Horse rider riding/leading on Public Footpath.

[George from SJM Planning]

As Clive has said. Cash in on it! Don't be a looser and miss out. I had a 15 mile permissive route for horses in a past life. SR4H (Safer Routes for horses) was the logo in lovely stainless steel, nailed to each gate. Most of it is still going, except those pieces of ground which were sold due to the over-spending of the land-owner. Be a super hero and provide safe parking and somewhere you can load and unload a couple of horses and you'll start to get interest and things will snowball. Or be homophobic or whatever the fear of horseriders is? Equi-phobic?? and sit and shiver and make nothing for your efforts.
SS

One of our clients is looking at doing something like this in an old sand quarry, the interest from the horsey community is huge and the daily riding fees or subscriptions make it look like an attractive business opportunity!

 

[flowerpot]

Any impediment of the right of way needs to be cleared by the ROW Officer, in the case of fencing and installing a stile or kissing gate then a marked up plan and description of the proposed work should be sent to the ROW Officer for approval before commencement of works.

That is correct. Our ROW office is busy trying to remove stiles from footpaths, although they will supply new gates if we install them. I feel a bit sorry for the rider though if she is trying to keep away from the main road. Is there any damage from the horse? I guess not, could you not give permission to her (so it won't become a right of way).
If you have a Public Footpath trespass from cyclists or riders it is a civil offence, according to our ROW officers.
Riders are usually more particular than walkers about gates as they know about stock getting out.

 

[flowerpot]

One of our clients is looking at doing something like this in an old sand quarry, the interest from the horsey community is huge and the daily riding fees or subscriptions make it look like an attractive business opportunity!

There are several Toll Ride schemes throughout the country where riders pay a subscription to ride on farmland, either as a "destination" where they would take a horse in a trailer and go out for an our or two, or as part of a network which joins up bridlepaths, avoids main roads, or simply dangerous narrow roads, improves road crossings. Believe me, riders are very grateful for this sort of scheme, but you have to have enough riders in the area who will be willing to pay for the access.

 

[Case290]

Very frustrating. couple of weeks ago I had a footpath walker walking 2 dogs not on the foot path I left alone then 15mins later they were walking across the middle of field. I thought right I’ll have to ask what’s going on and if every things ok. Dog got me down and bit my leg Luckly they got the dog off. As you can image I was not best pleased. . Guess that’s y they were t on the foot path . So it can’t bite general public. Rant over

 

[Goweresque]

Very frustrating. couple of weeks ago I had a footpath walker walking 2 dogs not on the foot path I left alone then 15mins later they were walking across the middle of field. I thought right I’ll have to ask what’s going on and if every things ok. Dog got me down and bit my leg Luckly they got the dog off. As you can image I was not best pleased. . Guess that’s y they were t on the foot path . So it can’t bite general public. Rant over

Report it to the police, if for no other reason than to get it recorded in case something with the same person happens again.

 

[Highland Mule]

Very frustrating. couple of weeks ago I had a footpath walker walking 2 dogs not on the foot path I left alone then 15mins later they were walking across the middle of field. I thought right I’ll have to ask what’s going on and if every things ok. Dog got me down and bit my leg Luckly they got the dog off. As you can image I was not best pleased. . Guess that’s y they were t on the foot path . So it can’t bite general public. Rant over

Report it to the police, if for no other reason than to get it recorded in case something with the same person happens again.

Absolutely - just imagine if you had a small child with you. Any dog bites should be reported, any straying from footpaths should be challenged and all dogs off leads should be prohibited.

 

[Farfrae]

Just for info (as not much difference in replies) there was a previous thread with a similar question here

Rules for riding a horse on a footpath

I am just wondering what the official rules are? I have in my head that you can just walk your horse on a footpath with the landowners permission but I've no idea who I heard that off (was years ago) and if it's total rubbish. Any ideas? Is it a total no no?

thefarmingforum.co.uk

 

[flowerpot]

Just for info (as not much difference in replies) there was a previous thread with a similar question here

Rules for riding a horse on a footpath

I am just wondering what the official rules are? I have in my head that you can just walk your horse on a footpath with the landowners permission but I've no idea who I heard that off (was years ago) and if it's total rubbish. Any ideas? Is it a total no no?

thefarmingforum.co.uk

You can ride on a footpath with the landowner's permission. Walkers might get a bit het up if it damages the surface and makes it muddy for them, but it is up to the landowner. If a landowner wants to upgrade a footpath to a bridlepath they can use Express Dedication, although the County Council then have to accept it and maintain it. There have been quite a lot of Express Dedication upgrades in the Mendip Area, some have paid the landowners a one off payment to upgrade. Details from the Cross Trails Trust.

Rights of Way law is very complex but it is such a huge subject that although lots of people say it should be updated I don't think Parliament has the stomach for it.