Horse-riders halted traffic in Borehamwood on Saturday morning as part of a national campaign to reduce the number of road accidents involving horses.

A group of 32 riders, including children on Shetland ponies, rode along Shenley Road in support of the National Horse and Road Safety Campaign.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging both riders and motorists to take simple precautions to reduce the risk of accidents involving horses.

Rachel Meeks, who organised Saturday's ride in Borehamwood, said the issue of road safety was particularly important in an area such as Hertsmere.

"We have had three major accidents in the Borehamwood area in recent years and two of those resulted in the horses having to be shot," she said.

"We just want people to be aware that there are horses on the road and, because they are not machines, you don't always know how they will react."

The campaign urges riders to acknowledge helpful drivers, to use signals to communicate, to wear reflective clothing and to take a road safety test.

Motorists are asked to pass horses slowly, giving them lots of space, to respect riders' signals and to expect to see a horse around every bend.

Saturday's event was the third annual ride through the centre of Borehamwood, and participants said they were pleased with the public response.

The campaign was organised by the British Horse Society and two magazines, Horse and Horse & Hound.Horse sense: the group take their safety message along Shenley Road on Saturday

October 17, 2001 11:36