HORSE riders on the Rosneath peninsula are urging motorists to be more aware of their animals on the road after a series of near misses.

Local riders say they have experienced incidents involving cars, vans, buses and lorries overtaking without slowing, cutting in too soon in front when cars have been coming the other way, sitting right behind the horse's heels, speeding through puddles, sounding horns and shouting abuse out of their windows.

They say that while most drivers are respectful and follow the Highway Code, the actions of only one impatient motorist could cause serious injury or the death.

One horse owner told the Advertiser that riders don't use the roads to make life difficult for others, and that the majority own horses as pets that need to be regularly exercised.

She said: "Horses are legally allowed to use roads and unfortunately off-road tracks in the area don’t link up well and forestry tracks can only be reached by using roads.

"Unfortunately it only takes one inconsiderate or impatient driver who does not follow the highway code to cause serious injury or a death. This can be of the horse, rider or car driver."

When on the roads, riders may have to indicate their intended actions using hand signals to ask drivers to stop or slow down if they see a dangerous situation ahead or to ask a car to slow down.

Riders aim to be visible when using the roads wearing bright colours, and aim to be polite to other road users.

Motorists should also note that horse riders can't always drop their reins to wave a 'thank you', but they will usually aim to smile and nod as a thank you for slowing down.

Horses can be easily spooked and riders are urging people to slow down to 15mph or less and give horses more than two metres' room when passing.

The British Horse Society are working with police forces around the UK to raise awareness of horses on the roads but most horse riders will now wear head or body cameras to capture dangerous driving driving and abusive behaviour, which they can in turn report to police.

The British Horse Society recommends four simple steps for drivers to abide by when passing horses.

They are:

- to slow down to 15mph

- to be patient and not sound the horn or rev the engine

- to pass wide

- and to drive slowly away.

Local horse riders are urging people to remember these points when they come across horses and riders on the roads.