The British Horse Society Ireland (BHS) have just launched a free guidance resource and video to support the development of off-road equestrian access in Northern Ireland, and to encourage responsible sharing of public spaces by all who use them.

The BHS works proactively to facilitate and support safe off-road access for both horse riders and carriage drivers. The Society protects and promotes the interests of all horses and those who care about them, including three million people in the UK and 46,799 people in Ireland who ride or who drive a horse-drawn carriage.

There are an estimated 34,250 horses in Northern Ireland, over 70% of which are kept for recreational purposes. Sadly, last year there were 66 horses killed on rural roads across the UK, 129 horses and 126 riders injured as a result of a collision with a vehicle.

Lack of access

Due to insufficient safe off-road access for equestrians in Northern Ireland, the vast majority of equestrians are forced to use the road. Some hack to or transport a horse to an access site such as a forest or beach; however, these types of sites are not readily or sufficiently available throughout Northern Ireland.

The free guide called Enabling Equestrian Access in Northern Ireland is aimed at stakeholders and the public to encourage the inclusion of equestrians in appropriate public spaces, along with technical advice and recommendation sections for planners.

The video aims to raise awareness of the need for responsible use by all users (primarily motorists, cyclists, walkers and horse riders) in public shared spaces and demonstrates the BHS’s Dead Slow messaging on how to safely pass a horse on the road.

The Road Safety Authority also provides a downloadable Horse Road Safety booklet at: www.rsa.ie