ROAD RULES WHEN RIDING A HORSE...
In Australia horse riders on public roads must follow the same rules as a driver of a car, because the law considers horses to be vehicles.
Riding animals...
If you are riding an animal on the road (e.g. a horse), the animal is considered to be a vehicle.
A rider of an animal must obey the same road rules as other drivers. But, there are also some road rules that apply to riders of animals.
- Riders must be below the 0.05 blood-alcohol limit while on horseback
- Riders cannot touch their mobile phones as per new 2023 VicRoads rules
- Riders have to abide by all traffic signs and the speed limit at all times.
- If the rider is under the age of 18, they must wear a helmet when riding on a horse on a road, footpath or any road-related area.
- A rider is liable if a horse’s droppings (urine or faeces) on the road causes a problem for other road users. The driver or rider is responsible for removing any droppings that fall on the road.
- You can ride an animal on footpaths and nature strips, unless it is specifically prohibited. But, you must give way to pedestrians.
- If you are riding beside another rider, you can't ride more than 1.5 metres apart.
- Horses can be ridden on the shoulder of the road, or to the left of any continuous edge line, in the same direction of traffic.
- Horses can be ridden across roads but must give way to all traffic on the road.
- Horses must not be ridden across a road on a ‘pedestrian crossing’ or ‘children’s crossing’ –the rider must dismount and walk the horse across.
- Riders must give hand signals when changing direction.
- A horse is not considered a vehicle if you are leading it.
- The driver of a motor vehicle or bicycle must not lead an animal, including by tethering the animal to the motor vehicle or bicycle.
- A person who is a passenger in, or on any part of, a motor vehicle must not lead an animal while the motor vehicle is moving.
- You do not need a driver’s license to drive a carriage on the road, and the vehicle does not need registration.
- If you are using a vehicle that is being pulled by an animal (e.g. a horse carriage) at night, you must have:
- two white lights visible for 200m on the front (one on each side)
- two red lights visible for 200m on the back (one on each side)
- red reflectors on each side of the vehicle towards the back.
The breaking of any of these laws can result in heavy fines or even jail time, so it is very important to know what is allowed. While these laws are nationwide, your local councils and shires may have extra laws that apply to where you live.
The key road rules and reference numbers regarding animals are:
223 - Using lights when riding an animal-drawn vehicle at night or in hazardous weather conditions
289 - Driving on a nature strip
297 - Driver to have proper control of a vehicle etc
300 - Use of mobile phones (new 2023)
301 - Leading an animal while driving a vehicle
302 - Rider of an animal on a footpath or nature strip to give way to pedestrians
303A - Horse riding helmets to be worn by riders under 18
303 - Riding an animal alongside more than 1 other rider
402 - Giving way to stock
403 - Requirement to travel at a safe speed near stock
404 - Requirement to stop at a stock crossing
DOWNLOAD THE CURRENT STATUTORY ROAD SAFETY RULES TO FULLY AQUAINT YOURSELF WITH THE ABOVE KEY ROAD RULES FOR RIDING HORSES ON THE ROAD...
LINK: https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/road-safety-road-rules-2017/020
SHARING THE ROAD...
Horses can spook easily, and they're sensitivity to the unknown can spark a powerful unpredictability in them, putting the animal, rider and others using the roadway in potential danger.
Rider Tips...
Steady as she goes - always ensure your horse is well mannered enough and has sufficient exposure to cars and other motorized vehicles before taking them out on the road.
Visibility - make sure you can be seen. Increase your visibility with a reflective vest or jacket or even a reflective helmet cover. Additionally make your horse seen with a reflective quarter sheet and accessories.
Keep calm - domesticated horses are incredibly intelligent animals that have the ability to read human emotions. If you're nervous, your horse may pick on this and could behave unpredictably if you panic. Keep your horse calm and steady by keeping yourself calm.
Driver Tips...
Give them room - don't get too close to a horse while driving your car. Slow to a manageable speeds to pass the horse & rider if it's safe to do so. If there's traffic, calmly wait until a break comes along so you can pass without causing horse or rider to become startled and always remember that they are entitled to use the road too.
Slow and steady - this means braking and accelerating slowly and calmly so as not to ignite their unpredictable nature with the sound of screeching tyres or a loud exhaust.
Turn off your stereo - avoid passing a horse with your stereo turned up too load. Loud music, like screeching tyres or honking horns, can cause horses to spook easily.
This yellow warning sign indicates you are travelling in an area that is frequented by horses and their riders. Use extra caution while travelling in these areas, especially if there is limited vision on these roads.
Do you know what to do if you encounter a horse on the road?
The answer might surprise you!!!
