We are always looking for more articles, ideas and news for the newsletter. Have you been somewhere interesting recently that would make a good story? If you attend any group events then take a camera and send us your pictures!

Please forward all contributions to newsletter@wiltshireroadar.co.uk

 

 

secretary@wiltshireroadar.co.uk. 

 

If you are at all interested and wish to see how the Committe works then please join us a at the next committe meeting on 20 Sep at 7.30pm in Liddington. We all can add value to the Group and fresh ideas are always welcome so please help to guide and run the Group. 

 

October still seems a long way off but it will be here before we know it.

 

 

 

 
We were treated to an excellent talk from a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic speaker.  Julie is the regional manager for the South West region of the British Horse Society; a registered charity.  Their aim is to educate people about horses and their welfare both on and off the road. The Society has more than 200 welfare officers who visit stables, and owners, and there are 96,000+ members with membership is on the increase.  Anyone can keep a horse, livery stables do not have to be licenced although there is an approved BHS scheme.  Riding Schools can also be approved by the BHS.

She showed us pictures of her own horse, Zac, and told us everyone has a “Zac”.
Riders are very vulnerable on a horse.  Motorists do not understand why horses have to be on the road and frequently do not give enough distance/consideration when faced with the prospect of passing or meeting one.  Horses are like dynamite.  It is hard to know what will set a horse off- the most placid animal may suddenly be spooked by something as simple as a plastic bag in the hedge.  An umbrella being put up becomes a dragon,  dogs suddenly barking in a garden, a lawn mower being turned on, children playing, bright new road signs, pheasants, all monsters out to get them. Horses are herd animals and also believe that they are prey and therefore everything is out to eat them!  When they are startled they will run – anywhere – any direction and other road users need to be aware of this.  

Horses have to use the road.  Apart from having the legal right to do so, most horse riders would prefer not to have to but sadly there are nowhere near enough bridle-paths and to get from home/field to a local bridle-path almost always involves some road work.

   
The British Horse Society has received over 2,000 accident reports in the last five years involving 181 horse and 36 rider deaths.  Accidents can be reported to www.horseaccidents.org.uk  - incidents are increasing from dog attacks, low flying helicopters and even drones.  Electric cars are particularly dangerous to the horse as they are virtually silent until they are upon them.

We were shown a rather graphic video of an accident which made us realise how much damage half a ton of horse can do.  BHS have a “Dead Slow” campaign with the strapline “15 mph; dead? Or Dead Slow?” working with the Police this is an award winning campaign.

The responsibility of the rider was also emphasised.  A rider needs to:

• Control the horse
• Know the highway code
• Ensure that the tac is in good condition and applied correctly
• Have insurance cover, public liability at the very least
• Be aware of weather conditions (horses don’t like being splashed by motorist driving through puddles) and bin day (bin lorries are dragons and the bin men in high viz vests are just something else!)
• Duty Of Care – consider your own safety, that of your horse and other road users.

This was a most entertaining, at times humorous and lively talk, very thought provoking and I must say has given me a great respect both for the horse and its rider.  I shall certainly be much more aware in future.  For further information please see the British Horse Society’s website.  We have some car stickers if anyone would like to display one, please ask and I will let you have one.  Thank you Julie.

Mary Southgate

First Aid course