Would Insurance cover walking a horse on road in halter?

[vels mum]

A horse who is being walked out on the road in just a halter, or are you required to put a bridle on them?

Say horse kicks a car and being led in only a headcollar?

I know legally your horse must have a saddle and bridle when you are riding so if this was not worn insurance would not cover, however what are the requirements for leading on the roads?

[black crow]

I might be wrong, but i think i remember it has to be bridle to be covered =/

[CityLights]

interesting query, i would imagine if there ever was an incident someone would argue that you didnt have proper control of the horse as it was not in a bridle and there fore accident was your fault

[CDR]

Oh dear, I didn't realise that! I lead Bailey along the road every day to his field - it's only a small track but you do get cars along it.

[Lorraine]

Given that if your horse escaped from its field and damaged a car it would be covered I can't see why it shouldn't cover you leading a horse down the road in a halter. I would imagine if it was excluded or there was a stipulation that when out on roads it had to be in a bridle this should be covered in the small print of any insurance policy. It may vary from insurer to insurer.

[vels mum]

But is it not a legal requirement that you must have bridle and saddle when ridden, if you were riding in halter you would be breaking the law so why should it be different when leading.
I urge you all to check with your personal insurance companies.

[vels mum]

I asked this on another forum, this is what amember replied with:

no. nfu know i take him in-hand in a halter, they're fine with it. also *most* insurance companys stipulate that you have to be safe & in control. people who ride in a halter feel much more in control than in a bitted bridle. so a 'bridle' is not actually necessary to be covered out on the road in a halter.

i know of several companies now, that allow you to ride in a halter/bitless as long as you are in control. tis fine. the only thing you're not allowed to do bitless it seems, is dressage!!!

[My Crazy Clan]

Well after riding on the road with my bareback pad and dually halter, my horse bolting after being scared ******** by some ****-head driver, I then get told your insured would be invalid if riding without a saddle etc.

Back in the days you nveer had saddles etc, bareback was the main way.

I can't see it being any different in a head collar to a bride, I mainly use my dually halter far more control then a bridle for 2 of my horses.

[Lorraine]

Well after riding on the road with my bareback pad and dually halter, my horse bolting after being scared ******** by some ****-head driver, I then get told your insured would be invalid if riding without a saddle etc.
The Highway code states:

52. Before you take a horse on to a road, you should ... Never ride a horse without both a saddle and bridle.

53. ... keep both feet in the stirrups

Doesn't say anything about leading horses, although herding animals is allowed but "these should be kept under control at all times."

[My Crazy Clan]

I think they should make it clearer in the paper work, I never knew about this, I've been doing it for years until someone on here told me about it.

[Mobell]

I think in cases where you are unsure whether you would be covered as your situation is not of the the norm I would check with your insurance company. Personally I would not lead in an area that is open to the public in a halter.