Have Horse Sense on the Roads this Summer

As many New Zealanders prepare for their summer holiday, motorists are urged to remember that they will share the roads with others, including horses. Drivers must be aware of, and able to give way to horse riders on the road or verges at all times.

Today’s motorists and cyclists are mainly urban based, and therefore less familiar with the road rules and etiquette for dealing with stock, or horses on the roads, than previous generations of drivers. When approaching any horse and rider (or person leading a horse), all vehicles should slow down and ensure that they give the horse plenty of room. In some situations, such as a narrow road or on a bridge, or at any time when the horse appears frightened vehicles may need to stop.

“Horses, cycles, and pedestrians are all entitled to use the road system, alongside vehicles.” says Vivien Dostine from the NZ Horse Recreation. The road code sets out rules for road users, if they meet horse riders, or stock on the roads. “You can be charged with careless or dangerous driving, if you are not careful around horses.

It is impossible to tell from a distance if either the horse or its rider is old, experienced and tolerant, or young, inexperienced and nervous. Many riders are young and just trying to get from their home paddocks to the local pony club grounds or riding area. Cars whizzing by at high speed or with noisy trailers, endanger their lives, and may also endanger others around them.

Riders are permitted to ride in double file, placing an older more experienced horse (or rider) nearest the traffic. All road users should watch out for horse riders signals, and heed any request to slow down or stop.

For more information about how horses perceive the world, and how to stay safe on the roads around horse traffic visit the website Horse Sense on the Roads. The website and publications provide information specific to each of the major road user groups including motorcycles, trail bikes, cyclists and pedestrians. It also provides safety tips for riders, along with information for safe towing.