaign to improve road safety for horses and their riders,” Mr Dillon told H&H. “For many in our rural communities, riding isn’t just a hobby, it’s part of daily life, of our local economy and of our heritage. Every rider, on a quiet lane or a busy road, should be able to feel safe.

“Lambourn, as the Valley of the Racehorse, is at the heart of this issue. Horses are an essential part of life here, supporting jobs, tourism and the wider rural economy. Protecting them, and the people who ride them, has to be a priority. The tragic loss of Knockalla brought this into sharp focus. It was a heartbreaking reminder of what’s at stake when road safety isn’t taken seriously.”

Passion and dedication

Mr Dillon said the ride highlighted the issue’s importance, and that it is thanks to equestrians’ “passion and dedication” that it has reached parliament.

“I wanted to give them a national platform to push for change, because the more awareness we raise, the more lives we can protect,” he said. “I hope this campaign helps maintain momentum, encourages the Government to back better road safety measures, delivers more education for drivers and leads to stronger enforcement where needed.

“This is just the start – I’ll continue to push for a further debate and will keep working with campaigners, riders and organisations to keep this issue firmly on the national agenda. Ultimately, this is about making our roads safer for everyone – drivers, riders and horses.”

Windsor MP Jack Rankin, one of the motion’s supporters, told H&H equestrianism “runs through the veins” of his constituency.

“For this to continue to thrive, we must ensure horses and their riders are safe when navigating our roads,” he said. “I am therefore very pleased to back calls to promote awareness of the logical changes to The Highway Code, which aim to reduce the danger from vehicles.

“Locally, the team from Project EDWARD are doing incredible work and I was so pleased to support their ride from Lambourn to Windsor, which generated significant coverage, raising awareness far and wide. I look forward to meeting the BHS to discuss the campaign and what more we can do.”

Well supported

BHS safety director Alan Hiscox told H&H the team is very pleased the motion recognises horses’ safety and has been well supported.

“Incidents persist on our roads every day; far too many horses’ lives continue to be lost,” he said. “Many road users are still unaware of The Highway Code guidance for passing horses.

“This motion is a great step towards changing this and hopefully will lead to greater awareness of how to pass horses safely, as well as why this is so important. It’s also testament to how essential it is to come together to evidence that equestrians still aren’t safe on our roads. It was wonderful to see our community do just this in May, with the awareness ride.

“We’re very proud to have been part of it and to have Lee Dillon support the ride, joining us at Lambourn and showing such interest in equestrian safety on the roads.”

Project EDWARD founder James Luckhurst added that the campaign also welcomes the motion.

“This confirms the level and breadth of support we have in ensuring the safety of equestrians on our roads,” he told H&H.

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Epic ride from Lambourn to Windsor helps change drivers’ attitudes and save horses’ lives

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 23 May 2025 11:05:08 +0000

An “amazing” 55-mile ride from Lambourn to Windsor in memory of two horses killed on Britain’s roads will help keep others safe, it is hoped.

Three horses and riders left the racing hub town last Monday (12 May) and arrived at Royal Windsor on Friday, where they completed a circuit of the Castle Arena to applause from the crowd.

The ride, to raise awareness among drivers of the safe way to pass horses, was a collaboration between the British Horse Society (BHS) Dead Slow road safety campaign and Project EDWARD (Every Day Without a Road Death), supported by Land Rover Defender, Royal Windsor, Thames Valley Police, MPs, jockeys and many others.

“It’s been amazing,” BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H. “The response from the media and public – not just the equestrian public – has been incredible. They’ve taken to the message really well. I think it’s been an invaluable partnership with Land Rover Defender to raise awareness of the Highway Code changes.”

Mr Hiscox came up with the idea after racehorse Knockalla was killed on the roads in Lambourn last autumn. He shared the riding with Des Payne and Laurence Knight from the BHS team, and BBC presenter Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes, with her pony Wincey. The riders were accompanied throughout by a Defender emblazoned with BHS and Project EDWARD logos, “Pass horses slow and wide” and a 10mph speed limit sign. The ride was covered on BBC Breakfast and the Jeremy Vine Radio 2 show, reaching potentially millions of people.

Picture by Philip Cole (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Lizzie, who has been supporting the BHS’s road safety work for more than 10 years, told H&H the ride had been “enlightening”.

“I’ve realised that drivers just aren’t seeing us; often we’re not even on their radar,” she said.

She added that she would like manufacturers of safety equipment to consider how riders can be more noticeable.

“But this has 100% made a difference,” she said. “We’ve had people driving past saying ‘I know it’s 10mph now’ because they heard us on Jeremy Vine. It’s definitely made a difference, and that’s why we did it.”

Project EDWARD project manager Josie Jordan, who is also a rider, told H&H that as well as raising awareness of “the numbers” – the 10mph and two metres’ distance – it is important drivers empathise more and understand what riders face on the roads.

“We don’t want to be on the roads but we have to, and we try to have our horses well trained, make ourselves seen and I always try to be courteous,” she said. “As riders we have to play our part.

“A policeman once said to me, ‘It’s a small piece of tarmac and we all have to share it’. My goal with this was to reach as many motorists as possible, and show we’re human too. By doing a safe pass, everyone gets home safely.”

Kyle Gordon, the national lead for road policing operations, who came to Royal Windsor to support the ride, told H&H that on average, five people are killed on Britain’s roads every day.

“So if this is an average day, five people who woke up this morning won’t sit down for dinner tonight with their families,” he said. “And a high proportion are vulnerable road users; those who haven’t got the metal cage wrapped round them. The Highway Code changes give these people special status, but the message hasn’t landed with the general motoring public.”

Commander Gordon added that many people are clued up about their “right” to be on the roads.

“But they don’t think about their responsibilities, and that’s wrong,” he said. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to use the roads in a way that means everyone who left home this morning gets back safe tonight. Driving is a heavily regulated privilege but until we get away from thinking about rights to thinking about responsibilities, we will continue to lose five people a day.

“Every 23 minutes, someone’s killed or seriously injured on the roads, the vast majority vulnerable road users, so by the time we’ve finished this, someone else will have been injured or killed. That’s why I’m here. That’s why it’s important.”

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‘This is for all the horses’: group rides from Lambourn to Royal Windsor to raise awareness as too many horses still die on our roads

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 12 May 2025 06:04:37 +0000

A group of horses and riders is to travel from Lambourn to Royal Windsor Horse Show this week, inspired by two horses killed in traffic collisions – but for all those who have died or been injured on our roads.

The aim of the ride (12-16 May) is to raise awareness among drivers of the safe way to pass horses. It is the result of a collaboration between the British Horse Society (BHS) Dead Slow road safety campaign and Project Edward (Every Day Without a Road Death), and is supported by Defender, Royal Windsor, Thames Valley Police, MPs, jockeys and many others.

“It’s about highlighting the changes to the Highway Code on passing horses, as so many drivers still aren’t aware,” BHS safety director Alan Hiscox told H&H. “And raising awareness of the challenges horses face on the roads.”

Mr Hiscox came up with the idea after promising young racehorse Knockalla was fatally injured on the road in Lambourn last year. He went to visit the filly’s trainer Tom Ward, and thought “There’s something more we can do to get the message out there”.

He approached Project Edward, whose team was was very keen to support the idea, as was Royal Windsor organisers HPower, the team from which invited the group to finish the ride in the Castle Arena on the Friday of the show.

Mr Hisox and Des Payne from the BHS safety team will leave Lambourn today (12 May) with BBC presenter Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes on her pony. BBC Breakfast will be there to film their departure, which Mr Hiscox said would be a huge help in getting the message out.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

They will cover the 55 miles in five days, on bridleways for part of the route, to highlight how few safe off-road riding routes exist, and on the roads.

“The Defender will be with us all the way too, with BHS and Project Edward logos, ‘Pass horses slow and wide’ and a big 10mph speed limit sign on it,” Mr Hiscox said. “On the Wednesday we’re having a community event in the Yattendon village square, with Thames Valley Police and the Riding for the Disabled Association, and children from the local school.”

Jockeys including Hollie Doyle, Tom Marquand and Tom Scudamore are also supporting the ride, as is Amy Hilton, whose promising young event horse Archie was killed on the road this year.

“Amy will be talking about the significant effect of losing her horse, it’s very emotive,” Mr Hiscox said. “Amy has been incredible. Archie and Knockalla were the catalysts for this ride – but it’s for every horse that’s been injured or involved in an incident on the roads.”

The most recent BHS stats show that 58 horses were killed on Britain’s roads last year, and through the Dead Slow campaign, Mr Hiscox has found that at best, only 5% of drivers know of the Highway Code changes relating to horses.

“This ride aims to change all that,” he said.

Project Edward founder James Luckhurst pointed out that it only takes a few seconds to pass a horse safely.

“But it makes a huge difference,” he said. “These animals are sensitive and one bad moment can change a life for ever; let’s all be kind, patient and share the roads safely.”

Defender UK brand director Amy Gibson said Defender has always had strong links with the equestrian community.

“So there was no doubt that we would proudly show solidarity with this ride,” she said.

“Road safety is of paramount importance to us here at Defender and we recognise the need to protect vulnerable road users, including those on horseback. We’re also delighted to be able to transport all the equipment and individuals organising the ride, helping ensure it can go ahead and make as big an impression as possible.”

