BHS riding and road safety

crazyhorse97

nervous nellie...
I have been offered the chance to do my BHS riding and orad safety at a friends livery yard....thought the easiest way to find out experiences would be to ask you guys!!!! what do you have to do, did anof you find it too hard work, how much theory is involved???

thanks in advance

CH
xXx
 
I have been offered the chance to do my BHS riding and orad safety at a friends livery yard....thought the easiest way to find out experiences would be to ask you guys!!!! what do you have to do, did anof you find it too hard work, how much theory is involved???

thanks in advance

CH
xXx

I would not worry about it being difficult. I have not done it but a few friends have and all they have learnt is things that i think should be common sense to any rider!!
 
I've done it twice because apparently they run out after a few years. You basically have to attend some sessions about riding and road safety and do a simulation test (you ride a test in a sand school and then you go for a short hack) and you get assessed. It isnt difficult if you know what the judges are looking for. It is quite nerve racking though!! Good luck.
 
If you can, get a few training sessions before hand so you know exactly what they're looking for, and read up on the highway code.

The exam is mainly common sense, and much easier than your driving test!! You do need a horse that is safe on the roads though, a few people have borrowed mine to take their test on because theirs wern't 100%.
 
You do need a horse that is safe on the roads though, a few people have borrowed mine to take their test on because theirs wern't 100%.

means i wont be able to use Jas then!!!! she goes a bit mental at puddles and bridges etc|!!!! lol will have to try and borrow one from the lady who has offered...she did say she might be able to find me one!

CH
xXx
 
There's three sections

Theory - (10 Questions) need to get 7/8 out of 10 correct to get to the next stage, these questions are multichoice, so pick the right answer out of the 3/4 given, pretty simple takes about 10/15 minutes.

Field Simulation - Your tutor will have gone through everything with you the course you'll be doing so you'll know whats involved and what to do. This section is about control of the horse and observation

Road riding - Includes a 5/10 minute hack on an actual rode you'll be riding as an open group and this is to make you aware and observe things around you.

Written - Traffic lights, signs, zebra crossings, roundabouts, accidents, e.c.t

They are basic just a few:

According to the Highway code, if you must ride out in murky weather or at dusk/night, what kind of clothing is safe?

a white
b Fluorscent
c Reflective

Would be C

What is the usual shape of roads signs giving orders?

a Circular
b Triangular
c Rectangular

Would be A

The most important thing you'll EVER learn is

  1. Observe - Look behind and all around
  2. Signal - Clearly and precisely
  3. Observe - life saver look (double check)
  4. Manoevre - go where you need to get to

Hand signal

Hand and arm need to be out straight the length of time say

"I intend to turn right/left"

Remember when signally dont bring your whip with you, put your whip in your other hand.

Field Simulation

Usually consists of hazards, right/left turns, round abouts, T-juntions, u-turn, dismount and lead, overtake a car, traffic lights and trotting (the last stage)

Usually they will give you their horses if you do it at a riding school or a training centre.

That gives you a taste of what its like ^^^
 
I did it in the summer. TBH, the theory is common sense and the ridden bit I found tedious, but thats because I like to do things my own way (for isntance, I was getting marked down for looking over the wrong shoulder).

The mare I did it on (Chelsea) was fine on the roads, a little forward going and when we started training in the fields she got very impatient and wouldn't stand! However by test day (and me taking her up to the field at least once a week for practice) she was perfectly happy with it. A lady at the stables rode her own mare who's normally ok on the roads, and when she went out she was very nappy - Nearly had herself over when a car went past. Even though she didn't complete the test they still passed her as she'd done the sensible thing and not carried on with her horse getting more and more wound up.
 
My gosh, I did this when I was 14, that's 12 years ago now :eek: Did it twice actually because I failed the first time :rolleyes:

I remember memorising the whole of the highway code, then not being asked hardly anything from it LOL. They were very big on arm signals, being polite to other road users, and position at junctions (this is what I failed on 1st time!). There was 3 parts I think, a short test on paper, a simulation, and then the actual riding on the road - they can fail you at any point.

One MAJOR tip - look behind you before EVERY signal!!!!

Good luck! :D
 
I have been offered the chance to do my BHS riding and orad safety at a friends livery yard....thought the easiest way to find out experiences would be to ask you guys!!!! what do you have to do, did anof you find it too hard work, how much theory is involved???

thanks in advance

CH
xXx

The handbook (which is compulsory) tells you all you need to know and gives sample questions, similar to those in the test. You also will be required to have an up-to-date copy of the Highway Code (bookshops and some post offices).

You have to do a fixed amount of theory training (off-hand I think it's about eight hours which can be 4 sessions of 2 hours, 2 half day sessions, or any combination thereof). The test can be ridden astride or side saddle but if you are doing the latter you have to warn the BHS as they have to arrange for a side saddle examiner to be present.

You have to be suitably dressed for riding and you must wear a hat recognised by the BHS as safe (check with them). Don't think you can get away with this as in my experience the examiners always check. You should fit yourself out with white gloves (or flourescent yellow ones) and a short riding whip (not a schooling whip) unless you are riding side saddle when a longer whip or cane is allowed. You will be supplied with a special flourescent and reflective tabard for the duration of the ridden test.

The test begins with the written theory test (mutiple choice questions) and if you pass that you go on to the ridden simulation either indoors or out which is set out with all the situations you might meet on the real road. If you pass that you then do the ridden test on the road. In other words, you have to pass all three sections of the test to be successful.

Successful candidates receive a certificate and a metal badge.

Incidentally the training has to be done at a recognised centre eg a BHS approved riding school). You can't just mug it up out of the book and show up at the test venue.
 
I did it in the summer. TBH, the theory is common sense and the ridden bit I found tedious, but thats because I like to do things my own way (for isntance, I was getting marked down for looking over the wrong shoulder).

The mare I did it on (Chelsea) was fine on the roads, a little forward going and when we started training in the fields she got very impatient and wouldn't stand! However by test day (and me taking her up to the field at least once a week for practice) she was perfectly happy with it. A lady at the stables rode her own mare who's normally ok on the roads, and when she went out she was very nappy - Nearly had herself over when a car went past. Even though she didn't complete the test they still passed her as she'd done the sensible thing and not carried on with her horse getting more and more wound up.

A friend of mine made a huge hash of the simulation - in fact the only thing she got right was one right turn. However, at the end of it, before the examiner could comment, she anounced baldly "Well, I've been riding for 50 years and I have NEVER ridden that badly!" Which seems to have saved her bacon as she was allowed to do the road test which she passed with flying colours. She says herself that it was nerves that nearly did for her on the simulation so bear this in mind.
 
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