Duty of Care and Accident Prevention

 

As in all walks of life accidents will occasionally happen but many may be avoided by following the guidelines below.

 

Duty of Care and Accident Prevention

  • As in all walks of life accidents will occasionally happen that many may be avoided by following the guidelines below
  • Never put a horse or pony into an environment which it may find alien.
  • Look well ahead and remember that what you miss and what your horse sees, could be the start of a problem.
  • Before attending a group event e.g. rally, show, ensure that your horse is happy driving with other turnouts.
  • When driving in company never move off adjacent to another horse being put to without checking that the other driver is happy for you to do so and leave sufficient distance from the vehicle in front to permit change of pace or direction.
  • After descending a slope remember that all turnouts behind must be clear of the slope before anyone increases pace.
  • Always stop in a space which allows you to exit easily at any time, especially applicable to groups.
  • Always approach a ridden horse with extreme care.
  • Pass pedestrians and other horses, ridden or driven, carefully not too close or fast.
  • Avoid driving on the highway after dusk. If this cannot be avoided reflective clothing and carriage stickers are essential.
  • Vehicles on the highway must have red, rear reflectors at all times and show white light to the front and red light to the rear between dusk and dawn (Road Traffic Lighting Regulations 1989)
  • All harness and vehicles must be in sound condition, fit the horse pony and be suitable for the activity/terrain.
  • Brakes are not compulsory on horse-drawn vehicles but if fitted ,they must be in working order (Road Traffic Act 1988)
  • The driving bridle must not be removed whilst the horse is still attached to the carriage.
  • Your whip is an aid which should be in your hand and not in the whip socket.
  • Never tie a turnout to another turnout.
  • The horse will not be tethered or tied up while still attached to the carriage
  • When the horse is in harness and attached to the carriage, a driver will be on the box seat and in control of the reins at all times.
  • An active groom or passenger should be carried in the vehicle at all times.
  •  If the driver dismounts then a groom must be in control of the horse by holding the head by means of a lead rope attached to the bit ring or head collar or by holding the reins close to the horses head .
  • No passengers will be in the carriage unless the driver is on the box seat and in control of the horse.
  • Driving/long reining the horse whilst walking beside the carriage is not considered suitable control except when working horse-drawn agricultural implements
British Driving Society

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MON – FRI
10:00am – 4:00pm

SAT
Closed

SUN
We are out Driving

Telephone

01284-630591

Hoste House, Whiting St, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1NR

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