Wild horses or ponies sign: what it means
The wild horses or ponies sign warns that horses or ponies that roam free may be on or near the road ahead.
What does the wild horses or ponies sign mean?
Know your traffic signs lists it as “wild horses or ponies”. Rule 215 says feral or semi-feral ponies, in places such as the New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmoor, need the same care as ridden horses.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Wild horses or ponies may be on the road.
- Horse riders may be on or crossing the road.
- Wild animals, such as deer, may be on the road.
Show answer
A. Wild horses or ponies may be on the road. Wild horses or ponies are likely to be in the road ahead (Know your traffic signs). Source: Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 214, GOV.UK; The Highway Code, rule 215, GOV.UK; Traffic sign images, Department for Transport, GOV.UK
Where will you see it?
On unfenced roads in national parks and on common land, such as the New Forest, Exmoor and Dartmoor.
What should you do?
Slow down and give them plenty of room. Pass wide and slowly, do not sound your horn and do not rev your engine (rule 215). At night, watch for eyes reflecting in your lights.
What do people get wrong?
Expecting ponies to move out of the way. They are unpredictable and can step into the road at any moment.
Common questions
How should I pass a pony on the road?
Wide and slowly. The Highway Code says to slow to a maximum of 10 mph near horses and allow at least 2 metres (rule 215).
Is this the same sign as for ridden horses?
No. The sign with a rider warns of accompanied horses or ponies.
Compare with
Accompanied horses signHorse riders may be on or crossing 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 rules 214 and 215.
- Know your traffic signs: warning signs, GOV.UK
- The Highway Code, rule 214, 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.