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Horse sellers beware? How consumer law could mean dealers get the raw end of the deal

Becky Murray — Sat, 03 May 2025 18:33:51 +0000

Questions have been raised over the laws that apply in buying and selling horses – and whether sellers get the raw end of the deal.

An equine lawyer has told H&H about frustrations from horse traders who believe buyers are using the Consumer Rights Act as a means to return a horse and absolve responsibility for, rather than working through, any issues that may have occurred while a horse is settling into its new home.

Horses are considered “goods” under UK consumer law, and the act states that, as with other goods, a horse sold by a trader to an individual must be fit for its intended purposes, of satisfactory quality and as described. If a horse is not fit for purpose, the buyer has a right to reject it and receive a refund within 30 days.

Hannah Bradley, of Aria Grace Equine Law, told H&H that the law is broadly drafted to suit inanimate objects and although there needs to be protection for buyers who are often investing material sums of money, the reality is that the Consumer Rights Act can “create an uphill burden for professional sellers of horses”.

“The act provides buyers with 30 days to reject goods that are not satisfactory – and having that 30-day limit can create an incentive not to work through any issues and to allow the horse an adjusting period” she said.

“After you go past the 30-day period you are entitled to a repair or replacement. But clearly the terms ‘repair or replacement’ are unsuitable to the sale of horses, in that a trader is unlikely to have a like-for-like replacement. If the repair or replacement is not possible, there exists a final right to receive a refund”.

Ms Bradley said professional sellers should be aware of consumer law, and although this cannot be changed, she recommends they keep evidence to support themselves should issues arise after the sale.

She also recommends having transparent conversations about buyers’ capabilities and experience.

“In these situations the buyer is starting with an advantage in terms of how the law is drafted, but it can be useful for the seller to have evidence should an issue arise,” she said.

“Disclose any quirks or veterinary history in writing and keep a diary of what’s going on with the horses while they are with you. When they are leaving your care, take videos and photos of the horse; around the body, in-hand trotting up, and any lumps or bumps. Things can happen in transit and during the settling-in period, so it’s helpful to have an evidence trail.”

Horse trader Shelley Barrington of Trina’s Cobs told H&H she believes the 30-day timeframe under the Consumer Rights Act sets an unrealistic window for a horse to adapt to its new surroundings.

“If someone is having issues they always get in touch within 30 days. It’s because they are under a timeframe, and more often than not it’s a case of the horse hasn’t settled. If it’s not a settling issue, it’s usually a management problem,” she said.

“In these cases we would give as much advice as possible, recommend that they get a professional on board to help if they are struggling, and eight times out of 10, it works out.”

Ms Barrington added that horses can be labelled as “bad or dangerous”, when all they needed was time.

“People can be so desperate to get a refund that they blame the horse, rather than being honest. If a horse is returned as ‘dangerous’ it develops a bad reputation, when it’s not the case,” she said, adding that buyers need to be honest about their abilities.

“Riding lessons are expensive, so more novice or nervous riders instead are buying cheaper horses. They maybe don’t have the confidence or experience, so if the horse is a little unsettled they’re scared to do anything and just put it in the field, and it just gets worse.”

British Horse Society director of horse care and welfare Gemma Stanford told H&H buying a horse should never be rushed and it is a process that needs “thorough research and consideration of both the horse’s needs and the buyer’s circumstances”.

“It is important to ask detailed questions and take time to ensure the horse is the right fit,” she said, adding that buyers should take a coach to the viewing, and have a pre-purchase examination carried out.

“The use of a clear sale contract is vital to avoid disputes, and the principle of ‘buyer beware’ remains highly relevant. If disputes arise post-purchase, we recommend seeking professional legal advice.”

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Cost of riding school licences varies by thousands of pounds, new report finds, among other inconsistencies

Becky Murray — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 11:33:28 +0000

The cost of a riding school licence can vary by more than £2,500 between local authorities – as a new report highlights inconsistencies.

At the end of December Defra published its findings from a post-implementation review of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, which H&H reported had taken place two years ago (news, 2 February 2023).

The review considered evidence on the effectiveness of the regulations. Under the hiring out horses section, it was reported that stakeholders agree the regulations have “successfully improved animal welfare” and there is “broad support for the robust safety provisions in the guidance”.

The report stated “in terms of improvements”, there was limited knowledge among local authority inspectors of the needs of donkeys, and a “need for clarity” on whether carriage driving is a licensable activity, and calls for safeguarding provisions to be added to the regulations as a large proportion of riding schools’ customer bases are children.

Licensing fees and processes were discussed and it was stated that the licensing system – which includes pet boarding, pet sales and dog breeding – is “intended to be broadly self-financing, with local authorities charging applicants and operators fees to recover the costs of administration”.

Local authorities that responded to the review, which were not named, believed that the costs to them of implementing the regulations had increased – in part by the need to outsource to vets or appropriately qualified inspectors from other local authorities “to address the shortfall (or absence) of qualified inspectors”.

“These impacts on local authorities may have been passed on to scheme applicants,” read the report.

The report said the regulations “allow local authorities to charge fees they consider necessary” for applications and inspections. But the regulations require that “these fees do not exceed the reasonable relevant costs anticipated by a local authority”.

The report said data confirms a variation in licensing costs; an example given for hiring out horses, was a three-year licence costing £51 from one local authority, £2,775 from another.

It was also noted that local authorities have “different individual processes and approaches”.

“Some may choose to employ their own full-time licensing inspectors, others may appoint veterinarians or subcontract the work to neighbouring local authorities. Local authorities may have a higher or lower number of licence-holders within their boundaries and this, together with other local differences, suggests that some variance is to be expected,” the report stated.

“Businesses also reported facing increased costs associated with meeting the licensing conditions. These reports have centred around the costs of complying with the administrative and record-keeping requirements, and the costs associated with training staff.”

British Horse Society (BHS) chief operating officer Sarah Phillips told H&H the society agrees that the updated licensing system has “helped to provide clarity across the industry”.

“Notably, the inclusion of all relevant equestrian activities and businesses under this licensing framework has made a positive difference in delivering improved welfare practices,” she said.

“For greater success, it is important this licensing model is implemented consistently and we would like to see more uniformity across the country.

“However, we do also recognise that fees will vary, as they are determined by the size of the property and/or business. The processes have to take many factors into consideration, including demand in the area of the local authority and the resources they have available. Naturally, this is going to lead to differing approaches.”

Ms Phillips added that in collaboration with other equine organisations, the BHS continues to work with local authorities and the Government to “evaluate any discrepancies and to nurture the best processes possible”.

“These conversations are essential to guarantee the stability for equestrian businesses and critically, equine welfare,” she said.

Kim Ayling, World Horse Welfare head of public affairs, said the charity has “concerns regarding a lack of consistency in the licensing of riding establishments, particularly when it comes to assessing welfare and the cost of a licence, as identified in the review”.

“This not only has a negative impact on the welfare of the equines but can also be detrimental to the viability of these businesses,” she said.

“While the review outlines that training has improved, it has also highlighted the lack of appropriately qualified inspectors. This is a significant barrier to the effective and consistent implementation of the licensing of activities.”

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Work on equine euthanasia to help owners facing the hardest decision

Becky Murray — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 18:33:31 +0000

More work has been carried out on equine euthanasia to help owners through difficult decision-making.

In a study published in scientific journal Animals and funded by the Horse Trust researchers explored veterinary and equine charities teams’ experiences around helping horse owners with end-of-life decision-making. The aim was to understand what approaches people in different roles take, the barriers around euthanasia discussions and decisions and the emotional impact on those providing advice.

The work is part of a larger project by the University of Nottingham looking at how owners and vet teams can be supported through euthanasia decisions, and a follow-up to researcher Amelia Cameron’s review of end-of-life decision-making models in dogs, cats and equids (news, 23 June 2022).

The participants of the latest study shared their experiences, and Dr Cameron told H&H different approaches to euthanasia decision-making were preferred based on each situation.

“Vets talked about valuing continuity of care and a collaborative approach with owners, but this was in cases of chronic decline when they had built up a relationship over time, and in those situations a shared decision could be made with the owner,” she said.

“In emergency situations, there is less opportunity for that and it is more likely the vet has to take the lead and might be dealing with a distressed owner.”

Dr Cameron added that financial limitations were brought up by participants.

“Colic surgery was a common example, where the cost of surgery might not be fully covered by insurance, and when the owner doesn’t have the money to cover it, it leads to euthanasia decisions instead of treatment and with that people can experience emotional burden,” she said.

The paper concluded that having discussions with owners about their preferred role in decision-making would be valuable when approaching difficult decisions.

“Sometimes owners prefer to be led by the vet and have options explained to them, and in other cases owners might want to be more independent in this decision-making and it’s recognising that the owner has important knowledge of their horses and knows them well,” said Dr Cameron.

“Obviously it’s not very nice to talk about these things, but it can be useful to know what the options are, how much these things cost, because a lot of people might not be aware or think about this if they have not been involved in euthanasia decisions before.”

As part of the next stage of the project, euthanasia guidance resources are currently being trialled in some vet practices, following which a paper will be published on this.

Read the full study here.

A spokesperson for the British Horse Society (BHS) told H&H that knowing when to put your horse down is an “extremely difficult and emotional decision”.

“We support any study that helps horse owners during this challenging time and that advocates for preparing resources that can assist with the decision-making,” he said.

