75. Children under the age of 14 SHOULD ALWAYS wear a protective
helmet. It SHOULD be fastened securely. It is highly recommended that other
riders also follow this advice.
Other clothing
76. You should wear
• boots or shoes with hard soles and heels.
• light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight.
• reflective clothing if you have to ride at night or in poor
visibility.
At night
77. It is much safer not to ride on the road at night or
in twilight, but if you do, make sure your horse has reflective bands above the
fetlock joints. Carry a light which shows white to the front and red to the
rear.
Riding
78. Before you take a horse on to a road, you should
• ensure all tack fits well and is in good condition.
• make sure you can control the horse.
79. Always ride with other, less nervous horses if you
think that your horse will be spooked by traffic. Never ride a horse bareback on
public roads. Before riding off or turning, look behind you to make sure it is
safe, then give a clear arm signal.
80. When riding on any road you should
• keep to the left.
• keep both hands on the reins unless you are signalling.
• keep both feet in the stirrups.
• not carry another person.
• not carry anything which might affect your balance or get tangled up
with the reins.
• keep a horse you are leading to your left.
• move in the direction of the traffic flow in a one-way street.
• never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file where the
road narrows or on the approach to a bend.
81. Horse drawn vehicles should avoid main or busy roads
and keep to the secondary roads. Horses should not be ridden or led along main
or busy roads.
82. Moreover, you MUST NOT take a horse on to a
sidewalk, pavement or cycle track but remain on the roadway.
83. Avoid roundabouts wherever possible. If you use them
you should
• keep to the left and watch out for vehicles crossing your path to
leave or join the roundabout.
• signal right when riding across exits to show you are not leaving.
• signal left just before you leave the roundabout.
Dogs and other animals
84. Do not let a dog out on the road on its own. Keep it
on a short lead when walking on the pavement, road or path shared with cyclists.
85. When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are
suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure
you if you stop quickly.
86. Make sure that the road is clear before you let or
take animals on the road.
87. When leading or herding animals they must be kept
under control at all times. Always place yourself between.
the animals and the traffic and keep the animals on the edge
of the road. If possible send someone else ahead to warn traffic at danger
points such as bends or the brow of a hill. It is safer not to herd animals
after dark, but if you do, carry lights after sunset - white at the front and
red at the rear. If the herd is very large it should be split into smaller herds
and should invariably be tended by two or more persons. You should not herd
cattle, sheep or goats on any main or busy road.
Animal-drawn vehicles
88. Drivers of animal-drawn vehicles should follow the
same rules as drivers of other vehicles. They have no special privileges because
of the fact that their vehicle is animal-drawn. They should realise the
limitations on the degree of control that they can exercise on their vehicles
and mounts and the possible hazards that can ensue. They should signal their
intention manually whenever they propose to change direction or stop. At night,
they should ensure that their vehicles are provided with front and rear lights
as specified.
