MOTORISTS URGED TO ‘HOLD THEIR HORSES!’ Equestrian groups explain their reasons for ‘road riding’ and how ensuring safety is everyone’s responsibility. B Y T E R R I PE R R I N
As the weather warms up and signs of summer appear across the province, you may notice more than wildflowers along our rural public roads. Horses and riders, eager to get out and enjoy some exercise, will become a more common sight. The arrival of nicer weather is both a cause for celebration and for concern because ‘road riding’ must be done with safety as the number one priority. “Consideration for the environment, increasing fuel costs, and lack of access to a truck and trailer have made road riding a favorable choice for many,” explains Sarah Allison, recreation director for Horse Council British Columbia (HCBC).
RIDERS’ RESPONSIBILITIES Responsibility for safe road access also falls upon equestrians. The ‘Three C’s of Trail Riding Etiquette: Common Sense, Courtesy, and Communication’ should also be practiced on public roads. Riders are urged to be aware of their surroundings, control their speed, and look ahead, especially on corners and hills. In most cases riders should travel in the same direction as the traffic because, according to traffic laws, they are considered to be no different than a vehicle or bicycle. Motorists, however, should recognize that in some cases this is not possible. Steep ditches, narrow shoulders, slippery footing, or an object or activity on one side of the road – such as a barking dog or construction work – may require the rider to guide their mount to the opposite side of the road to ensure their safety.
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ALBERTA BITS I SUMMER 2022
“Riders — and drivers of horse-drawn carriages — may need to be on the road to get from one farm to another, from a stable to a trailhead, or because the road itself forms one section of an established equestrian trail.” With the urbanization of our society as a whole, many road users have had little exposure to horses and other livestock they may encounter in the country. While horseback riders do play a role in ensuring their own safety — by staying on the side of the road, moving slowly, and wearing appropriate safety gear and hivisibility clothing — other road users have responsibilities, too.