“We’re pleased to already offer such resources via our emergency care plan, which enables horse owners to pre-plan for end-of-life care. We recognise that time can be of the essence and having a clear plan will help owners make informed decisions and provide an authorised person with their wishes.”

The spokesperson added that through the BHS Friends at the End euthanasia support scheme more than 75 volunteers have received specialist training from vets and bereavement counsellors to offer assistance to owners before, during or after euthanasia.

“While they aren’t there to take the place of a vet, they do offer an extra pair of hands and ears, which goes a long way during what is an incredibly challenging time,” he said.

Owners can email friendsattheend@bhs.org.uk for more information, or visit bhs.org.uk/fate.

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A ‘great step’ as almost 50 paid-for woodland riding permits axed

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 10:05:42 +0000

Riders will be able to access 49 more woodlands across England without permits from May, in a “great step for equestrians”.

Forestry England has announced it will “significantly reduce” the number of woodlands needing permits for horse riding, after a public review.

H&H reported in 2023 that Forestry England wanted riders’ views; in 2022, we reported that the agency and the British Horse Society (BHS) were in discussions about the permits, which the BHS opposed for publicly owned land to which others users had free access.

Forestry England has now completed its review of 51 woodlands for which permits were in place, 48 of which were paid for.

Chief executive Mike Seddon said: “We are delighted to announce this huge reduction in woodlands that need permits for equestrian access. This will make horse riding accessible to more riders across the nation’s forests.

“Our decision reflects our commitment for the nation’s forests in our care to be as welcoming and available to visitors as possible, including our equestrian community.”

Permits will still be required for two of the woodlands; Bramshill, Hampshire/Berkshire, and Hodgemoor Wood, Buckinghamshire. Mr Seddon said this is because these are ecologically sensitive wildlife sites that need extra management.

“Thank you to everyone that took part in our review and for your patience while we worked through each and every permit,” he said.

BHS director of access Mark Weston said the BHS was “delighted to hear of the decision to significantly reduce the requirement for equestrians to buy permits to access Forestry England forests”.

“The British Horse Society believes that all riders and carriage drivers should be able to enjoy safe off-road networks in the vicinity of where they keep their horses,” he said. “This is a great step towards allowing equestrians the freedom to explore and enjoy our nation’s countryside in a safe and accessible manner.”

Will this news enable you to enjoy more off-road riding? Let us know by emailing hhletters@futurenet.com including your name, nearest town and county, then your thoughts might be published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine.

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‘A true gentleman’ of a horse who taught riders, modelled and met royals honoured with posthumous award

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 19:51:27 +0000

A horse who was “everyone’s favourite” and never put a foot wrong has been given a prestigious posthumous award – which was collected by his brother on his behalf.

Monarch, of Tower Farm Riding Stables in Scotland, died last year aged 27, and the British Horse Society (BHS) named him the worthy recipient of its Tarragon Trophy.

This goes to the equine personality of the year, and is presented to a horse or pony who has contributed to the community, overcome hardship or deemed to have a personality worthy of the honour.

BHS national manager for Scotland Helene Mauchlen presented the award last week, to Monarch’s full brother Duke on his behalf.

“The BHS is delighted to have honoured Monarch with our Tarragon Trophy,” Ms Mauchlen said.

“Monarch helped inspire The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, bringing calm and patience while teaching them to ride. Alongside this, he helped to bring back ceremonial horses to Scotland. Yet, he never lost sight of his day job as a riding school horse, inspiring many children to take their first steps in equestrianism.

“It is more than fitting that Monarch was the recipient for this award and we are so pleased to be able to commemorate such a remarkable horse, as well as celebrate his achievements.”

Monarch moved to Tower Farm aged four and was “level-headed from the word go”, a spokesperson for the centre said.

“He loved his work, particularly jumping and was regularly the lead horse for staff riders taking groups out. He relished carrying both children and adults and had a natural instinct for looking after his precious cargo, including his youngest riders at eight years old, right up to his oldest rider; a 96-year-old lady who was resident in a local care home, who had been a rider all her life and wanted to have one last ride. Monarch carried her with careful confidence, and made this special wish come true.

“He absolutely loved being around children and was a regular entry into fancy dress classes at Tower Farm shows, quite content to be adorned with all sorts of creative outfits, having his tail plaited, glitter painted on his hooves and having kids clamber all over him, like a beloved wise old grandfather.”

Monarch also had his cheeky moments, the spokesperson said.

“He was an exceptionally clever horse and would often open up his stable at night and roam about the barn before putting himself back in his stable in the morning, in time for breakfast,” she said. “He knew his name and would answer back with his distinct whinny when called in his field and would often lead the way by himself, into his stable. When the farrier visited, all he had to do was call Monarch’s name and Monarch would whinny back, letting the farrier know where he was. He enjoyed the comforts of being tucked up with his jammies on in his stable during bad weather and couldn’t get enough of long summer days in his field overlooking Edinburgh.”

But as well as his day job, Monarch had a double life, taking part in parades, modelling for advertisements and taking part in royal visits, including meeting The late Queen on a visit to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the Princess Royal at the opening of the new BHS operations hub in Stirling. In 2023, he led the procession at The King’s coronation in Scotland on the Royal Mile.

“Monarch was unfazed by large crowds and pipe bands and he took his public performances in his stride, which included appearing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo as guard of honour,” the spokesperson said. “He was a familiar face as the flag-bearing horse for the annual Edinburgh riding of the marches, he carried knights in full armour for historical reenactments, took part in Edinburgh Diwali, visited primary schools all over Edinburgh and the Lothians and even helped with a charity bag-packing event! He knew, from the moment he was given a bath and had been clipped, that duty called.

“Monarch always knew exactly what to do and always sensed the occasion. The moment he heard the bagpipes start up, he would stand to attention, ears pricked and wouldn’t move a muscle. He was the horse that the other horses would look to for reassurance; if Monarch was OK with it, the rest of the horses knew it was safe.”

Monarch’s “one true love” was Tower Farm manager Debbie Henderson.

“He understood you, was a true gentleman and was the horse of a lifetime,” she said, adding that the whole team was delighted he was awarded the Tarragon Trophy.

“Everyone who met Monarch knew he was a very special horse; he was always such a positive character and a gentle soul and gave so much confidence to riders of all ages,” she said. “At home he was everyone’s favourite and in public he would never put a foot wrong. His loss was so sudden and to have his brother Duke accept the award on his behalf was a very emotional moment.”

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‘If they save one life it’s worth it’: persistence pays off for horse and rider road safety

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:34:19 +0000

Riders and the British Horse Society (BHS) have proven the power of persistence, working together and reporting road incidents, as warning signs have been installed in Cambridgeshire villages.

The posters, supplied by the BHS, have been put up in Little Thetford, Huntingdon and St Ives. Titled Dead Slow, the name of the BHS road safety campaign, they set out the Highway Code guidance on passing horses at no more than 10mph and at two metres’ distance.

Charlotte Mitchell, a rider and the chair of Little Thetford Parish Council, told H&H she hopes the installation of the signs will help other riders as well as those who use the local roads. The BBC has reported on it, helping spread the word.

“It’s been massive,” she said. “I’ve had lots of other riders who I don’t know reaching out to ask advice about how to get the signs in their areas.”

Charlotte said hacking is limited in her area; she has to cross the A10 or A142 just to get to bridleways.

“I can’t explain how bad it is,” she said. “I’m in my 40s, I’ve ridden all my life and been involved in racing, and can’t believe the lack of care and general nastiness [of drivers]; it makes me ashamed to be human.”

Charlotte said she saw the signs in H&H and started to try to secure some for her area. She and other local riders approached the parish council, as parishioners, and BHS head of safety Alan Hiscox. They had to photograph suitable places, approach the local authority’s highways department and secure permission for their installation.

One thing that backed their case was the BHS incident stats for the county, which showed there had been an 116% increase in incidents including one equine fatality.

“The police are now backing us, and highways,” she said. “That meant when Alan came down, he had free rein to put the signs up where they were necessary. He and the BHS have been brilliant; so supportive, and the stats have really brought this about as we were able to show the police what was happening.

“This is why we should report, to the BHS and police. A friend of mine submitted footage of a driver to police and he got three points and a fine. Things do happen but you have to report.

“Someone said to me yesterday, even if these signs only slow 10 cars down and save one rider’s or horse’s life, it’s worth it.”

Mr Hiscox told H&H this is a “classic” example of collaboration, persistence and the importance of reporting incidents.

“Someone asked me this morning what the point is of reporting,” he said. “I said look at Cambridgeshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire and Shropshire, to name a few. If you let us know where these incidents are happening, as well as reporting to the police, we can work together to take it forward.”

Mr Hiscox added that in most cases the BHS funds the posters – sometimes local authorities do – and that they have been approved by the Welsh Assembly and Road Safety Wales.

“So if we say we’ll fund them and put them up, it’s a win-win situation,” he said. “This absolutely proves what the Horse i app and reporting website can do, and working with the equestrian community. Charlotte’s been doing a brilliant job.”

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Constabulary told H&H: “The posters carry an important message about remaining at 10mph or slower when passing horses. We want the roads to be a safe place for all road users and would urge everyone to share the roads safely and look out for one another.”

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Perspective change needed as 58 horses killed on our roads last year

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:34:06 +0000

A change in the way ridden and driven horses are officially perceived could boost safety – as the latest stats showed 58 horses were killed on Britain’s roads last year.

