“We need to educate drivers”: Rider’s plea after hit and run

A Lancashire rider is calling for equestrians to spread the word to drivers on the risks of passing horses inappropriately

Charlotte Mulvey, 24, was leading her six-year-old rescue horse, World Horse Welfare Blu-Boi, down a quiet lane in the Saddleworth area on Friday 19 February while accompanied by her friend, Olivia, and her two-year-old gelding, Casper. A driver approached them at speed, ignoring Charlotte’s requests that he slow down, colliding with both women’s legs as he passed and pushing them into their horses. Charlotte says the driver fled the scene at speed, leaving both horses and their handlers very shaken up.

Charlotte tells H&R: “We were taking the horses for an in-hand hack and had to go down a busy main road as usual to reach our local bridleway. On the way back we decided to take a quieter lane, which is where we met the driver. There was a wall on the right and parked cars on the other side of the road, so we asked him to wait. We knew he’d seen us, but we could tell he wasn’t stopping. There was nowhere for us to go to get out of the way, and Olivia and I were forced into the horse’s sides.”

Charlotte says that roadwork is a regular part of both horses’ routines, who are normally bombproof. She continues: “We’re both bruised and the horses have lost confidence. Blue has never had a problem on the roads, but he’s massively shaken up. He’s far more alert and sharp, and looks at everything. We’ve been taking him to watch the cars from a distance a couple of times a day to improve his confidence, and wearing as much high-vis as possible to make sure we stand out.”

Thankfully, a witness saw the incident unfold and the driver had a private number plate that was easy to memorise. The pair reported what had happened to the BHS and local police who, they say, have been very helpful.

“We were lucky that someone witnessed what happened,” she adds. “I would definitely recommend that every rider wears a hat cam to provide evidence should they need it. Make sure you’re always lit up like a Christmas tree with plenty of high-vis, too. Any rider in a similar situation should definitely let the BHS know, and report to the police within 24 hours.”

Rather than stoke up a ‘witch hunt’ for the driver, Charlotte wants to spread the word and ensure more drivers understand the importance of passing wide and slow.

“Even the most confident-looking horse can spook, and you can’t tell a horse’s history or personality just by looking at him. A frightened horse moves quickly and can do serious damage. By slowing down and giving horses a wide berth, everyone stays safe.”