Road safety and travel

Horse Safety on the Roads in Australia

April 2021

Riding your horse safely on the roads

Wherever you ride, horse and rider road safety is as important as it ever was or will be. The roads are potentially dangerous for all users – some are just vulnerable for different reasons. In 2015, Dr Kirrilly Thompson, PhD published findings from a survey where over half of all riders (52%) reported having experienced at least one accident or near miss in the prior 12 months. This is alarming, given that every accident or near-miss to a horse and rider is a potential accident or near-miss to a driver, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian. This updated road safety booklet will help riders be prepared for riding on the roads and support a safer experience.

How to safely share roads and paths with horse riders

Hints and tips for other road, path and trail users when sharing space with horses. Share with your non horsey friends to help them understand the best course of action when they are sharing space with horses, so that everyone may stay as safe as possible. Road safety is important to all users of roads. This is a companion to the road safety booklet Horse Safety on the Roads in Australia.

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Not everyone has experience with horses so we have provided some tips on how to share 

Travel of Horses

There are National Standards for the Transport of Livestock, including Horses. Each State is responsible for enforcement through state branches of the RSPCA. 

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In South Australia, the Animal Welfare Act Regulations states the requirements in Part 7.

Horse Riders

Horses, under the Australian Road Rules, are considered a vehicle. An overview of rule for horse riders can be found on the Transport SA webpage  Rules for Horse Riders on Roads.

Education

Horse Riding and the Law recorded webinar kindly provided by Andersons Solicitors. Download notes here. Any horse riding on road-related area questions can be emailed to marketing@andersons.com.au and selected questions will form the subject of future blogs.

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Research

Inroads into Equestrian Safety: Rider-Reported Factors Contributing to Horse-Related Accidents and Near Misses on Australian Roads. Kirrilly Thompson. Chelsea Matthews  Download from this link. 

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