The British Horse Society (BHS) released its 2024 road incident figures yesterday (29 January), three years after changes to the Highway Code guidance on passing horses came into effect.

In total, 3,118 incidents were reported to the BHS, which the charity’s head of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H is “the tip of the iceberg”. These included 80 human and 97 equine injuries and the total number of reported incidents was 8% down on 2023 (see below). This takes the total number of recorded road incidents since November 2010 to 18,683, causing 47 human and 697 equine deaths, and 1,782 human and 1,625 equine injuries.

“These figures are still shocking,” Mr Hiscox said. “Although there’s been a slight decrease, 58 horses died on our roads last year and more than 3,100 incidents were reported to us. And we know only about 15% of incidents are reported to us.”

Mr Hiscox reiterated the call he has made before; to all those who experience an incident, whether a collision or a near-miss or similar, to report it to the BHS as this allows them to lobby local and national government, police and road safety partnerships for change, as well as identifying accident hot spots at which action can be taken.

“It’s absolutely vital equestrians let us know what’s happening on the roads,” he said.

In the updated Highway Code, which came into force in 2022, drivers are urged to pass horses no faster than 10mph and leaving at least two metres space. But 81% of the reported incidents involved drivers who did not adhere to this guidance.

Mr Hiscox said that too few drivers are aware of these changes, even now; as part of the BHS Dead Slow road safety awareness campaign, he visits motoring shows every year.

“At Carfest last summer, we asked more than 300 drivers if they knew about the specific changes relating to horses and only 2% knew,” he said. “At a national air show, it was 5%. So there’s a huge amount of work to do on awareness.”

Mr Hiscox would like to see the government department for transport (DfT) doing more to raise awareness of the changes – “they’ve really pushed the cyclist ones, which is fine, but I think it’s been to the detriment of equestrians,” he said. He will carry on with the multiple award-winning safety campaign; speaking at national conferences, visiting shows and working with driving instructors, councils, police and road safety partnerships.

“And we want to get the horse recognised as a subject, not an object,” he said. “Police consider the horse as property but we want to see the horse and rider or driver both as the vulnerable road users, not just the person. I don’t know if it needs a change of legislation or mindset. There’s lots more to do but we’ve hit the ground running.

“Only through working collaboratively and by evidencing that an issue of equestrian safety still remains, can we stop these awful incidents from happening, time and time again.”

A DfT spokesperson referred H&H to a comment made by future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood, in response to a road safety question asked in parliament.

Ms Greenwood said an awareness campaign about “the changes” to the Highway Code was launched in 2022, followed by “broader behaviour change campaigns in the summers of 2022 and 2023, to help embed the changes and encourage understanding and uptake of the guidance”

“Over £2.4m has been spent on media across the campaign,” she said.

“Campaign outcomes include 86% of road users having heard of the changes by September 2023, and 81% of drivers claiming to leave a gap of 1.5m when passing a cyclist all or most of the time. We will continue to promote the Highway Code changes on THINK! and DfT social media channels and via our partner organisations.”

To report an incident, visit the BHS website or the Horse i app

The numbers

2023: total incidents 3,383

People killed 3

People injured 94

Horses killed 66

Horses injured 86

2024: total incidents 3,118

People killed 0

People injured 80

Horses killed 58

Horses injured 97

Since November 2010, 18,683 incidents have been reported; 47 people have died and 1,782 have been injured, and 697 horses killed and 1,625 injured

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Welcoming everyone to horses benefits people – and the industry

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 16:53:27 +0000

A scheme aimed at allowing more people to access horses and riding should also help riding schools – and the sector – become more commercially viable.

The British Horse Society (BHS) initiative Everyone Welcome is designed to do what it says on the tin; create an equestrian sector of which anyone can be part. BHS chief executive James Hick told H&H it brings together core aims of helping people and horses, increasing participation and supporting riding schools.

“Everyone welcome means just that,” the policy document states. “Whatever an individual’s ability, background, culture or identity, they are welcome to be part of our equestrian community. We will be all the better for being more diverse, equitable and inclusive – as a society and as a sector.”

Mr Hick said the scheme brings together different BHS initiatives. The Changing Lives Through Horses (CLTH) programme now involves more than 1,500 people at more than 129 riding schools. As well as helping those disengaged young people, this is estimated to put £2.5m back into riding schools annually.

The Career Transition Fund has helped people through BHS coaching exams to the tune of about £300,000 so far, also helping support the workforce, and the Coaching4All scheme helps those with some equine teaching qualifications to gain the extra skills to work with people who have additional needs. Key to working with riding schools is also not just providing funding but supporting them to apply for and secure other grants and revenue streams.

“When you pull those different aspects together, we now have our Everyone Welcome strategy, which at the heart has two aspects,” Mr Hick said. “One is how we support riding schools to be centres where people truly do feel welcome. Everybody can feel welcome.

“We can introduce groups of people who may never have thought riding or interacting with horses was for them, and we all know that if somebody has interacted with a horse of any type, they’re much more likely to advocate for us. So we need to bring people who are not normally advocates of horses into our world.

“Also at the heart of all of this is the philosophy of doing good, but also making it commercially viable, because all these initiatives have to bring commercial value to the riding schools to make them sustainable.”

Mr Hick said a pilot is running at 15 riding schools across the country, including Bolton-based Krimmz Girls Youth Club, an award-winning volunteer-run community sport group. Girls from the club enjoyed sessions at Wigan equestrian centre Thompson House last summer, and start again this month.

“We put a post up saying the riding will be starting again soon and had more than 100 applications from parents,” Krimmz director and lead volunteer Khadija Patel told H&H. “The original cohort want to progress and get better. They all say they value the importance of looking after the horses; it’s not just the riding, it’s everything that comes with it.”

Ms Patel said it was not just the cost that was a barrier for many people from very deprived areas; there were potential cultural and religious issues that have been remedied, such as ensuring the young Muslim girls had a female coach.

“They really value the whole experience,” she said. “They just don’t get these opportunities.”

Caroline Tomlinson runs pro-inclusion charity My Life Legacy from Thompson House; she had worked in the voluntary sector and taught riding, and was “delighted to bring my two careers together”.

Her aim is to allow as many people as possible to access equestrianism – she also offers the CLTH programme – so she was delighted to work with the BHS on the scheme.

“Riding can be seen as elitist, for people with lots of money, so we started to think about how we could do things differently, to welcome people who might have thought, ‘That’s not for me,’” she told H&H.

“The Krimmz group got a lot from it; this just opens the door and makes it accessible. It’s the welcoming approach I’d like to say we’ve always had. The horse world can be scary to get involved in but our heart is to promote inclusion for everybody. This is accessible for all; we look at how to bring in funding to make it fully accessible.”

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Money-saving measures launched to help horse owners

Becky Murray — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 14:01:09 +0000

Money-saving measures and rewards platforms have been launched to help equestrians in tough times – as owners are reminded that “prevention is better than cure”.

As the cost of living continues to be a concern for many, a number of equestrian businesses and organisations have launched initiatives to ease financial pressures.

For some time, many vet practices have offered pay-monthly equine health plans, often including annual vaccinations and dental checks, worm egg counts and discounts on routine visits or procedures.

Oxfordshire-based independent practice Hook Norton Veterinary Group (HNVG) has taken this a step further with its “groundbreaking” £30-monthly Equiplan Gold scheme. It offers free pre-booked routine examinations, annual hoof balance X-rays, a 50% discount on lameness examinations and a 10% discount on Agria insurance among its benefits – as well as vaccinations, dental treatment and a worming programme.

HNVG director Sam Cutts told H&H the scheme was launched to help owners seek preventative health care for their horses.

“We’re aware that people’s disposable income is being tightened at the moment. We launched the scheme because we’ve got clients who really want to look after their horses as best as they can, but were starting to worry about the cost of calling the vet and therefore were potentially sitting on things – and then inevitably these can become bigger problems,” she said.

“It’s about prevention rather than cure, and trying to say to people, ‘We want to work with you to keep your horses as healthy as possible’ rather than having a situation where people turn to ‘Dr Google’ or bury their heads in the sand because they’re worried about the cost.”

Ms Cutts added that the practice “heavily promotes” hoof balance X-rays and it “made sense to make these affordable”.

“We know that an enormous number of lamenesses come from potentially poor foot balance. If people can do these X-rays once a year, rather than thinking, ‘It’s several hundreds of pounds and I can’t afford it,’ then we can work with farriers with this extra information provided by X-rays,” she said.

British Horse Society (BHS) chief operating officer Sarah Phillips told H&H rising costs can create “added pressures” for owners.

“There are many effective steps owners and carers can take to minimise spending. It is essential, however, to prioritise your horse’s health and welfare, even during tough times,” she said.

“Avoid false economies, such as skipping vaccinations, dental check-ups or hoof maintenance, as these can lead to serious health issues and higher costs in the long run. It is of vital importance that your horses’ care and welfare is at the forefront of your decision-making. The BHS horse care and welfare helpline is here to provide advice and support about all aspects of a horse’s wellbeing”.

Insurance provider SEIB has launched a rewards programme for its classic horse insurance policyholders, designed to “give back”. SEIB Rewards offers discounts, giveaways and special offers from equestrian brands, including Dengie, Equine Faecal Egg Count Solutions and PolyJumps.

