The latest campaign from the road safety organisation, supported by In’n’Out Autocentres research, urges horse owners to put tyres at the heart of animal care
TyreSafe has launched a new road safety campaign targeting horse owners, riders, and transporters. The road safety charity describes the new campaign, which was filmed on location at Solihull Riding Club and at Lancashire Constabulary’s Mounted Division HQ, as its first-ever equine tyre safety campaign, equating the safety of vehicles’ rubber with animal safety. Developed in conjunction with the British Horse Society and supported by The Pony Club, the campaign provides a complete toolkit of resources, including a step-by-step guide, a downloadable leaflet, an educational video (see below), and shareable social media assets. The campaign responds to a sharp increase in the number of towing-related incidents in 2024.
The issue most prevalent in the TyreSafe equine tyre safety campaign is tyre ageing, a danger that is often overlooked by this group of road users. TyreSafe explains that horseboxes and trailers often stand idle for long periods, which can cause the rubber to harden and crack, even when the tread depth appears legal. This severely compromises grip, performance, and safety. Horseboxes with a gross weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes are subject to the same tyre age restrictions as HGVs and coaches, meaning it is illegal to use tyres aged 10 years or older on the front steered axles of these vehicles.
Field research conducted by TyreSafe’s supporter In’n’Out Autocentres at a British Riding Club’s Championship event found that tyre age was the most significant issue for both horseboxes and trailers. Tyre condition was also a concern, with embedded objects and sidewall damage consistent with use on tight country lanes and rough tracks. Interestingly, poor tyre tread was more common on the towing vehicle than the trailer, highlighting the need to be equally vigilant with both vehicles.
Disturbing statistics reveal hidden road safety issue
The urgency of this campaign is backed by alarming statistics from National Highways’ data on the strategic road network (SRN), which includes all of England’s motorways and major A roads. The data shows a 16 per cent increase in towing-related incidents in 2024, with horseboxes accounting for over 1 in 5 (21.9 per cent) of these incidents.
The SRN makes up only about 2 per cent of the total road length in England, which suggests the scale of the issue is significantly underreported. This is especially likely considering that horseboxes and trailers often travel on smaller, more rural roads where such incidents may go unrecorded.
During filming, a lack of awareness about the need for proper tyre maintenance was observed. While tyre pressures weren’t formally recorded in the field research, significant under-inflation was noticed on numerous vehicles. This underscores the need for owners to adjust pressures to compensate for the weight of the animals being transported, which is crucial for both vehicle safety and the comfort of the animal.
Interviews with vehicle owners provided strong anecdotal evidence that tyre checks are often an afterthought. While owners understood the importance of checking tread and pressure, few actually did so before setting off. Even fewer understood how to check the age of their tyres or why it represents a safety risk, especially when carrying a heavy load. This highlights the urgent need for better education to drive positive behavioural change, which is the core purpose of this campaign.
A call to action for every horse owner
Stuart Lovatt, TyreSafe chair, said: “When it comes to transporting horses, tyre safety isn’t just about vehicles—it’s about the wellbeing of the animals inside them. We’re urging owners to check not only air pressure, condition, and tread, but also the age of their tyres. It’s a vital part of animal care that’s too often overlooked.”
Marcus Capel, CEO of The Pony Club, said: “With education and welfare at the heart of The Pony Club it is vital that our Members and the families supporting them are fully conversant with the safe transportation of their horses and ponies. We are proud to be working with TyreSafe to support our Members in ensuring their transportation is fit for purpose for the welfare of themselves and their horses.”
Des Payne, safety team leader at The British Horse Society (BHS), added: “The BHS is proud to be supporting TyreSafe to deliver such an important campaign. We can’t stress enough how important preparation is when it comes to traveling safely with your horse, no matter the distance. It’s not just about driving—the safety of your horse depends on these thorough checks. We encourage you to ACT now and check Air pressure, Condition, and Tread for a safer, smoother journey.”
Tony Crook, road safety officer at Lancashire County Council, said: “We see too many avoidable incidents involving horse transporters. Tyres are often the weakest link. We’re proud to support TyreSafe in educating the equine community to reduce risk for animals and owners alike.”
Horse owners can download the free resources at www.tyresafe.org, integrate tyre checks into their transport routines, and make every journey as safe as the destination.
