Riding horses on Australia’s roads
In many parts of the world, horses and livestock are still a common sight on the roads. As horse riders, we know first hand the challenge of this, as animals can be unpredictable and can cause accidents. Many stock routes follow main roads so the exposure of horses, livestock and animals to vehicles is unavoidable under some circumstances. As such, inexperienced or untrained horses should not be placed into such situations. Only horses proven to be calm in traffic should be ridden on the road.
The regulations around horses and livestock on our roads and stock routes share similarities and differences state to state, so this must be taken into consideration.
Did you know?
Under Australian Road Rules horses are included under the definition of a vehicle. This means most minor regulatory offences apply equally to both car drivers and horse riders, including not using a mobile phone or riding under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
QLD road rules for horse riders:
- Can ride/operate horse-drawn vehicle on any road unless signage expressly prohibits it.
- Must obey all road rules that also apply to vehicle drivers, including traffic signage and riding on the left hand-side.
- Must give way to pedestrians on footpaths/nature strips
- Must not ride more than 2 abreast unless overtaking or droving.
- Must not lead more than 1 animal on the road, unless issued a council permit (now this one is a bit odd, because when I’ve asked some councils, they haven’t a clue)
- Must not ride on the road if a practical off-road option is available like a shoulder, footpath or nature strip.
- Must dismount to use pedestrian crossings.
- Must not allow droppings to become a hazard for road-users.
- Horse-drawn vehicles must have effective brakes and when used at night or during poor visibility, appropriate lights and reflectors. You do not need registration for horse-drawn vehicles.
For more information: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/other/animals
NSW road rules for horse riders:
- Can ride/operate horse-drawn vehicle on any road unless signage expressly prohibits it.
- Must obey all road rules that also apply to vehicle drivers, including traffic signage and riding on the left hand-side.
- Can ride on footpaths and nature strips, unless signed otherwise, but must give way to pedestrians.
- Must not ride more than 2 abreast and be within 1.5m of each other, unless overtaking or droving.
For more information: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/roadsafety/road-users/drivers/animals
VIC road rules for horse riders:
- If you are under the age of 18, you must wear a helmet when riding on a horse on a road, footpath or any road-related area.
- Can ride on footpaths and nature strips, unless signed otherwise, but must give way to pedestrians.
- If you are riding beside another rider, you must not ride more than 1.5 metres apart.
- Horse-drawn vehicles when used at night or during poor visibility, must have appropriate lights and reflectors.
SA road rules for horse riders:
- Can ride on footpaths and nature strips, unless signed otherwise, but must give way to pedestrians.
- If you are riding beside another rider, you must not ride more than 1.5 metres apart.
- Horse-drawn vehicles when used at night or during poor visibility, must have appropriate lights and reflectors.
For more information: https://www.dit.sa.gov.au/towardszerotogether/safe_road_users/horses
WA road rules for horse riders:
- Can ride on footpaths and nature strips, unless signed otherwise, but must give way to pedestrians.
- Horses can be ridden on the shoulder of a road, or to the left of any continuous edge line, in the same direction as traffic.
- Must dismount to use pedestrian crossings.
- Give hand signals when changing direction.
- A rider cannot lead more than one other horse.
- If you are leading a horse while walking, you are considered a pedestrian and must obey laws applying to pedestrians.
- If you are leading a horse, use the path or nature strip if provided. If a path or nature strip is not available, then walk facing oncoming traffic.
- Horse-drawn vehicles when used at night or during poor visibility, must have appropriate lights and reflectors.
For more information: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/road-rules-horse-riders-and-animal-drawn-vehicles
Right of way
In QLD all livestock have right of way on the road network and QLD livestock producers may be protected from legal liability in the case that one of their animals escapes onto a road (Searle v Wallbank). But incidents are assessed on a case-by-case basis and there is still a duty of care, with many councils imposing regional regulations around animal containment.
In NSW, in accordance with the Local Land Services Regulation (2014), the driver of a mechanically powered vehicle must give way to stock and to all other animals and any vehicle accompanying stock in a stock zone.
In Victoria, when a ‘Give Way To Stock’ sign is displayed, the driver must slow down to a speed where they can give way or stop if necessary to avoid hitting an animal. Other states also share similar recommendations for drivers.
For more information: https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/2014-01-01/sl-2014-0001
https://www.aant.com.au/news/animals-road
The reality
But the reality is, at this stage there are no mandated speed limits for passing animals, especially droving animals and accompanying drovers, and driver education is sorely lacking. Many drovers are calling for this to change to improve the safety of animal and road-users alike. As a rider that regularly uses roads, I’ve had my fair share of “incidents” and believe a specified speed limit and minimum passing gap would improve the safety of all parties involved. Improving driver education on the correct behaviour around livestock is vital, especially in a country were drought is a part of farming and stock routes are a necessity.
So, when slow traveling along the stock routes keep in mind that you will encounter road-users along your journey. Remember this when selecting your mount and I’d always recommend wearing reflective Hi-Vis. But don’t be put off, stock routes are designed with wider than usual verges to accommodate the large mobs of traveling, grazing stock, making them well suited for slow travel on horseback.