“We’re committed to expanding the programme to offer our classic horse insurance policyholders increasing value. We’re excited about the partnerships already established and those on the horizon,” said SEIB’s digital marketing manager Katie Oswald.

Last month British Eventing (BE) announced changes to its membership offering, including more subsidised training, allowing payment for membership and training in three interest-free instalments, and a new rewards platform giving high-street discounts and offers with BE’s equestrian partners (news, 19 December 2024).

“We know times are hard and understand how difficult balancing the books can be. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that we can offer the best value offering possible to our members, while ensuring we can cover our costs and continue to reinvest back into the sport we all love,” said BE chief executive Rosie Williams.

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How inheritance tax changes could hit the equestrian industry as well as farmers

Becky Murray — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 20:33:12 +0000

Changes announced in the budget could affect stud, riding school and livery yard owners – as people are reminded to take appropriate financial advice.

In the Government’s autumn budget on 30 October chancellor Rachel Reeves announced reforms to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR).

Currently, people can claim for agricultural property relief on qualifying agricultural land and property, and business property relief on qualifying interest or shares in a business without a limit or cap.

But from 6 April 2026, the full 100% relief from inheritance tax (IHT) will be restricted to the first £1m of combined agricultural and business property. Above this amount, individuals will only be eligible for 50% relief from IHT.

Concerns from farmers have been reported nationally, and protests have taken place in London. But it has been highlighted that equine stud owners who claim agricultural property relief could also be affected.

“Upon a farmer or stud owner’s death, their beneficiaries could apply for agricultural property relief – and potentially also business property relief – and there was no limit to how big that claim might be,” Nicola Glass, an independent financial adviser at Integrity365, told H&H.

“But now the Government has put a limit on this, and when it comes to studs, when you add up the land, buildings, farmhouses and anything else that could qualify, it could easily be more than £1m in value. This means that the beneficiary will have to pay 20% IHT on anything over this.”

Generally, livery yards and riding schools trading as businesses do not qualify for agricultural property relief but some may qualify for business property relief – so such businesses could also be affected by the changes. It is important that owners take professional advice from their solicitor and tax advisor to confirm their situation.

“Should business property relief be applicable to an estate or individual, as with the agricultural property relief, this will be capped at 50% for anything over £1m,” said Ms Glass.

“There’s lots of change from the budget that people haven’t quite picked up on yet. There’s been lots of discussions about farmers, which is important, but it affects a lot of other people as well.”

Ms Glass added that the message is “not to panic”.

“There are things that can be done, and the first step would be to value all your assets and speak to an adviser about what your potential tax liability could be,” she said.

“From there you can look at IHT planning, and options can include taking out insurance against the liability or considering gifting within your lifetime.”

A British Horse Society spokesperson told H&H it encourages anyone who owns a riding centre or livery yard to think about whether they could be affected by the changes to business property relief.

“Of course, the impact will vary largely depending on your individual situation or circumstances, so we would strongly urge you to seek clear legal advice and guidance,” she said.

Example: Anne Stables runs and is the sole owner of a profit-making stud farm.

Anne has full use of her IHT bands on her death, totalling £500,000. Her will gives everything to her three children equally, and her home is not deemed a “working farmhouse”, so does not qualify for relief.

Her home is worth £400,000 and she has £100,000 savings. Her APR/BPR qualifying land and assets are worth £1.3m

Previously, the stud farm would pass tax-free; only her home and savings would potentially be subject to IHT. As these are under £500,000, no IHT is due.

When the changes come into force, only £1m of the stud farm value would fall into the 0% tax charge; the additional £300,000 only qualifies for 50% relief. This would be taxed at 20%, totalling £60,000. Anne should seek professional advice to look at IHT tax mitigating solutions.

*Example only. Financial advice must be sought for each individual case.*

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‘A huge step’ for horse and rider safety as Government removes recording deadline

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 07:21:23 +0000

The Government’s decision to abolish the deadline to save off-road routes in England has been welcomed as a “huge step” in horse and rider safety.

Defra announced today (26 December) that the 2031 deadline by which historic rights of way were to have been recorded has been repealed, so these “will not be lost to the public”.

H&H has reported on the cut-off date, which was initially in 2026. The previous Government abolished it, then pushed it back by five years, which the British Horse Society (BHS) said would put “horse riders at increasing risk on England’s roads”.

But it has now been removed for good.

“England has thousands of miles of unrecorded rights of way which are well used by walkers, cyclists and equestrians, but aren’t officially recorded or protected,” a Defra spokesperson said.

“These paths are some of the oldest inscriptions on our landscapes – a tangible record of people’s movements over the centuries, with many paths and roads we use today dating back hundreds or thousands of years. For many walkers, the knowledge that you’re on an ancient path trodden by generations of our ancestors is one of walking’s great pleasures.

“However, local authorities have struggled under the burden of recording historic rights of way, which are estimated to stretch over 40,000 miles, by the 2031 cut-off date introduced by the last Government. The Government’s move to reverse that decision means these paths will no longer be lost to the public.”

The BHS has been working for years with supporters and volunteers to record off-road routes, and lobbying the Government.

“The BHS is hugely relieved to learn that the UK Government has today announced its decision to repeal the 2031 cut-off date,” a spokesperson for the charity said.

“This means thousands of rights of way across the UK will no longer vanish in seven years’ time, helping more people in future to access the great outdoors and all the benefits this brings.

“For equestrians in particular, an improved off-road network of bridleways and byways is hugely important. Since 2010, over 630 horses have been killed on UK roads and 1,500 injured. More than 1,680 equestrians have been injured too. These routes will play an essential role in helping to eliminate further fatalities, as they enable horse riders and carriage drivers to avoid, or at least minimise, the time spent on fast-flowing roads.”

BHS director of access Mark Weston added that these stats have shown how important off-road riding routes are.

“The Government’s intention to repeal the 2031 cut-off date is a huge step,” he said. “Not only does it mean that our routes can be protected for future generations to enjoy and treasure, but it is also very important for the safety of the general public.”

Since the cut-off date was introduced by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the BHS had been “committed to lobbying the government to abolish this deadline”.

“Through our Project 2026 campaign (the originally proposed cut off-date), we have made great steps to save over 3,700 bridleways and byways from being wiped off the definitive map,” Mr Weston said. “Our trained volunteers have worked tirelessly across England to research and submit these applications to local authorities.

“Although we may no longer be working towards a looming deadline, we will continue to collaborate with our brilliant network of 400 access volunteers to record routes. We are committed to making sure our off-road network is protected from obstruction, development and neglect. Researching and recording our routes is the very best way to do this.”

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‘Just by having him, I’d won’: horse who ‘touched countless lives’ wins national award aged 26

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 19:51:21 +0000

A horse who touched “countless lives with his unwavering dedication and boundless spirit” has been given a national award as he enjoys his retirement.

Patrick, owned by Hayleigh Blissett, was named British Horse Society (BHS) equine personality of the year at the annual BHS awards last month. The 26-year-old has been a much-loved part of the team at the Nantwich and District Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) group based at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre.

Hayleigh told H&H she took Patrick with her when she went to Reaseheath College, and he stayed on to benefit children and adults with disabilities.

“When I first watched him in an RDA session, I couldn’t stop crying,” she said. “I had no doubt he’d be great at it but it hadn’t crossed my mind. He was amazing.”

Kayliegh has owned Patrick since she was 10, 11 years ago.

“I used to go out for hours with a packed lunch,” she said. “When I first got him, I was quite little and he was big and strong and hadn’t really been handled by kids so he used to take me for a ride! But by the time I was 11 or 12, we’d be hacking up the main road, massive lorries coming past, and he always kept me so safe.”

Hayleigh said Patrick is a laid-back character who looks after everyone.

“He’s so chilled,” she said. “He loves attention and would happily stand to be stroked all day, and he’s really thoughtful. When I’m on him, he can be quite cheeky but for the RDA, he’s perfect, doesn’t put a foot wrong.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Hayleigh left college after a year but started work near the college so she could still see Patrick, and she brought him home a few months ago.

“He’s not fully retired; the group wanted me still to have time with him, which is really sweet,” she said. “He hadn’t been home for four or five years and the first hack we went on, he was like a four-year-old; it was so good to see him so full of life and excited.”

Liz Cleghorn, a volunteer with Nantwich and District RDA, wrote Patrick’s citation for the award.

“It is with a mix of deep gratitude and bittersweet emotion that we nominate Patrick, our extraordinary RDA horse, for the equine personality of the year award,” it read. “As Patrick embarks on a well-deserved retirement, we reflect on his remarkable journey and the countless lives he has touched with his unwavering dedication and boundless spirit.

“Patrick has been the heart and soul of our RDA team providing transformative therapeutic riding sessions to children and adults with disabilities. Witnessing the sheer joy and sense of achievement on a rider’s face as they bond with Patrick is nothing short of magical. His patience and gentle nature have empowered individuals to surpass their physical limitations and discover newfound confidence and independence.

“His legacy is a shining example of the transformative power of equine therapy and the deep, unbreakable bond between humans and horses. Thank you, Patrick, for your years of service, love, and unwavering dedication. Enjoy your retirement—you have more than earned it.”

Ms Cleghorn told H&H that everyone loved Patrick.

