Rules about animals (47 to 58)

Rules about animals, including horse-drawn vehicles, horse riders and other animals.

Horse-drawn vehicles (rules 47 to 48)

Rule 47

Horse-drawn vehicles used on the highway should be operated and maintained in accordance with standards set out in the Department for Transport’s Code of Practice for Horse-Drawn Vehicles. This Code lays down the requirements for a road driving assessment and includes a comprehensive list of safety checks to ensure that a carriage and its fittings are safe and in good working order. The standards set out in the Road Driving Assessment may be required to be met by a Local Authority if an operator wishes to obtain a local authority licence to operate a passenger-carrying service.

Rule 48

Safety equipment and clothing. All horse-drawn vehicles should have two red rear reflectors. It is safer not to drive at night but if you do, a light showing white to the front and red to the rear MUST be fitted.

Horse riders (rules 49 to 55)

Rule 49

Safety equipment. Children under the age of 14 MUST wear a helmet which complies with the Regulations. It MUST be fastened securely. Other riders should also follow these requirements. These requirements do not apply to a child who is a follower of the Sikh religion while wearing a turban.

Rule 50

Other clothing. You should wear

boots or shoes with hard soles and heels
light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight
reflective clothing if you have to ride at night or in poor visibility.

Rule 50: Help yourself to be seen

Rule 51

At night. It is safer not to ride on the road at night or in poor visibility, but if you do, make sure you wear reflective clothing and your horse has reflective bands above the fetlock joints. A light which shows white to the front and red to the rear should be fitted, with a band, to the rider’s right arm and/or leg/riding boot. If you are leading a horse at night, carry a light in your right hand, showing white to the front and red to the rear, and wear reflective clothing on both you and your horse. It is strongly recommended that a fluorescent/reflective tail guard is also worn by your horse.

Riding

Rule 52

Before you take a horse or horse drawn vehicle on to the road, you should

ensure all tack fits well and is in good condition
make sure you can control the horse.

If you are an inexperienced horse rider or have not ridden for a while, consider taking the Ride Safe Award from the British Horse Society. The Ride Safe Award provides a foundation for any horse rider to be safe and knowledgeable when riding in all environments but particularly on the road. For more information, see www.bhs.org.uk

Always ride with other, less nervous horses if you think that your horse will be nervous of traffic. Never ride a horse without both a saddle and bridle.

Rule 53

Before riding off or turning, look behind you to make sure it is safe, then give a clear arm signal.

When riding on the road, you should

keep to the left
keep both hands on the reins unless you are signalling
keep both feet in the stirrups
not carry another person
not carry anything which might affect your balance or get tangled up with the reins
keep a horse you are leading to your left
move in the direction of the traffic flow in a one-way street
never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends.

Rule 54

You MUST NOT take a horse onto a footpath or pavement, and you should not take a horse onto a cycle track. Use a bridleway where possible. Equestrian crossings may be provided for horse riders to cross the road and you should use these where available (see Rule 27). You should dismount at level crossings where a ‘horse rider dismount’ sign is displayed.

Rule 55

Avoid roundabouts wherever possible. If you use them, you should

keep to the left and watch out for vehicles crossing your path to leave or join the roundabout
signal right when riding across exits to show you are not leaving
signal left just before you leave the roundabout.

Other animals (rules 56 to 58)

Rule 56

Dogs. Do not let a dog out on the road on its own. Keep it on a short lead when walking on the pavement, road or path shared with cyclists or horse riders.

Rule 57

When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.

Rule 58

Animals being herded. These should be kept under control at all times. You should, if possible, send another person along the road in front to warn other road users, especially at a bend or the brow of a hill. It is safer not to move animals after dark, but if you do, then wear reflective clothing and ensure that lights are carried (white at the front and red at the rear of the herd).

Author's Explanation

Rules About Animals on the Road Explained (Rules 47–58)

Animals on the road require special care because their behaviour can be unpredictable and they may react quickly to traffic, noise or sudden movements. The Highway Code provides guidance for horse riders, horse-drawn vehicles and people responsible for animals to help reduce risks for everyone using the road.

Horse riders and drivers of horse-drawn vehicles should make sure their equipment is safe, their animals are under control and they are visible to other road users. Extra precautions are needed during darkness or poor visibility, including the use of reflective clothing and appropriate lighting.

Drivers and pedestrians also have responsibilities around animals. Vehicles should pass horses carefully, dogs should be controlled near roads, and animals being transported or herded must not create unnecessary danger for other road users.

Real-Life Examples

Example 1: A horse rider approaching a busy road wears reflective clothing and ensures the horse has suitable reflective equipment before travelling in poor visibility.

Example 2: A driver sees a horse rider ahead and slows down, leaving enough space and avoiding sudden movements that could frighten the horse.

Example 3: A dog owner walking beside a shared path keeps the dog on a short lead to avoid affecting cyclists or horse riders using the same route.

Example 4: A person transporting a dog in a car uses a suitable restraint so the animal cannot distract the driver or be injured during sudden braking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do horse riders need to wear safety equipment?

Children under 14 must wear an approved safety helmet when riding. Other riders should also follow these safety recommendations to reduce the risk of serious injury.

How should drivers pass horses on the road?

Drivers should slow down, give horses plenty of space and avoid actions such as sounding the horn or accelerating suddenly, which may startle the animal.

Can horse riders use pavements?

No. Horse riders must not use footpaths or pavements. Where available, they should use suitable routes such as bridleways and designated equestrian crossings.

Should dogs be controlled near roads?

Yes. Dogs should not be allowed to run freely on roads and should be kept on a short lead when walking near traffic or shared paths.

How should animals be transported in vehicles?

Animals should be properly restrained using suitable equipment such as a pet carrier, dog cage, guard or harness to prevent distraction and injury.