Does a horse/pony/foal/youngster have to be wearing a bridle to walk on the road?

I'm pretty sure the highway code states you should never ride a horse on the road without a saddle or bridle but doesn't mention tack when leading.. though it also says 'before you take a horse onto a road, make sure you can control it.'
Personally I quite often lead my horse out on the roads in a headcollar only, but he is patent safety and has never spooked at anything.
If riding and leading I always have the led horse in a bridle though.
 
Surely it's only common sense to only take a horse on a public road in a bridle? Even the ploddiest can have a spook; what price safety and could you prove to your insurance company you were in control in just a headcollar if the worst happened?
 
MFH9 said:
Surely it's only common sense to only take a horse on a public road in a bridle? Even the ploddiest can have a spook; what price safety and could you prove to your insurance company you were in control in just a headcollar if the worst happened?
Click to expand...

Thats a fair comment but if a horse spooks and the handler is un-prepared surely a bridle will not help?

I dont want to start an argument with anyone here just a comment!!! * Be nice people!!* :)
 
I value my horse's safety completely, but I don't necessarily equate having a bridle on with having 'control'; I can and have competed xc (and won), and schooled to a high level on the flat in just a headcollar.. I ride using a bridle more as it is traditional that because I need it. I really don't think having a bridle on would make him any safer.

I also know a lot of people who ride in dually type halters, mostly training/competing endurance so not sure what people would think of that. Or hackamores?
 
Inky_and_Sunny said:
Interesting in hearing the definitive answer to this as my walks with my 2yo and getting closer and closer to the road :) :) :)
Click to expand...

My thinking exactly!! I take Oscar out in a dually and feel completly in control, even if he does walk very fast lol

I dont want to bit him cause I hate seeing youngsters yanked in the mouth!
 
michellev123 said:
My thinking exactly!! I take Oscar out in a dually and feel completly in control, even if he does walk very fast lol
Click to expand...

My girl doesn't pull at all but I am considering bridling her for walks as I would rather jab her in the teeth than her get hit by a car. I doubt it would come to that but I think it would make me more comfortable - a calm confident handler = a calm confident youngster. I currently walk her in a rope halter so she responds to poll/nose pressure but I sometimes wonder what would happen if she seriously went into reverse...
 
Inky_and_Sunny said:
My girl doesn't pull at all but I am considering bridling her for walks as I would rather jab her in the teeth than her get hit by a car. I doubt it would come to that but I think it would make me more comfortable - a calm confident handler = a calm confident youngster. I currently walk her in a rope halter so she responds to poll/nose pressure but I sometimes wonder what would happen if she seriously went into reverse...
Click to expand...

Could you not do what I did with my youngster, I took her out with a bridle over her head collar, and mainly used the head collar and just used the bridle if she needed it.
 
to turn out i have to go along a couple of hundred yards of quiet country road. i spoke to my insurers and they said horse must be in a bridle;) i would also rather my horse got a quick pull to the mouth than ended up in a dangerous situation with traffic. If he spooks, he could easily pull away from me in a panic in a headcollar - moveover i have to pass 2 mares that often rear and squeal at the fence at him, he usually doesnt react,but you never know. i use an extra long leadrope, threaded through the bit rings, with a highviz flashing wrap thingy on the end.

michellev123 - as for the horse spooking and you being unprepared - imho if you are leading along the road you should ALWAYS be prepared:)
 
No, there is no law making a bridle a legal requirement. When riding, it is still not law, but a recommendation.
 
As far as I remember, last time this subject was brought up (a few years ago, admittedly) it was stated by various people that their insurance companies insist that the horse is in a bridle whilst on the road, otherwise if something happens the handler/rider would be deemed to not be in sufficient control of his/her horse.

I may be wrong, but I always ensure my horse has a headcollar on with a bridle over the top, and a Newmarket chain with the rope attached to both headcollar and chain - that way, if she pulls whilst being led, she gets a jab in the nose before she gets a pull in the mouth.
 
Short answer is no they don't, not by any law. You can check with your insurance company, but so far I've used three that haven't had anything in their terms and conditions insisting on this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top