“If you could have a perfect horse, he was it,” she said. “He deserves the award; he stands out. He had the temperament and ability to adapt to all riders, environments and situations. Everyone who met him or had the chance to ride him will say he’s an amazing horse.”

The RDA group has secured a grant for a new horse, but has to match-fund it; donations are open online.

Donate online

Hayleigh added that she did not know about Patrick’s nomination the day before he won.

“I cried again!” she said. “I’d never competed with him or anything; just by having him, I’d already won. But to see him appreciated by so many people was really heartwarming, amazing. He’s one in a million, for sure.”

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‘It means the world’: riding centre that changes lives honoured with prestigious award

Lucy Elder — Sat, 30 Nov 2024 19:26:46 +0000

A riding centre that is changing the lives of young people every day has been recognised for its remarkable work with a prestigious national award.

Wirral Riding Centre was presented with the British Horse Society Changing Lives through Horses Centre Award by Martin Clunes at Newbury racecourse (7 November), in a ceremony attended by the Princess Royal.

The award acknowledges centres that make a profound impact on young people’s lives through equestrian activities, fostering confidence, resilience, and skills for life. The centre was recognised for being a “real community hub” where Stacey McDowell and her team’s “inclusive approach shines through”.

The Wirral Riding Centre team, pictured with Martin Clunes. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Wirral Riding Centre’s arm of the programme has changed the lives of 38 young people. It currently supports 33 youngsters, who attend the centre four days a week, and is designed to engage those who face challenges in traditional education or social settings.

“Winning the award was an honour and it means the absolute world to us,” Mrs McDowell, senior manager of the Changing Lives through Horses Team at Wirral Riding Centre, told H&H.

“Being chosen from among 130 centres makes this recognition even more special, as it highlights not only the unwavering commitment and dedication of our team but also the remarkable resilience, determination, and spirit of our participants.

“This achievement is a testament to the collective effort, passion, and hard work that everyone has poured into creating a supportive and thriving environment, and we are deeply grateful for this acknowledgment of our shared journey and impact.”

Each day starts with mucking out as a team, before working together on a life skills activity, grooming and tacking up, riding and working towards specific goals, and broadening their equine knowledge.

Mrs McDowell said that the centre values the strong relationships that it has built with each of their young people, their parents/carers, their educational settings and the local authorities.

“The purpose of our programme is to give our young people the confidence and self-belief to reintegrate back into education and or employment,” she added.

“Our programme has seen significant improvement in the attendance and behaviour of young people and their ability to self-regulate. We work hard with each young person to map out their Post-16 route and have secured successful routes like college courses, apprenticeships and supported internships.”

The riding centre has been running for more than 40 years and also works closely with Riding for the Disabled, Special Olympics and the Pony Club.

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A body-builder, stolen ice cream and horses star in ‘ground-breaking’ road safety film

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 17:12:03 +0000

A body-builder swiping a child’s ice cream has been used in a “ground-breaking” new video aimed at helping keep vulnerable road users safe – including horses and riders.

The British Horse Society (BHS) worked with road safety organisation Co-Pilot on the short film that aims to clarify the hierarchy of road users, a concept included in the 2022 Highway Code changes.

H&H has reported on confusion about the idea, and Co-Pilot founder and CEO James Evans said he believes more clarification was needed.

“The Think! campaign did a pretty good job of publicising it, and the Department for Transport a reasonably good job but a lot of people feel it hasn’t gone far enough,” Mr Evans told H&H. “If you’re going to fundamentally change the Highway Code and not tell everyone, that’s a bit of a problem.”

Mr Evans said that Co-Pilot, a membership organisation that promotes collaborative working on road safety, conducted market testing on awareness of the hierarchy. This found that young drivers are more likely to know about it from recent instruction but may not apply the practice, of giving way to pedestrians for example, as they fear other road users may not understand what they are doing, causing an accident.

“Unless you’ve got almost 100% awareness, you’ll have some people thinking one thing will happen and the rest thinking something different,” Mr Evans said.

Bill Thisdell came up with the idea of the film, which shows a child’s ice cream being taken by progressively stronger people, then explains how the hierarchy is designed to protect vulnerable road users. Narrated by BHS president Martin Clunes, it shows the ice cream van passing cyclists, riders and pedestrians safely, explaining the guidance for each case.

“Horses now sit alongside pedestrians and cyclists as vulnerable road users,” a BHS spokesperson told H&H. “This rule highlights that, irrespective of method of transport, those who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.

“This focused film will play a critical role in making more people aware of the guidance in place and to emphasise the importance of passing horses safely on our roads. Initiatives such as this also highlight the value in working collaboratively to educate drivers and ultimately, to help keep us all as safe as possible while out on the roads.

“The BHS is honoured to have been part of this partnership project and will continue to work with key organisations, like Co-Pilot, to drive even greater change.”

Mr Evans said the film will be shown on social media, and there has been discussion of showing it on television and in cinemas too.

“It’s really important to keep banging the drum,” he said. “It should start some conversations and get some cogs whirring.”

BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H: “This is a ground-breaking film that really puts into context the hierarchy of road users.

“The BHS safety team were so keen to partner Co-Pilot in this project and our thanks go to them for highlighting this important part of the Highway Code changes.”

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Award and awareness rides: the fight to keep horses and riders safe on our roads

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 15:44:23 +0000

A campaign to improve horse and rider road safety has won a prestigious national award – as Pass Wide and Slow (PWAS) awareness rides have taken place across the country.

The British Horse Society’s (BHS) Dead Slow campaign was recognised at the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving (IMTD) awards, which “recognise outstanding contribution to driver training and road safety”. The title was awarded on 7 September, the weekend before the PWAS awareness rides were held across the country.

BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox has previously told H&H of the work he and his team have been doing with driving instructors to improve horse and rider safety.

“We’re so pleased to be recognised with an award, for a significant contribution to road safety,” he said. “The safety team has had very positive partnerships with driving instructors since we launched the campaign and it has been so important to involve them when it comes to increasing the safety of horses on the road.

“Regular communication is extremely important, and we are looking forward to working with even more organisations to drive greater awareness of equine road safety.”

The IMTD awards are “an opportunity to recognise outstanding contribution to driver training. This includes individuals and/or organisations that have played a significant role in promoting road safety in the field of driver education”. A BHS spokesperson told H&H a key part of the Dead Slow campaign is “considering how the BHS can reach young drivers to help them understand the dangers of passing horses too quickly and closely on our roads”.

“The BHS works alongside driver instructor associations to ensure the rules included in the Highway Code continue to be an integral part of people’s learning,” she said.

This year, more than 245 PWAS rides were held, across the UK but also in the US, Canada, Poland and New Zealand.

Laura Grant, one of the PWAS admin team, organised a ride in Carmarthenshire. Laura’s pony Katie suffered a fatal injury when a passing vehicle scared her and she went into a cattle grid, in 2023.

“We were still all over the place last September but this year, we organised a ride to remember Katie, and make things better for other horses,” Laura told H&H. “We were escorted by police all the way, which was very good, but in the end only had one carriage and two riders – because people are just too scared to ride on the roads.”

Laura’s ride had the support of councillors and Dame Nia Griffith MP, who went along for the ride in the carriage.

“That was her first carriage ride and she felt first-hand what it was like to have cars going past too fast and too close, and she said something has to be done,” Laura said. “But it was lovely to see smiley faces, and we were blessed to have sponsors; we had Evo Equine and Equi Hi Viz; other rides were sponsored by local businesses and big companies.

“This year the rides were international too; a woman in New Zealand saw our social media group and got on board there so there were over 245 in total.”

Members of the PWAS Facebook group also raised enough money to put the PWAS message on buses across the country this year, and are campaigning for the Highway Code to be made law, especially in relation to the guidance on passing horses.

“I just don’t want anyone else to have to go through the pain of losing their horse or being injured on the road. It’s devastating,” Laura said. “It means so much to me to be doing something positive out of something so awful, and keeping Katie’s memory alive.”

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Horses’ ‘magical’ lifeline for young people could help our sport thrive

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 11:44:01 +0000

Interacting with horses is a “lifeline” to young people, research has found – not only highlighting the strength of the horse-human bond but helping secure our sport’s future.

The British Horse Society (BHS) has published the results of a study it carried out with the University of Buckingham to analyse the effectiveness of equestrian-led educational schemes such as the BHS’s Changing Lives through Horses (CLtH).

Considering available research and CLtH, including interviewing programme participants, it looked at six key skill areas: communication, confidence, teamwork, responsibility, perseverance and relationship-building.

“It found that there has been a statistically significant improvement across the six areas and that equine interactions have proven to strengthen participants’ transferable skills, enhance social and emotional development, and create a positive shift in their behaviour,” a BHS spokesperson said.

“Research also discovered that horse-led activities have helped people with autism improve social functioning, goal attainment and empathy, and help decrease behaviours such as irritability and hyperactivity.”

The CLtH programme aims to improve the lives of young people who need additional support, are disengaged or disadvantaged, or at risk of becoming excluded from education. The programme, run at BHS-approved centres, is an alternative to education and has helped thousands of people.

BHS chief operating officer Sarah Phillips told H&H a “great strength” of CLtH is that it allows the charity to work with people from all backgrounds and of all abilities.

“This scheme is more than just learning to ride; it’s about helping young people find a place in the world, through the magic of horses,” she said. “We all know how special that bond is; the connection is truly unlike anything else and the findings of this study are true testament to that.

