We are vulnerable and silent.

We have no steel armour to protect us, no horn to sound to herald our presence, no engine to rev.

We are flesh and blood.

We travel slowly at 5mph and we share the roads with the ever-increasing metal encased traffic on our busy country lanes. 

We are the horse-riders you meet most days.

There have recently been a number of extremely upsetting near-misses on the lanes in Mendip simply because vehicles were travelling at the wrong speed around our narrow and winding roads.  Fortunately no one was killed or injured but a steel car hitting the soft body of a horse will always result in horrendous damage to the rider and horse, while the motorist is often unharmed but there can be a tragic outcome for both parties.

It only adds about SIX SECONDS to your journey to pass wide and slow If you meet a rider when driving. There is usually no need to stop unless asked to do so. This might be because the rider has sensed the horse is worried and unpredictable about something; probably simply a paper bag in the verge but enough for it to jump in front of your car. 

To those drivers, who hurtle along, oblivious of what is around the next corner – Please, Please - Think Horse.

We can hear your engine as you race towards us but you can’t hear us shout and there is not always a gateway to nip into. 

The many horse riders of Mendip, living in its many villages would like to say a huge thank you to all the lovely drivers who do take care when driving past horses – it is greatly appreciated.