Hadlow College students got a first-hand taste of the importance of equine road safety earlier this month.
Students at our Greenwich Equestrian Centre were visited by mounted officers from the Met Police, who rode their horses along the nearby Shooters Hill.
A foot duty officer was on hand to pull over any poor drivers, who may have passed the horses too closely or at too high speed, and to make them aware of the dangers their driving could pose.
They were also reminded of the changes to the Highway Code last year that advise car drivers to pass horses at no more than 10mph and a distance of no less than 2m.
Students and officers then returned to the Greenwich Equestrian Centre for questions and a talk on road safety, and crime prevention advice.
This comes as figures reveal that 69 horses have been killed on our roads so far this year.
Mounted Branch PC Lewis Repsch, said: “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we were happy to have the chance to educate drivers and speak to the students about personal safety on and off the horses."
Alan Hiscox, Director of Safety at the British Horse Society, added: “It is great to get the support of the Metropolitan Police in raising awareness of the Highway Code changes that came into force in Jan 2022. There are still far too many drivers who are unaware of how to pass horses safely, and the British Horse Society is working with the Police and Road Safety partners to influence driver behaviour when passing horses. Link to Dead Slow campaign."
If you are interested in studying Equine Management at Hadlow College, you can find out more on our Equine Management subject page.
Alternatively come along to our Hadlow College Open Morning on 4 November.
Visit the British Horse Society website to learn more about its Dead Slow campaign to reduce the number of incidents and fatalities involving horses and riders on the road.