“It’s so important to us that as many people as possible have the opportunity to experience this bond and access high-quality, equine-led alternative education to support their individual needs. We want to be able to empower every individual, so they can thrive.”

Ms Phillips said reinforcing horses’ ability to connect with people will help “share a positive narrative”.

H&H reported that new Riding for the Disabled Association CEO Michael Bishop believes that the more people to whom horses are relevant, the more likely riding horses will retain public support, and Ms Phillips agrees.

“When it comes to social licence, it is about being relevant,” she said.

“A great proportion of participants on our CLtH programme had never seen a horse in person. Many thought it wouldn’t have been possible. But after just one day, you can see they have fallen in love with the horses. We’ve spoken to parents whose children have been so excited to return. It’s clear these experiences have truly changed their lives.

“These families, who may have never even given a second thought to horses, now play very important roles as key advocates for the powerful horse-human bond. There are so many brilliant, positive initiatives and interactions at our riding centres, and we want to put these experiences at the forefront of the conversation.

“Many of those who take part in the CLtH initiative are enthusiastic to share these stories. These, with the study, will be very important as we evidence just how essential that unique horse-human relationship is for future generations.”

Becky, a non-horsey mother of twin daughters with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism, is keen to help promote CLtH “so more children can benefit”.

She told H&H her daughters, now 13, were referred soon after they joined their mainstream secondary school, by the school itself, as the transition had been very tough for them.

“They started with one day a week at the stables, then it was increased to two, and I’ve had some lovely reports from the owner,” she said.

Becky said her daughters have grown in confidence, and that both now want to work with horses.

“They’ve really benefited from it,” she said. “They struggled with friendships at school, and that happened for a few months at the stables but then it stopped, as they were able to express themselves and be calm around the horses. It’s hard to put into words the difference it’s made.”

Becky cited the space, the lack of pressure, the absence of a classroom environment, the supportive staff – and the horses.

“They’re so in tune with emotions and they just seem to know what the person needs,” she said. “The girls talk about the horses as friends.”

Becky hopes her daughters will secure the nationally recognised qualifications available via the scheme, which will benefit their employment prospects.

“Before, they didn’t have a clue what they wanted to do when they’re older; now they do,” she said. “We adopted them aged three; they had a rough start so to have something like this to focus on, it’s more than I could have thought possible for them.”

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Are our eyes playing tricks on us? Different backgrounds can make horses seem fatter

Becky Murray — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 16:38:35 +0000

Horses in lush green fields may incorrectly be considered to have a higher body condition score than if they were in a bare paddock – and vice versa – owing to our eyes playing tricks on us.

In a study published in the Equine Veterinary Journal, researchers from the University of Liverpool and the British Horse Society (BHS) aimed to understand whether grass cover of the background environment in which a horse is viewed can influence perception in body condition scoring.

Photographs of 20 horses were taken in their usual fields, then superimposed on a background image of sparse grass and a background of lush grass. More than 150 participants – owners, vets, vet nurses and students and other equestrian professionals – assessed the images and scored the horses’ condition.

A picture of a horse superimposed on a background of sparse grass. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“The analysis of data showed that the body condition scores given to horses was significantly higher on the lush pasture than the bare pasture, for both mean and median values,” the researchers concluded.

“Overall, the findings of this research project highlight that background environment has an impact on the visual perception of body condition scoring in horses.”

Lead author Holly Hibberd, a vet student at the University of Liverpool and a rider, told H&H it is important that owners consider their horses’ environment when considering their weight.

“We believe it is to do with visual perception, and it would be interesting to see if this is the case with other species too. The idea is that if they are on a lush pasture, they look like they have more food and it almost tricks your brain into thinking they must be on the bigger side. Whereas if they’re on a pasture with less food, you might think, ‘They must be starving,’ so think they look smaller,” she said.

“We need to be aware that when they’re on different types of pasture, there might be some form of bias. It’s really important that we manage our horses’ weight and we don’t want anything to skew how we look at them.”

Miss Hibberd said future research in this area might look at the differences in body scores when a horse is on a yard or under saddle, to see how scores compare between more environments.

She added that body condition scoring is “very useful” to owners.

“Not everyone has access to a weighbridge, so going off how your horse looks and knowing what a good body condition score looks like is really important. There are lots of websites, including the BHS, that provide guides on how to score body condition.”

A BHS spokesperson told H&H that the society recommends keeping a picture diary of horses’ weight, using the same neutral background for all photos.

“While it is also helpful to keep the environment in mind when looking at our horses, it is vital to do hands-on scoring regularly,” she said.

“We therefore strongly encourage horse owners and carers to continue to use their hands to feel for, and take note of, areas of fat across the horse’s body. It is the best way to capture an accurate score, which is extremely important in order to keep our horses at a healthy weight.”

Read the study abstract

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MoD and British Horse Society link up to help riders hacking on military land

Lucy Elder — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 18:26:09 +0000

The British Horse Society (BHS) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) have launched a new resource to help promote safe off-road riding on military land.

The “Riding on MoD land” page contains information about accessible riding routes, plus safety guidance. The idea is that riders can use it alongside the public safety information on the GOV.UK website for details on where to ride safely, restrictions, and links to check firing times.

“While the primary use of MoD land is to enable military training, we are committed to maintaining publicly accessible areas, some of which provide ideal horse-riding opportunities,” said James Nevitt, senior public access and recreation advisor at the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

“We encourage horse riders to access MoD land when and where it is safe to do so, and we’re excited to be working with the British Horse Society to increase awareness of how to access our estate safely. We hope this guidance is well received and that riders continue to enjoy using MoD land.”

The MoD owns and maintains hundreds of thousands of hectares of land, which are primarily used for military training.

For example, on Salisbury Plain Training Area in Wiltshire, the Imber Range Perimeter Path provides a 50km circular mixed terrain route. It follows the perimeter of the Imber Firing Range Danger Area and has views of the Westbury White Horse.

Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland spans more than 22,000 hectares, parts of which can be accessed for riding, alongside the moorland birds, ravens and even wild goats.

The Epynt Way in Powys has 65km of off-road riding within Sennybridge Training Area, featuring views across to the Black Mountains, the Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains, and the Carmarthenshire Black Mountain.

When military training is not taking place, there are opportunities for riding, cycling, walking, climbing – or even just driving on military roads.

BHS director of access Mark Weston added: “A lot of much needed safe off-road riding is available on the MoD estate across the nations, and it is really important that horse riders know how to access this safely.

The new ‘Riding on MoD Land’ page on our website provides just that advice, at the click of a button. We are pleased to be working with the MoD to produce this valuable information resource.”

Visit: https://www.bhs.org.uk/go-riding/riding-out-hacking/riding-on-mod-land/

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(Image credit: BHS/MOD)

Drivers pass horses slower after mindfulness training, study finds

Lucy Elder — Sat, 20 Jul 2024 18:45:33 +0000

Could practising mindfulness help improve road safety? The British Horse Society (BHS) has shared new videos that will be offered to various places to help people improve their driving.

The four videos were produced by the BHS, Nottingham Trent University and Esitu Solutions, with funding from The Road Safety Trust.

The videos were informed by a study of more than 1,000 drivers, which asked what they felt, thought, and how they behaved around vulnerable road users.

The research found that spotting horses in the road ahead was most likely to lead to feelings of surprise and happiness in the drivers, whereas the strongest emotions evoked by cyclists were reported to be frustration and anxiety.

Evaluation from more than 300 drivers found attitudes towards cyclists improved after seeing the mindfulness videos, as well as a reduction in intended speeds for passing both cyclists and horse riders.

“We are presenting the evaluation of the videos at the National Road Safety GB conference,” BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H.

“The videos will then be offered to driving instructors, the police, road safety partnerships and local authority safety teams, to be used at road safety events and school programmes.”

He added that the team hope these videos “will serve as an important and engaging tool that will encourage greater harmony and respect amongst all road users”.

A total of 82% of drivers agreed that their knowledge of how to pass horses had improved having seen the videos, 84% said they will be in more control when overtaking them in future, and that they will use mindfulness techniques when they next encounter vulnerable road users. Similar results were also recorded regarding encountering and passing cyclists in future.

Professor David Crundall of Nottingham Trent University, said: “Our previous research with The Road Safety Trust has demonstrated that mindfulness training can change the way people drive for the better.

“This next step has required us to distil mindfulness concepts and techniques into a series of bite-sized road safety videos that we hope will have great benefits for the most vulnerable of road users.”

The videos include areas such as monitoring yourself for negative thoughts, emotion labelling, and mindfulness techniques.

Ruth Purdie, chief executive of The Road Safety Trust, said: “Close passing is a real and present danger for both horse riders and cyclists.

“Mindfulness training has the potential to help change that, with evaluation suggesting it has a positive effect on the attitudes and emotion of drivers towards cyclists, and that their intended future overtaking speeds have decreased.”

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‘We made it happen’: horse community works together to regain off-road riding

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 13 Jul 2024 19:21:34 +0000

Riders are urged to work with the authorities to regain access to off-road routes, as recent cases show the difference this can make.

Gates obstructing a restricted byway in North Yorkshire have been removed, and a broken bridge in Buckinghamshire has been repaired and reopened, allowing riders access to safe areas again.

The British Horse Society (BHS), with support of the Ramblers, Byways and Bridleways Trust and Open Spaces Society, secured the removal of two pairs of large gates in Stanwick St John.

