To coincide with Road Safety week, our Horse Insurance team have united with award-winning high-visibility (hi-vis) LED manufacturers Equi-Light to help raise the importance of the need to wear his-vis.
When riding on or off the road, wearing his-vis clothing is more than just a thoughtful safety measure, it can be a potentially life-saving choice. Please note, we would not recommend going out at night or in poor visibility, in accordance with Rule 51 of the Highway Code.
Wearing hi-vis allows car drivers, dog walkers, runners, cyclists and fellow horse riders to spot you from a greater distance.
Did you know?
Wearing a hi-vis ensures pilots can see you up to half a mile sooner*, giving them time to avoid flying too close. This hi-vis needs to be visible from above, for example, exercise or quarter sheets.
It also means in the unfortunate event of a fall while out hacking, wearing hi-vis can make all the difference – giving you increased chances of receiving help promptly.
What to look for when purchasing hi-vis clothing and equestrian accessories
To maximise safety and visibility, consider the following tips when choosing hi-vis:
Minimum essential items
- For Riders: A hi-vis jacket or tabard.
- For Horses: Leg bands.
Enhance Visibility with LED Lights
Alongside the British Horse Society, we also recommend riders and their horses wear LED lights where possible.
LED lights are a great complement to hi-vis clothing. Equi-Light recommends placing lights on your horse’s shoulders and flanks to help emphasise width. It’s important horses wear hi-vis and LED items, if you do unfortunately end up parting ways, having his-vis on the horse means they can also be spotted.
Colour Matters
According to Equi-Light, different colours are more effective in varying environments. For example:
- During autumn, orange or yellow might blend with foliage.
- In winter, bright yellows can stand out against grey skies.
Think about your riding environment and choose colours that contrast sharply with the background.
Standards and Certification
Look for garments certified to recognised standards for optimal safety:
- CE Ratings: All LED products and lights need CE rate markings to be sold in the UK and EU.
Certified items are rigorously tested to ensure visibility in various conditions and safety for the wearer.
Additional Accessories
Equi-Light recommends additional accessories such as their Clip Lights. These are a great product for both horse and riders to start their LED light journey with.
Evidenced-Based Safety
As part of efforts to improve rider safety, a report commissioned by the Transport Research Laboratory for the British Horse Society highlighted two key recommendations for visibility:
- Wear Lights Whenever Possible Riders and their horses are more visible with LED lights, especially in dim or changing light conditions.
- Choose Appropriate Hi-Vis Clothing Reflective clothing in contrasting colours increases visibility in different environments, ensuring you stand out whether on the road or countryside trails.
By taking these steps, you not only enhance your safety but also contribute to a more secure riding environment for all uses – on and off roads.
Whether you’re riding through woodlands or open fields, being proactive with your visibility can make all the difference. Invest in high-quality hi-vis gear, consider your surroundings, and always prioritise safety.
Helpful tips to stay safe on the road
- Familiarise yourself with the Highway Code rules to make sure you follow the guidance on how you should behave on the road and interact with other road users
- Wear his-vis and LED equipment, on both you and the horse - which can be seen from above as well as from the front, rear and side
- Take the BHS Ride Safe Award
- Remember to use the appropriate hand signals to make other road users aware of your intentions to manoeuvre
Be responsible
- Tell somebody where you are going and how long you think you will be out - if you don’t return, they can raise the alarm
Take a mobile phone and make sure it is charged up before you go - remember, it's not safe to use your phone when on the roads, this should be for use in emergencies
- Report any incidents of dangerous or irresponsible driving to the BHS and the police
The Highway Code
The Highway Code was updated on 29 January 2022. The BHS have worked hard over the last three years; lobbying and collaborating with Cycling UK, DVSA, Living Streets and the Department for Transport (DfT) to suggest the much-needed Highway Code improvements and to represent equestrians in the review.
Visit the Gov.uk website for more information on the changes to the Highway Code.
- Vehicles should pass horses at no more than 10mph and must allow at least 2 metres of space when passing
- Hierarchy of road users – pedestrians are listed as the most vulnerable road user, followed by horses and cyclists. Irrespective of method of transport, those who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.
- Feral and semi-feral horses on Exmoor, Dartmoor and the New Forest are now included
The Hierarchy Of Road Users
The updated Highway Code introduces a hierarchy of road users, prioritising those most at risk, including horse riders. Drivers must slow to under 10 mph and leave at least 2m of space when overtaking horses or horse-drawn vehicles. They should exercise extra caution in poor weather or low light and avoid cutting across horses at junctions. These changes highlight drivers’ responsibility to protect vulnerable road users, ensuring safer conditions for equestrians on the roads.
About SEIB
SEIB Insurance Brokers are specialists in insurance for Horses, Horsebox Insurance and Horse Trailer Insurance. We are able to provide flexible policies to suit individual client needs and provide advice on what cover is needed.
