Accompanied horses sign: what it means
The accompanied horses sign, with a horse and rider, warns that horses or ponies being ridden or led are likely to be on or crossing the road ahead.
What does the accompanied horses sign mean?
Know your traffic signs describes it as accompanied horses or ponies likely to be in or crossing the road.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Horse riders may be on or crossing the road.
- Wild horses or ponies may be on the road.
- Wild animals, such as deer, may be on the road.
Show answer
A. Horse riders may be on or crossing the road. Accompanied horses or ponies are likely to be in or crossing the road (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 215, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
Near riding schools, stables and bridleways that cross the road.
What should you do?
When you see a horse, slow down to a maximum of 10 mph. Be patient, do not sound your horn or rev your engine, and pass wide and slow with at least 2 metres of space when it is safe (rule 215).
What do people get wrong?
Passing close and fast because the rider waved. Riders are often children, and horses can move very quickly if startled (rule 215).
Common questions
How much room should I give a horse rider?
At least 2 metres, at no more than 10 mph (The Highway Code, rule 215).
Why might two riders ride side by side?
Riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse or rider (rule 215).
Compare with
Wild horses or ponies signWild horses or ponies may be on the road.
Wild animals signWild animals, such as deer, may be on the road.
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against Know your traffic signs (warning signs) and The Highway Code rule 215.
- Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 215, GOV.UK
- Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Traffic sign images are Crown copyright, from the Department for Transport. Sources and image credits.