The route is open to walkers, cyclists, riders and carriage drivers but the gates had been put up without authorisation, “giving the public the clear impression the byway was private”, the BHS said.

A spokesperson for the charity told H&H the BHS had been working with local authorities, calling for the gates’ removal. After the council agreed the byway was obstructed, Yorkshire magistrates ordered the council to secure their removal by 3 July, which has now been done.

BHS director of access Mark Weston told H&H: “The council’s removal of these gates demonstrates that people must not erect gates across the highway unless they are authorised by the council to do so. Not only do such gates block the public’s right of passage, but they are also intimidating and make public paths appear to be privatised.

“The BHS is grateful to the Ramblers, Open Spaces Society, and Byways and Bridleways Trust for their support in bringing these proceedings. Together, it is important we protect the public’s rights to use and enjoy public paths.”

The bridge, over Padbury Brook in Steeple Claydon, Buckinghamshire, had been unusable for months.

Sarah Vousden, who has lived in the area and been riding over the bridge for years, told H&H one of the planks rotted through in December.

“Within three quarters of a mile there’s about 100 horses, and many of us reported it to the council,” she said. “They put up a notice in January saying it would be repaired within 21 days.”

Sarah said the bridleway is important for riders, especially with high levels of HS2 and East West Rail construction traffic in the surrounding area.

“We’ve been forced onto the roads, to put up with heavy traffic, and because of the lorries, the camber is pretty uninviting too,” she said. “We put up with it in winter but thought we really need to take action now.”

A fellow livery suggested action on a WhatsApp group and within a week, the “protest ride” was organised for 1 July. With support from councillor Frank Mahon, eight horses and riders went through the village on the Monday morning, in a “controlled and marshalled” group.

“Funnily enough, by the time of the ride, the council had contractors on site,” Sarah said. “It could be coincidental but I suspect it was because of our action. I’ve since hacked down there and they’ve done a good job. The equestrian community worked together and made it happen.”

A Buckinghamshire Council spokesperson told H&H: “We’re pleased to confirm this bridge has now reopened so we hope this is welcome news for local riders; we very much recognise the importance of equestrian access. Unfortunately, we had had to close this bridge as there was significant decay in the wooden decking, and it had become dangerous to use.

“Repairs were delayed as the site became subject to flooding, but we were able to carry out the works when the land dried out. We thank users of this route for their patience while the bridge was out of action.”

Mr Weston added that keeping horses and riders safe is a “key priority” for the BHS.

“We encourage all equestrians to contact their local authorities and report any problems they’ve encountered,” he said. “By working together, we can ensure our off-road routes can be enjoyed by future generations.”

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‘We have to stand up for the horses’: welfare stewards coming to a show near you

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 28 Jun 2024 15:28:26 +0000

A growing army of equine welfare stewards appearing at shows across the country hope the scheme will make a difference – to benefit horses and all of us who ride them.

There are now about 30, including vets and saddle-fitters, who have undertaken training for the voluntary role, and they have been booked for a number of events this summer – and other shows have been urged to follow suit.

H&H reported that the Royal Three Counties Show (pictured) brought in a rule last year that everyone had to be suitably mounted, and that a welfare officer was brought in, resulting in 12 people being asked to dismount.

That officer was Amanda Stoddart-West, livestock and entries coordinator for the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) who has been instrumental in a number of welfare-related rule changes, who then took the idea further.

“We attended about four shows last year,” Mrs Stoddart-West told H&H. “Then over the winter, we wanted to expand the idea. At the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations conference in November, we announced that we were forming a group and working with the [British Horse Society] BHS, which had agreed to help with training.”

So far in 2024, welfare stewards have been at the Royal Cornwall and the Three Counties again. They will be at the GYS, Equifest, Kent County, Ashbourne and the Festival of Dressage.

“It’s not just showing, it’s across the board.” Mrs Stoddart-West said, adding that although the stewards consider rider-to-horse weight ratio, they are looking at every aspect of equine welfare.

“It’s riding, handling, equine obesity; all of it,” she said. “And rather than being seen as negative, whenever we see good welfare, we approach those people and tell them.”

She said the group would like to be able to give awards for good welfare, and if a sponsor were to be found this could happen, and possibly gilets or tops to identify who the stewards are.

“Hopefully it will become more and more normal to see us at shows,” she said. “Someone recently said that in four years, the show that doesn’t have [stewards] will be the odd one out. We want to promote this as a positive, and for people to see a friendly face. At the Three Counties we were encouraging people to participate and a couple of exhibitors came up with their ponies and asked to be weighed, which was brilliant.

Nicki Mundy asked to be weighed with her tack (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“That’s exactly what we want; people putting their horses first and I hope we’re starting to make a difference. We can’t turn a blind eye to what goes on; we have to stand up for the horse.”

Three Counties show secretary Betsy Branyan told H&H the show takes animal welfare “very seriously” and had been concerned about some poor standards.

“This year, we invited Amanda and Cathy Hyde to attend as welfare stewards,” she said. “Cathy is a former RSPCA chief inspector and now works as a welfare officer for the BHS. We were delighted with the success of this initiative. Many competitors voluntarily asked to be weighed with their tack to ensure that they were under the 20% ratio; riders who were deemed borderline or potentially over were also invited to be weighed and the majority were happy to comply.

“The good news for animal welfare is that we had far fewer oversized riders this year and the vast majority of riders want to be a part of improving standards of equine welfare. I would love to see this being adopted more widely at shows as this is the only way that standards will improve. We are a very long way from winning the battle for suitably mounted riders but I feel more riders now accept this as a vital step to ensure equestrian sports continue.”

A BHS spokesperson told H&H prevention of poor welfare via education is “something we strongly believe in”.

“Appropriately trained, independent volunteers play a huge part in promoting and supporting positive welfare at events, as well as guiding and educating equestrians at every point of their journey with horses,” she said.

With the ever-increasing spotlight on social licence to operate, and to help facilitate this support at equine competitions, we are pleased to have been given the opportunity to provide training to the volunteers who wish to fulfil the role of welfare steward.

“It’s been great to start this training with topics such as how to correctly fat-score, as equine obesity is a major welfare issue, as well as motivational interviewing and how to deal with sensitive conversations. Nearly 30 volunteers from a wide range of equestrian backgrounds, including vets and other equine professionals, have taken part. The volunteers will then become part of a mentoring programme with ongoing support and training for the role.”

‘Matching horses and riders is more complex than rider weight’: federation tackles ‘sensitive’ topic

Becky Murray — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 17:58:19 +0000

Rider weight limits have come under the spotlight again as it is agreed multiple factors should be considered when matching horses and riders – and that weight discussions should be approached carefully with young people.

Last month the Swedish equestrian federation spoke out on the topic, following reports in the Swedish media. The federation does not recommend having weight limits at riding schools, for children or adults, “for the good of the horse and the person”, and that weight limits go against Sweden’s national sports confederation’s guidelines for children and youth sports.

The federation said horse welfare “must always be central”, but that matching horses and riders is more complex than rider weight, and should be based on factors including horse breed and size, the horse’s training, rider ability and the riding activity.

“It is important to consider this overall picture,” the federation’s secretary general Johan Fyrberg told H&H.

“Most people who ride at Swedish riding schools are young girls, a group where weight is often a sensitive subject. As a sport, we should not contribute to this issue, as we know that it could have serious consequences such as eating disorders or other psychological problems. We see that instructors can match rider and horse perfectly fine without publicly pointing out a rider’s weight.”

Mr Fyrberg added that the federation’s stance is “not new” and that most coaches “handle this very well”.

“However, after this subject was raised in a few newspapers, we chose to be extra explicit with our recommendations,” he said.

Rider weight has been increasingly discussed in the UK, and last year the suitably mounted working group was formed to tackle incompatible horse-rider combinations. Researcher Tamzin Furtado, one of the group’s founders, told H&H it is “excellent” to see the Swedish federation considering mental health.

“I agree that some ‘blanket’ weight limits can be misleading; for example, policies that say, ‘No riders over a certain weight can attend this riding school,’ can be less helpful than having individual limits per horse, which might be regularly reassessed,” she said, adding that horse-to-rider weight ratios are an “important, albeit complex welfare issue”.

“We have strong evidence that it can be detrimental to horses to carry a load heavier than is ideal for that individual, though this is affected by fitness, build, breed, age, tack and other factors.”

Ms Furtado said that for young riders “discussing weight is very sensitive”.

“We need to engage carefully with the issue alongside advice from mental health professionals and psychologists,” she said.

Pony Club chief executive Marcus Capel told H&H the organisation has discussed rider weight “at length over the years” and he supports the Swedish federation’s recommendations.

“We are aware how sensitive the issue of body image is for young people. We have been working with mental health charity Riders Minds to promote and support positive mental health in our young people,” he said.

Oonagh Meyer, British Horse Society head of operations for approved centres, told H&H that rider ability, horse size and training should always be considered. “Alongside this, in the interests of equine welfare and safety, our approved centres have a rider size and weight limit for each of their horses and ponies,” she said.

“Although a sensitive issue, it is vital that anyone understands that the proprietor has restrictions in recognition of a rider’s height and weight. The priority has to be the welfare of the horse.”

Do you agree with the Swedish federation’s recommendations? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, and nearest town and county, for consideration for publication on our letters page.