applying your smart driving skills Space margins  Horses  see  think  do  Space margins  98 Prepare to stop  — if a rider is having trouble controlling their  horse, stop. It’s better to wait until the horse is back under the  rider’s control than to risk passing them. Pass carefully  — horses may be startled by sudden movement or noise. Avoid sounding your horn, and pass  carefully and slowly.  Allow space when passing  — leave extra room when passing them.  Slow down  — go slowly when approaching a horse and rider or  horse and carriage. Allow plenty of following distance.  Know the rules  — horse riders  and horse carriage operators  have the same rights as motor  vehicle operators and must obey  the same rules.  Know the hazards  — horses can be startled by sudden  movement or noise. The rider may not be able to control the horse.  Scan ahead  — look for horses  and riders.  Horses may be ridden on most  public roads. Allow following distance  — never get trapped on a crossing.  When traffic is heavy, wait until you can clear the crossing  before moving ahead. Gear down  — if you are driving a vehicle with a standard  transmission, change to a lower gear before you begin to cross.  Never change gears on the crossing because you could stall the vehicle. 