It’s not every day you see a horse trotting down the road, but in parts of the Northern Beaches, it’s not that unusual either.

We share our roads with horses and riders, especially around Terrey Hills, Duffy’s Forest, Ingleside, Warriewood and Oxford Falls.

Although horse riders are trained to ride on public roads, it’s important to remember that horses have a blind spot and may not see you approaching, so to avoid stirring up trouble follow these safety tips when you meet a horse and rider on our local roads.

For drivers:

• Slow down and leave plenty of space when overtaking.
• Never use your horn or rev your engine, as you could scare the horse.
• Use extra caution around younger riders.
• Stop if the rider is having difficulty with the horse.

For cyclists:

• Alert the rider to your approach by calling out in a clear, low voice.
• Don’t ring your bell.

For motorcyclists:

• Slow down and allow horses to pass safely.
• Minimise noise from your engine and turn it off if it would scare the horse.

So when you’re out and about on 2 wheels or 4, remember these tips and you’ll be on a winner every time.