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Safety When Riding on the Roads:

Last Modified: January 11, 2001

There are many factors to consider before leaving the safety of your enclosed riding ring for the road. While riding on the road or in the countryside is a refreshing experience for both the horse and the rider a few points should be considered:

  1. Be sure you know and trust your horse. A nervous or overly fresh horse is going to be more difficult to handle when away from familiar surroundings.
  2. Know the correct hand signals for indicating left or right turns, or stop, so you can inform motorists of your intentions. The signals are the same as those for riding a bicycle.
  3. Dress properly, wear a hard hat, proper leg wear (no wide flapping trousers or shorts) and footwear - a solid shoe with a heel.
  4. Check your horse's tack, the bridle should be complete (never ride on the road with just a halter) all parts should be well maintained. In particular, the cheek pieces and reins are prone to breakage. Likewise the saddle, stirrup leathers, girth tabs and the girth itself must be inspected for stretching that could lead to a tear break.
  5. The saddle must fit the horse properly so that it will not slide forward or backwards. The stirrups should be the correct size for the riders feet. Stirrup rubbers help to prevent the foot from sliding in the stirrup, and also act as insulators between the metal and the foot in the cold weather.

Alone or in a Small Group

  1. Ride in single file, look ahead and keep a straight line.
  2. Ride on the right hand side of the road.
  3. The leader of the group should maintain a steady, responsible pace.
  4. Obey all traffic signs and lights and obey the police.
  5. Give way to pedestrians at authorized crossings.
  6. Look both ways before crossing the road.
  7. Before crossing make sure all members of your group are together and ready to cross. Allow enough time for everyone to cross the road at the same time.
  8. Do not fight with your horse - if he shies, turn his head away from what he is frightened of and push him past it.
  9. Place a quiet horse in front and at the rear of the ride.

In Towns

  1. Avoid crowds and especially children. Curious pedestrians can easily get hurt if a horse becomes nervous or excited.
  2. Keep away from dogs, they often bark and upset the horse. Warn the dog's owner if there is a risk of the dog being injured.
  3. Respect private property. Do not ride on mowed lawns or flower beds.
  4. Do not lead or ride your horse on the sidewalk, or hitch your horse in such a manner that he blocks the sidewalk or crosswalk.

In the Country

  1. Respect private property, always ask the farmer if you can ride on his fields.
  2. Always secure gates correctly behind you.
  3. Never cut a wire fence.
  4. Do not excite other farm animals.
  5. Do not ride through fields that pasture loose horses.
  6. Do not smoke. A carelessly dropped cigarette could start a fire.
  7. Do not litter.

Leading a Horse

  1. Leading while mounted, the led horse should be on the riders right hand side.
  2. Always lead the horse in a bridle or a halter with a chain leadshank.
  3. When leading a horse on foot place yourself between the horse and the traffic.

On Highways

Road safety rules that apply to riding a horse on the highway state that:

  1. A person riding an animal on a highway has all the responsibilities of a driver of a motorized vehicle.
  2. A horse and rider must ride with the traffic on the right hand side of the road.
  3. Riders must form a single file one behind the other, and should pass side to side only when overtaking another animal (racing of any kind is forbidden on a highway).
  4. An animal must not be left tied or unattended on any highway.
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In the Winter

Throughout most of Canada unless you have access to an arena, the only way to exercise your horse is to ride on the road or snow packed trails.

  1. The main problem associated with outdoor riding is caused by snow balling up in the horses feet. This can be alleviated by smearing thick grease or petroleum jelly over the soles of the horses hooves.
  2. Slippery conditions are also a concern, shoes with studs help to give the horse better traction.
  3. Avoid icy patches. whenever one is forced to cross an icy stretch, such as a bridge, give the horse a lose rein so that he can lower his head for better balance and pick his own way.

At Night

  1. Avoid riding at night if possible. Drivers with poor visibility and a horse's nervous reaction to headlights are certain ingredients for problems.
  2. Preferably the lead and rear horses should be the lightest in colour. Riders should wear light - reflective clothing.
  3. Carry a light that shows white in front and red behind. This should be carried in the left hand or attached to the left stirrup.
  4. Riders should tie a white handkerchief to their left arm for greater visibility.
  5. Coats with a reflective strip should be worn or reflective tape can be wrapped around the ankles.

General

  1. Be alert and courteous, always acknowledge drivers when they slow down to pass you.
  2. When going on any ride always take a hoofpick, string, a pocketknife, a bandage, identification and money in case of accident.
  3. Always tell someone where you are going and when they can expect you back.

The above article and images are ©Canadian Equestrian Federation (CEF).
They have been Web-published on this site with the kind permission of the CEF.
The original brochure was printed through the co-operation and financial support
of Sport Canada/Canadian Heritage.