ONE horse was killed on Buckinghamshire roads last year as the toll of horse related road incidents continues to rise, according to new figures.

The British Horse Society (BHS) logged a total of 37 horse death across the south of England last year.

One of those deaths happened in Buckinghamshire. 

The equine charity's 'Horse i' app recorded 127 road incidents in the county - a big increase from the 65in 2021 as horse injuries rose.

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A scary incident happened last month when horse owner Kate Dawson from Ashley Green, was confronted by an aggressive driver on the A416 road.

She urged drivers to be more patient after one of her horses and its teenage rider were taken over by an aggressive driver.

She explained how the decimation of public bridleways in the last couple of decades meant horse riders were “forced out on the road.”

Another scary incident happened in Haw Lane, High Wycombe in November last year, when a crash involving two cars "nearly killed a group of horse riders on a blind bend".

Jane Calvert was riding with a small group of children when the crash happened.

Nine-year-old boy Bob fell of his pony onto his back and hurt his head as a result. Jane and the other children were fine but left shaken.

The BHS described their latest figures as "shocking" and "reflective of the significant equine road safety challenge we’re facing".

In spite of changes to the Highway Code aimed at protecting horses and riders, Buckinghamshire recorded 127 incidents last year, up from 65 in 2021.

Across the UK, the charity received details of more than 3,550 horse-related road incidents in 2022 - a 21% rise on the previous year.

Of these, 68 horses have died and 125 have been injured. 26 per cent of riders were victims to road rage or abuse.

BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox said: "Horses are still being killed and injured on our roads, riders continue to be seriously injured and too many drivers underestimate the importance of driving carefully around horses.

"This is detrimental to the safety of equestrians. You only have to look at the 68 horses who were tragically killed across the UK in 2022."

Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We of course support any campaign that promotes safe driving and road use including where those more vulnerable, such as horses and riders are concerned.

"We would urge motorists to familiarise themselves with the advice and guidance in the Highway Code around horses and riders and we work with local groups to put up safety signage advising people to pass horses slow and wide. We have also organised roadside events with Thames Valley Police at sites where incidents have occurred to do what we can to make sure drivers know about changes to the Highway Code.

“Safe driving practices are ultimately down to motorists – we do our bit to educate people and overall work hard to do what we can to ensure our roads are as safe as possible for all road users.”

For details of the BHS Dead Slow campaign visit: www.bhs.org.uk/deadslow