I THINK the halcyon days of spring must be around the corner as the retired event horse and I have had more than one encounter with a kingfisher on the River Earn this March.

These ‘halcyon’ birds are associated with a charming Greek myth and they are also a totem of abundance and increased spiritual awareness, if you believe the internet.

It is quite magical to see that iridescent turquoise flash and moments like these emphasise the privilege that horse riding provides, taking us to remote and beautiful locations and offering a superior view.

The British Horse Society is a chocolate box of abundance as we deal with such a variety of subjects in our quest to improve Scotland for the horse.

We are still pushing our ‘Dead Slow’ campaign like mad. This is all about encouraging drivers to pass horses at a maximum of 15 mph.

The BHS is trying to change the attitudes and behaviour of drivers through education, and we are hoping to get the limit into the Highway Code (this would not make it law, but would certainly give it more gravitas).

Obviously, we are not just talking about speed though – it is about giving enough space, not revving the engine and passing wide and slow.

Equally and opposite, we hope riders, too, are obeying the Highway Code, being courteous in return, being properly prepared and a bit like our kingfisher, taking their visibility seriously, being seen and being safe. BHS Scotland is always looking for ways of promoting the ‘Dead Slow’ message working with schools, the police, transport companies and anyone who will help us.

We have been doing research into the effect of the new rates revaluation on the Scottish equine industry and are busy asking questions about rental values, how to get relief and appeal, the consequences of a large hike in rates and the uneven playing field created by the differing assessor’s offices and local authorities.

We fear that horses may be displaced as stables simply cannot afford to remain trading or proprietors pass on increased costs to horse owners. We also worry that people will be denied access to horses and riding as our riding schools deal with yet another squeeze and more overheads.

Engineers on the A9 are homing in on preferred routes for each segment so we work with our original audit of this mighty highway (which forms a barrier the length of upland Scotland) to ensure where possible our crossings are protected by underpasses or incorporated into junctions.

We are also working hard to ensure information on suitable surfaces, gradients and signage for horse riders and carriage drivers is available to the engineers who seem outwardly keen to do the right thing at crossings the length of the A9 for all non-motorised users, or NMUs as we are known.

The proof of this pudding will be in the eating, but organisations like ours work hard to keep equestrians in mind.

Biosecurity, enforcement, legislation and education will all fall under the spotlight at the 2017 Scottish Equine Welfare conference hosted jointly by BHS Scotland, the Donkey Sanctuary, World Horse Welfare and Scottish Government on Friday the April 28, 2017, at Howe Equestrian Centre, in Fife.

This day-long event – chaired by Professor Derek Knottenbelt – highlights the most immediate challenges and initiatives the Scottish industry deals with as we work to improve the lives of all our equines from the donkeys to the draughts.

All welcome, and this event is CPD for local authority enforcers. For more info contact Helene.Mauchlen@bhs.org.uk

Our best thing is, of course, our amazing volunteers who keep our regional committees active and act local while delivering national education like the high visibility and our worst thing are the ‘bad apples’ – those who ride on the mown lawns of parks or churn up soft paths so that other users have difficulty using them.

Maybe we are more like the kingfisher than we think. They too wear orange undergarments – that is what a cross BHS access rep feels like – so don’t do it people, ask if your actions today could have ramifications for others in the future.

Whatever happens BHS Scotland will never stop asking?