According to new figures released by the British Horse Society (BHS), in 2023 at least one horse was killed each week on the roads across the UK. Three riders also died in 2023 as a result of a road incident – the highest number of human fatalities in horse-related road accidents recorded by the charity since 2018.
Losing a horse is any owner’s worst nightmare, no matter the reason. But many find their loss even more difficult to come to terms with when the cause is due to careless – and uneducated – drivers.
These alarming statistics are a stark reminder that road incidents continue to be an issue across the UK, despite the changes implemented in the Highway Code in 2022 setting out clear guidance for passing horses safely.