The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and police forces and partners from across the United Kingdom have teamed up on a new initiative to improve safety for horse riders on the road.
Operation Gallop, as it has been titled, has been launched as part of the National Equine Crime Group, a police-led group managed by Hampshire Constabulary. It aims to address problems with equine-related crime, road safety and rider welfare.
The joint operation’s key objectives include improving collaboration efforts between police forces, partners and charities. It hopes to reduce crimes such as theft of horses, trailers, horseboxes and other equipment, enhancing safety for all road users, and tackling illegal road racing.
The PSNI is also working with the British Horse Society within the operation to raise awareness among both motorists and horse riders on how to use roads safely. It hopes to develop good working relationships between police forces and the equestrian community.
The British Horse Society advises drivers to slow down to a maximum speed of 15mph, be patient and give lots of space (as much as two metres) when passing a horse, as long as it is safe to do so. It adds that motorists should drive on slowly afterwards.
Superintendent Joanne Gibson of the PSNI said: “As part of Operation Gallop, we are placing an emphasis on road safety where everyone has their role to play, whether that be horse riders or motorists.
“Understanding what to do when you meet a horse on the road is crucial. Speeding cars, engines being revved, loud music or horns being blasted, any of these can easily startle horses who sense danger and want to get away.
“Even for experienced riders and well-trained horses, it can be a really difficult situation to control as horses are large, powerful animals and their instinct, if they have cause for alarm, is to move away quickly.
“Worse still, if a collision occurs, it can have devastating consequences. That’s why it is so important to know what to do, and to be aware of the safe distance and speed required when passing a horse on the road.”
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