Aylesford horse riders speak out after Kent records 82 horse-related road incidents in 2025, the highest in South East England
Kent recorded the highest number of horse-related road incidents in the South East last year, new figures show. British Horse Society (BHS) data shows there were 82 incidents in Kent during 2025.
Now, Anne Rillie, 81, and her daughter Caroline Dorey, 52, from Aylesford, have spoken out about the dangers they have encountered on rural roads, where speeding traffic and close passes can have devastating consequences. Both women can recall frightening moments when vehicles have passed too closely and their horses have begun moving nervously sideways after being startled.
They said incidents like these can unfold in seconds, leaving riders struggling to keep control of powerful animals weighing hundreds of kilos. The pair believe many motorists underestimate how quickly a horse can react when frightened. Anne said: "People often forget a horse can be frightened by absolutely anything.
"A bird flying out of a hedge, somebody starting a lawnmower or a vehicle passing too close can make a horse move very suddenly.
Photo: Dee Lukasik
"The horse can move sideways as quickly as it can in any other direction.
"There are two brains involved - the horse's brain, which may panic, and the rider trying to keep everybody safe." Caroline added that modern vehicles can make it harder for drivers to judge both speed and distance. She said: "Cars are so comfortable now that people do not always realise how fast they are travelling or how close they are passing."
Figures published by the BHS show Kent recorded 82 horse-related road incidents in 2025, the highest number in South East England. Since 2016, riders in Kent have reported 524 road incidents involving horses to the charity, resulting in the deaths of five horses. Across the UK, 19,528 road incidents involving horses have been recorded over the same period.
Of those, 559 horses died and 964 were injured, with annual horse fatalities rising from 21 in 2016 to 59 in 2025.
The charity's figures also show that 78% of incidents happened because a driver passed too closely, while 83% involved vehicles travelling too fast. In response to the number of incidents being reported, the BHS launched its Dead Slow campaign, urging motorists to slow down and give horses more space on the roads.
Anne and Caroline support the campaign, which encourages motorists to leave at least two metres of space and to slow to at least 10mph when overtaking horses. Anne said: "A lot of drivers do not see any difference between a horse and a furry bicycle."
The Highway Code, updated in January 2022, tells drivers how to overtake horses safely.
It says: "Pass wide and slow when passing a horse and horse-drawn vehicle, at a maximum of 10mph and allowing at least two metres of space." When there is an obstruction, or traffic coming from the opposite direction, the Code says motorists should: "Wait behind the horse and do not overtake if it is unsafe or not possible to meet these clearances." Tim Brier, a spokesman for the British Horse Society, is urging motorists to follow Highway Code guidance.
He said the BHS has worked with Kent Police and other forces to educate motorists about safely passing horses and to improve understanding between riders and drivers sharing the road.
Photo: Dee Lukasik
He said: "A horse is a big, powerful living thing with a mind of its own, so you are never 100% in control."
Mr Brier said those on horseback also have a responsibility to help keep roads safe by making drivers aware of their intentions through eye contact, clear hand signals and high-visibility clothing where appropriate. He added: "We are all sharing the road together. Riders and drivers need to help each other."
When Anne moved to the area more than 40 years ago, life on the roads was very different. There were fewer cars, traffic moved more slowly and it was not unusual to see sheep being driven along local lanes.
She says riding out was a pleasure and remembers a time when she felt comfortable taking horses on almost any road in the area.
Anne, now 81, has been riding for most of her life. She remembers pestering her parents, alongside her sister, for riding lessons and dreaming of having a pony of their own.
The pair even tried saving their pocket money towards one. Eventually their parents gave in and bought a pony called Goldie. The much-loved mare stayed with the family for 28 years and became part of their lives for a generation.
Young Caroline also took her first lessons in the saddle on Goldie and soon caught her mother's passion for riding.
The dangers of collisions involving horses were highlighted earlier this year when a father, mother and their three-year-old daughter died after a pony and trap was involved in a crash[1] with a tipper truck in Boyle Way, East Peckham, on April 1.
Details of how the collision happened are still being investigated, but Francie Connors, 31, and his daughter Kathleen, known as Ka, died at the scene despite life-saving efforts. His wife Rita died in hospital on April 8 from injuries suffered in the crash. The pony also died.
And earlier this month (June) we reported how Ewa Larsson died after the horse she was walking along a rural, single-track road[2] was spooked when two dogs ran out from a nearby garden.
Ms Larsson held onto the reins, but as the horse sped up, she fell and was dragged along. While no vehicle was involved, it highlighted how easy it is for an animal to bolt when startled. BHS figures show reports of road rage and abuse involving riders have fallen from 40% of incidents in 2016 to 22% in 2025.
However, Caroline believes the figures may not tell the whole story.
She said: "There may be fewer incidents because fewer people are riding on roads now.
More riders are choosing enclosed areas because they feel safer there."