British Horse Society calls for action as equestrians remain ‘largely overlooked’ in new national safety strategy
Equestrians across the United Kingdom are being urged to contact their Members of Parliament ahead of a crucial debate on equestrian road safety scheduled for 14 January 2026.
The call to action comes days after the UK Department for Transport released its first new national road safety strategy in over a decade – a document that, whilst mentioning horses and riders as vulnerable road users, has drawn criticism for failing to adequately address equestrian safety concerns.
The numbers
British Horse Society statistics reveal the scale of the problem: between November 2010 and the end of 2024, there were 18,683 reported road incidents involving horses, resulting in 47 human deaths, 697 equine deaths, 1782 human injuries and 1625 equine injuries.
Despite these figures, the new strategy includes horses and riders in some sections but not others, and makes no provision for them in vehicle safety technology such as emergency braking systems designed for cyclists and pedestrians.
Largely overlooked
“While equestrians are mentioned, they do remain largely overlooked,” said Alan Hiscox, British Horse Society director of safety. “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.”
Hiscox highlighted that new vehicle safety technologies include emergency braking systems for cyclists and pedestrians but do not consider horses, and that surveys indicate only around 10% of drivers are aware of Highway Code changes implemented in 2022.
Lawyer Charlotte Dowson added that 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.”
Parliamentary action
Newbury MP Lee Dillon has secured a Westminster Hall debate for 14 January, working alongside the British Horse Society, the British Horseracing Authority and Project EDWARD. He has also submitted a presentation bill to parliament, scheduled for its second reading on 16 January.
“Horses and riders remain some of the most vulnerable road users, and incidents on rural roads can have life-changing consequences,” Dillon said. “It is not about blaming drivers; it’s about making our roads safer for everyone.”
Both Dillon and the BHS are emphasising that individual riders can make a difference by contacting their MPs.
“Don’t underestimate the impact you can have as an individual,” Dillon 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.”
The British Horse Society has created template letters on its website to help equestrians contact their MPs efficiently ahead of the debate.
What riders are asking for
Equestrian safety advocates are calling for vehicle safety technology that detects horses, greater emphasis on sharing roads with horses in driver education, widespread awareness campaigns about Highway Code changes, better enforcement of regulations, improved rural road infrastructure, and more comprehensive data collection on equestrian road incidents.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the strategy “marks a turning point” and promises to save “thousands of lives over the coming decade.” Equestrian advocates hope this commitment to making roads safer “for everyone” will translate into concrete measures that adequately protect horses and riders.
The Westminster Hall debate on 14 January represents an opportunity for parliament to address a safety issue that affects thousands of riders and horses across the UK each year.
For more information about the British Horse Society’s road safety campaign, visit bhs.org.uk.