Riding a horse on the road

This page is about riding a horse on the road in England, Scotland and Wales. It covers what the Highway Code asks of drivers and riders, being seen, and checking the reins and tack you ride in.

This site does not sell tack or anything else.

Passing a horse

The Highway Code says that when drivers see a horse on a road, they should slow down to a maximum of 10 mph. They should not sound the horn or rev the engine. When it is safe, they should pass wide and slow, leaving at least 2 metres of space.

If it is not safe to leave that much room, the code says drivers should wait behind and not overtake.

These changes came into the code on 29 January 2022. A driver may also cross a double white line, if they need to and the road is clear, to pass a horse rider going at 10 mph or less.

The code sets out a hierarchy of road users. People in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose. Horse riders, in turn, have a responsibility to reduce danger to people on foot.

At a junction, drivers should not cut across a horse rider who is going ahead.

Rules for riders

A child under 14 must wear a riding helmet that meets the regulations, fastened securely. This does not apply to a Sikh child wearing a turban. The code says other riders should also wear one. Under a 1990 law, it is an offence for the people responsible for the child, or for the horse, to cause or permit a child under 14 to ride on a road without one.

You must not take a horse onto a footpath or pavement. The code also says you should not take one onto a cycle track, and should use a bridleway where you can.

On the road, keep both hands on the reins unless you are signalling. Keep to the left, never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and round bends.

Being seen

The Highway Code says to wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight. It is safer not to ride on the road at night or when it is hard to see. If you do, wear reflective clothing and put reflective bands on your horse above the fetlock joints.

At night, the rider should also wear a light on the right arm or leg, showing white to the front and red to the rear.

The British Horse Society recommends, as a minimum, leg bands on the horse and a hi-vis jacket or tabard for the rider.

Checking your reins and tack

Before you take a horse on the road, the Highway Code asks you to make sure all tack fits well and is in good condition. It says never to ride a horse without both a saddle and a bridle.

The British Horse Society suggests looking for split or cracking leather, worn stitching and rot. It says to check especially around the holes, and where the leather folds round a buckle.

It also suggests checking the fit of the bridle each time you put it on, especially if the horse is not yours. You should be able to fit at least two adult fingers under the noseband. With a running martingale, the reins must have rein stops.

Bridleways

In England and Wales, a blue arrow marks a bridleway. The Countryside Code describes it as a right of way for walkers, people using mobility aids, horse riders and cyclists. On a bridleway, cyclists must give way to walkers and horse riders.

Incidents on the road

The British Horse Society says 2,810 road incidents involving horses were reported to it in 2025. It says 59 horses died and 86 people were injured. In 83% of the incidents, a driver passed too quickly.

Anyone can report an incident or a near miss to the society, whether or not they are a member. It also asks riders to report dangerous driving to the police.

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