Motorists urged to 'slow down' after horse death

Two-year-old racehorse called Knockalla died when she was frightened by a vehicle

A group of horse riders are taking on a big riding challenge to raise awareness of road safety around horses.

Two horses and a pony are being ridden for five days from Lambourn Gallops to Windsor, Berkshire, as part of the Royal Windsor Horse Show which starts on Thursday.

The Equestrian Road Safety Awareness Ride has been organised by the British Horse Society (BHS) and Project Edward in memory of two-year-old racehorse Knockalla, which died after being frightened by a car.

Director of safety for BHS, Alan Hiscox, will be one of the riders. He said: "I think it is a lack of understanding, of how horses will react to something on the near side, or a vehicle passing too fast or too close."

In 2024, 58 horses were killed on the road and 97 injured, with 80 riders also injured, according to BHS.

Mr Hiscox explained the group wanted to highlight the 2022 changes in the Highway Code, specific to equestrians, which state: "If you see a horse on the road, slow down, pass slowly and give them a wide berth".

The horse riders will be riding from Lambourne to Windsor across five days

Mr Hiscox will be one of the three riders, along with Des Payne, from BHS, and BBC Sport presenter Lizzy Greenwood.

"In Berkshire, the number of incidents recorded with BHS went up by 50%," Mr Hiscox said.

"It's absolutely shocking.

"You would think, that with the Highway Code changes, that when drivers see a horse on the road they would just slow down and give that space.

"But, unfortunately not and we want that consideration.

"IIt is still a challenge to ride horses on the roads.

"The horses are not there because they want to be, neither are the riders, it's because there's not enough safe off-road access."

He added: "We're just asking for that respect and that consideration that when you see a horse on the road to slow down to about 10 mph and give them two meters distance."