Ride Safe

What the BHS says about the Riding and Road safety test: "Taken by more than 4,000 candidates a year, the BHS Riding and Road Safety Test helps educate riders in road safety in order to minimise the risk involved when riding on the roads. The test is available to all riders from 12 years of age and is supported by the Department for Transport. It is probably the only test that any rider will undertake that has the potential to save not only their own life but that of their horse and other road users as well. Candidates do not have to be BHS members.

Award in BHS Riding Horses Safely on the Public

• Unit 1 – Principles of Riding Horses on the Highway
• Unit 2 – Ride a Horse in an Enclosed Area and on the Highway

There are three parts to the test itself:

• The Theory Test - This is usually a written test with questions covering the Highway Code, the Riding and Roadcraft Manual, and the rules of riding on the roads.
• The Simulated Road Route - This part takes place in off road conditions. It is designed to test the rider’s ability to ride appropriately on the road. This includes observations, signalling, manoeuvring and negotiating a series of hazards that they may encounter on the roads.
• The Road Route - Once the candidate has demonstrated an understanding of road safety in the first two sections they can attempt a set route on the roads to demonstrate their competence in dealing with vehicles and other hazards”.