Their concerns were most recently highlighted when Natalie Möller and the horse she was riding were almost struck by a passing car, in the Benoni Agricultural Holdings.
The incident happened on the corner of Wattle and Willow roads.
“They were driving very recklessly and there was not much space for the horses,” said Möller.
“If the horse had fallen over, it would have landed on me.”
Phillip Roberts and Gideon Murray are co-directors at Ostler’s Inn Equestrian Centre, to which the horse belongs.
Murray, who was giving Möller a lesson at the time, said the vehicle did not slow down, despite several hand gestures from him.
“I’m very upset; horses have the right of way,” Murray said angrily.
“People should go over the rules of the road and have the common courtesy to slow down.”
Roberts said he and Murray are both former qualified SPCA inspectors.
“New residents in the area aren’t used to animals, but they drive recklessly and endanger riders’ lives,” said Roberts.
He added that there are cautionary signs warning motorists of horses in the area.
Melise Etheridge, owner of Crystal Ridge Equestrian Centre, also expressed her disappointment, saying: “I’ve lived in Benoni all my life and this happens a lot.
“Benoni has one of the largest horse populations in the southern hemisphere and drivers don’t think about that.”
Colin Miles, owner of Six Trees Stud, said the area needs more speed humps, stop signs, active policing and a maximum speed limit of 40km/h.
“Any stable yard here would support action to cut traffic in the area,” he said.
The EMPD recently investigated complaints about speeding motorists in Jarrah Road.
According to their report, six vehicles violated the road’s maximum speed limit of 60km/h, with the highest speed being 81km/h and the average 54km/h.
The officers added the following remarks to the report: “As indicated by the stats, the average speed is under control, with the odd motorist who exceeds the speed limit.
“Periodical speed checks will be conducted for the odd motorists who break the law.”
EMPD spokesperson Lieut-Col Wilfred Kgasago explained some road rules pertaining to horses.
“Horses that are led basically may not be on the roadway,” he said.
“Here it’s a question of safety as observed by vehicles, to give right of way with no strict and fast rules in this regard.
“Horses ridden have to be in places dedicated for horse-riding, away from the public road, unless it’s horses on a special duty or for parade by law enforcement agencies or other organisations, which obtained permission.
“Bottom line: all animals are supposed to be in secured or dedicated places.”
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Additional rules regarding horses:
1. Subject to the provisions of subregulation (2), no person shall leave or allow (a horse) to be on any section of a public road where that section is fenced or in any other manner closed along both sides.
2. The provisions of subregulation (1) shall not apply —
(a) to any animal which is being ridden or is being used to draw a vehicle along a public road; or
(b) to any animal which is being driven from one place to another in such manner as not to constitute a source of danger or injury to any person or vehicle using such road.
3. Point three was cut due to space constraints.
4. No person shall drive any animal referred to in subregulation (1) —
(a) along a public road during the period from sunset to sunrise, unless a person carrying a red light visible in clear weather for a distance of at least 150m tends such an animal; or
(b) along a public road during any other period, unless a person displaying in a conspicuous manner a red cloth, of not less than 300mm by 300mm, tends such an animal.
5. A person in charge of an animal on a public road shall tend the animal in such a manner as not to constitute an obstruction or danger to other traffic.
6. A traffic officer may take charge of any animal referred to in subregulation (1) on a public road or take such steps in respect of the animal as determined by the MEC of the province concerned.
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