The PSNI has teamed up with the British Horse Society (BHS) to launch Operation Gallop, a new initiative aimed at raising awareness among all road users about how to share roads safely with horses and riders.

Superintendent Joanne Gibson emphasised the shared responsibility of road safety. "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."

She warned of the potential for serious incidents. "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 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."

Superintendent Gibson also highlighted the issue of straying horses. "Recently, we have also had incidents with horses that have strayed onto the road. I cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring fields and enclosures are secure, and checked regularly to guard against this happening. We know the consequences have the potential to be devastating for both horses and motorists alike."

Craig Hills, a County Down rider with nearly 30 years of experience, shared his own frightening encounter. "Even when riding and having full hi-viz on, people don't seem to slow down. A couple of months ago, I had an incident where a car sped past the horse, went through a puddle and splashed the horse. The horse fell over and I fell off and the driver sped off and left me lying on the road. Luckily, both me and the horse had minor injuries, but it shows horses can be scared by the simplest of things."

He urged drivers to exercise caution: "Take your time, give everyone space and care." He also advised riders to ensure visibility and ride in suitable conditions. "It's about sharing the roads and giving everyone the respect and safety they deserve." Roseanna Andrew from Belfast recounted a near-fatal incident in the Lisburn area. "We had our hi-viz vests on, plus my horse had a bright yellow bridle on so we were visible. We could hear a sports car coming," she said. "Thankfully, we got pulled in as tight as we could and both had very sensible horses who didn't move, but the car came round the bend at such a high speed that they just missed us and the driver continued driving off harder past us. If we hadn't heard it in time, or if we had horses that were more easily scared, the likelihood would of been that there would of been a fatality that day, if not multiple."

Roseanna pleaded with drivers for patience and space. "Please, just be patient, give horses space and time. There is little choice in Northern Ireland for off-road places for horses to go, less every year it seems and, like a dog they need exercise. In a lot of cases, most people are left with nowhere else to go but the roads with their horses. It's important because it's not just us that will get killed, it's likely you, the driver too, as a half-tonne animal going through your windscreen isn't something you'll likely walk away from. It's just not worth the risk to save a few minutes on your journey."

The PSNI and BHS have issued the following advice for drivers encountering horses on the road: slow down, keep your distance, prepare to stop, and avoid actions that may spook the horse such as revving the engine or sounding the horn. Watch for signals from the rider and pass slowly (no faster than 10mph), giving the horse at least a car's width (about two meters). Riders are encouraged to wear high-visibility clothing and ride in good daylight conditions.

Chief Inspector Celeste Simpson of PSNI Road Policing added: "Everyone who uses the road has a responsibility to do so safely. Riders want to be clearly seen and should be wearing hi-visibility clothing. Our appeal is that everyone is considerate of every other road user. If we all do this, we are all playing our part in keeping everyone on the roads safe."

Susan Spratt, British Horse Society Manager for Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland, said: "Horse riders are vulnerable road users and, with few places available for them to ride off-road they, unfortunately, have to exercise horses on the roads, which can be challenging. Our statistics show that passing too close and too fast are the main causes of collisions on the roads. No one wants to injure a horse or rider, with devastating results for all parties. We appeal to all road users to please follow the guidelines, be patient and show empathy to horses and riders."

She also urged horse owners to secure their fields to prevent horses straying onto roads.

Further information on Operation Gallop can be found at www.operationgallop.org.uk/. The Highway Code for Northern Ireland also provides guidance on sharing roads safely: www.nidirect.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-09/the-official-highway-code-for-northern-ireland-2020.pdf

The BHS encourages riders in Northern Ireland to report all incidents involving horses on roads via their Horse i reporting app: www.bhs.org.uk/go-riding-and-learn/record-an-incident/.