Founded in 1947, the British Horse Society (BHS) is the UK’s largest and most influential equestrian charity. It is dedicated to enhancing the lives of horses and their carers through to delivering impact across Horse Care and Welfare, Access, Safety, Education, and Participation.
A membership-based organisation, the BHS now supports over 124,500 members. Its core vision is a society where every horse is respected, protected, and enjoyed by knowledgeable, caring people.
Equine road safety has reached a critical turning point as national concern continues to grow. Alarmingly, British Horse Society figures for 2024 reveal 3,118 recorded road incidents involving horses, resulting in the tragic loss of 58 animals.
The British Horse Society invites visitors to The National Equine Show a vital session on the Saracen Horse Feeds Inspiration Stage on Saturday, 28 February. Titled “A Conversation on Road Safety,” the discussion will highlight the impactful Dead Slow campaign and its mission to improve driver education. The panel brings together industry leaders, including Alan Hiscox (BHS Director of Safety), professional 5* rider Simon Grieve, and trailblazing Olympic Medallist Jeanette Brakewell.
You can show your support for equestrian safety – look for the BHS donation buckets around the show or find out more about becoming a BHS member.
Supporting the British Horse Society helps sustain crucial campaigns:
Safety & Advocacy: The BHS is a leading champion for horse safety, famously spearheading the “Dead Slow” campaign to improve driver awareness. It also works tirelessly to protect and expand public rights of way, ensuring equestrians have safe off-road routes to ride and drive.
Standards & Training: As a global authority, the BHS provides a renowned system of professional qualifications and an approvals scheme for livery yards and riding schools, maintaining high standards of care and instruction across the industry.
Community Impact: Through its flagship Changing Lives Through Horses programme, the charity has reached over 5,000 young people. This initiative uses equine-facilitated learning to help disengaged youth develop vital life skills like communication and confidence.