A number of medal-winning para dressage rider Natasha Baker is backing requires extra consciousness of modifications to the Freeway Code – because it emerged 68 horses had been killed on Britain’s roads final yr.
The British Horse Society (BHS) launched its 2022 incident figures on 29 January. They confirmed that 3,552 studies had been made final yr, a 21% enhance on 2021, regardless of the very fact modifications aimed toward bettering horse and rider security utilized from final January.
The BHS mentioned it’s dissatisfied extra has not been accomplished to boost public consciousness of the Freeway Code modifications, which rank equestrians alongside cyclists within the new hierarchy of highway customers, and state that horses have to be handed at a most of 10mph and a minimal of two metres’ distance.
“I’m very enthusiastic about security,” Natasha mentioned. “Hacking is an enormous a part of my coaching, serving to to construct my horses’ health ranges, however heading out on the roads can really feel such as you’re taking your life into your individual arms.
“I’m so unhappy to see that this continues to stay the case, and it appears to be like to be even worse a yr after the modifications to the Freeway Code had been launched. Driving helps individuals from all backgrounds and walks of life, significantly in relation to relieving disturbing conditions, and extra must be accomplished to make it possible for each rider feels secure.”
The BHS says “pressing motion” is required to teach drivers.
“Horses are nonetheless being killed and injured on our roads, riders proceed to be significantly injured and too many drivers underestimate the significance of driving fastidiously round horses,” mentioned BHS director of security Alan Hiscox.
“Our concern is that pointers aren’t being clearly defined and delivered – this wants to vary. Pressing motion is required to make each highway person conscious of the Freeway Code modifications and, critically, why it’s so vital to cross horses with care. Solely by means of working collaboratively to teach and drive consciousness will we be capable to cease these terrible incidents from occurring again and again.”
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