Southern ambulance service teams up with equestrian charity to improve road safety

An ambulance service in the south of England is joining forces with its local BHS group to help improve road safety and reduce the risk of injury to horse riders

Between 2019–2021 South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) responded to over 2,000 incidents involving horses and horse riders across Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Incidents attended include road traffic incidents, falls from horses in public areas or on private premises, and riders having a medical emergency while out riding. The most common injuries sustained in these incidents were trauma to the neck, shoulder, spine, head and pelvis, all of which can have serious and long-lasting implications.

That’s why the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is joining forces with the British Horse Society ­– South Region on an invaluable operation named ‘Project Pacer’. Its aim is to reduce the number of incidents involving horses and riders and reduce the chances of injury, in turn protecting the livelihood of equestrians and reducing demand on emergency services and the wider healthcare system. The project will cover topics including dealing with air ambulances, how to respond to emergency vehicles, first aid awareness, rider safety and guidance for motorists and cyclists.

“Our primary objective is to make our roads safer for everyone, but this project extends beyond our highways,” said Driving education manager of the South Central Ambulance Service, Mike Elkins. “Over the coming months we’ll be sharing advice for motorists, cyclists and horse riders on how to keep themselves and each other safe. As part of Project Pacer, we’ll also provide guidance on what to do in the event of an emergency, whether on the roads, in public rural areas or on private premises, and advise on how best to assist the emergency services when they arrive.”

The majority of recorded incidents occurred during the summer months when there are more people using the road network and visiting rural areas, and it’s also a prime time for riders to hit their local bridleway network – therefore the project is hoping to make some traction over the summer season and beyond.

Speaking of their collaboration, the British Horse Society Regional Manager for the south of England, Hannah Marsh, added: “It’s fantastic to be able to work with SCAS on this project. Anyone who spends time around horses appreciates that there are risks involved and if we can join forces to share some important messages so that equestrians and other road users look out for each other more, we’ll be helping keep each other safer and reducing the potential burden on our emergency services.

“I’m particularly keen to get some information out to equestrians on how to deal with an emergency should one arise. The better prepared we can make our community, the safer we will be.”