Many People believe that when an accident occurs between a horse and car that the fatalaity is always on the side of the horse, but is this the case?

Take a look at this photo, taken after an accident involving a horse and car. The question that should be asked isn't 'what died' but more the case of 'how many died?'

Picture courtesy of Thames Vally Police

Many accidents could be avoided if drivers would slow down and leave more room when passing a horse and rider. However, often motorists do not see the horse and rider in time to act. Many riders only wear high-visibility clothing when light is poor, but even in good light conditions wearing high-visibility clothing means that drivers will see horses and riders sooner. On a bright winter's day when the sun is low in the sky, drivers can be dazzled and could find it difficult to spot a horse and rider on the roads. Even in the middle of summer, a road with overhanging trees will create a dappled shade which acts as a very effective camouflage. Being seen a few seconds sooner could prevent an accident such as the ones you are about to read.

Statistics

The figures below show you exactly how many accidents occur on Britians roads, the table below just deminstrates the severity of the problem.

Lisa Hodges, a 12 year old girl was riding a horse that was hit by a speeding motorist in Welham Green, Herts. The driver was speeding within a 30 mph zone, when the horse was struck. Fortunately both Horse and rider were not seriously hurt.

Pilling, Lancs. A Horse was hit by a speeding motorbike. The accident happened when a van driver was carefully overtaking a rider before the motorbike came at speed towards them. The Van driver swerved, but the motorbike ploughed straight into the horse. The horse was later put down and the rider taken to hospital with a broken arm.

Jane Orme, a 55 year old nurse was riding her friends horse on a stretch of the old A303 at Hunters Lodge, nr Wincanton, when, it was believed, she was thrown from the animal which witnesses said was spooked by a vehicle. She later died in Southampton General Hopsital from serious head injuries.

Brian Cooper was walking two of his shire horses along a verge from their field to their stables in Ramsdell, Hampshire, when a car mounted the verge and struck the two horses. One of the horses, a six year old, was thrown over the roof of the car and had to be destroyed at the scene of the accident, after sustaining serious injuries. The second shire, a two year old colt was also injured after being struck by the vehicle, which was later found to be stolen and travelling at 80 mph when striking the horses. Mr Cooper was able to avoid any injury, but was deeply shocked and saddened by this horrific incident.

Katie Coxhead, 14, and Carly Rochester, seven, were out riding their horses in Wanborough village, Wiltshire on the afternoon of April 11th 2001, when a teenage driver came around a bend, in a 30 mph zone and allegedly veered off the road towards the two horses. One of the horses, Blue, was catapulted onto the car, whilst the other, Riley, bolted and was re-captured later, slightly injured. Both Riders sustained head and leg injuries, whilst Blue, a 14.2hh Event Pony, suffered severe injuries, including a chipped pelvic bone, which needed more than 50 stictches and a further 50 staples.

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