Rules for riding a horse on a footpath

[mrs mtx]

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?

 

[Shadow]

A footpath does not provide a right of way for horses however a landowner can give you permission to use a route / field etc regardless of whether all or part of that comprises a footpath.
When we were in Oxfordshire our liveries had permission to ride in any empty fields including the several footaths that ran across it. We never had any problems with the riders (although we had a walker who let cattle out several times)

 

[chaffcutter]

Afaik you can only walk on a footpath, horses are restricted to bridle paths or the next class of highway, green lanes. I have argued with folk trying to take bicycles over footpaths, which round here are accessed by stiles or kissing gates, both of which would not allow horses onto a footpath.

 

[mrs mtx]

Thank you both
There is one near us which we used to ride across when I was a child. There are no gates or stiles and wide enough to drive a car down. It crosses two different farms who do not get on and I was told a few years ago when I moved my horse back to the area that the other farm now no longer gave permission for it to be used.
It would be a nice round loop of a ride if I could use it but I just wondered what the rules were before I asked

 

[Old McDonald]

I have just raised a point on the other presently active footpath thread about dogs being exercised on them. If people are allowed to walk a dog, why could you not also lead a horse on a footpath. Some dogs are as big as small ponies. What is the difference?

Could you also lead a pet of some other species that is not covered by farm animal movement reguglations.

 

[Welsh Farmer]

I have just raised a point on the other presently active footpath thread about dogs being exercised on them. If people are allowed to walk a dog, why could you not also lead a horse on a footpath. Some dogs are as big as small ponies. What is the difference?

Could you also lead a pet of some other species that is not covered by farm animal movement reguglations.

Horses are regulated by Bridleway and Highway Law and as others have said they are definitely NOT allowed on footpaths. Other animals on a footpath ... well technically speaking so long as it was a small pet and either on a lead or at heel then it would be allowed. Typical "farm-type" animals would be poor form to bring on to another farmers land imo.

 

[Welsh Farmer]

but I just wondered what the rules were before I asked

99% of the time most landowners are quite amiable about riders who seek permission in a face-to-face manner before trying to ride through. Good luck with asking

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Horses are regulated by Bridleway and Highway Law and as others have said they are definitely NOT allowed on footpaths. Other animals on a footpath ... well technically speaking so long as it was a small pet and either on a lead or at heel then it would be allowed. Typical "farm-type" animals would be poor form to bring on to another farmers land imo.

Agreed but surely irrelevant with the land owner's permission?

 

[Cooper3075]

A dog and a horse are two very different things a dog will hardly leave a foot print where as a house can make a hell of a mess in soft ground.

 

[Welsh Farmer]

No, it's not that simple. It is actually an absolute Law breaker for horses to be on a public footpath even with the landowners permission.

 

[mrs mtx]

No, it's not that simple. It is actually an absolute Law breaker for horses to be on a public footpath even with the landowners permission.

Thank you I'll stick to the bridle ways then rather than open a whole can of worms

 

[rob1]

No, it's not that simple. It is actually an absolute Law breaker for horses to be on a public footpath even with the landowners permission.

Why ? Just read a link from the other thread about footpaths and it says horses can be kept in fields with paths, cant see the difference, do you have a link ?

 

[llamedos]

Thank you I'll stick to the bridle ways then rather than open a whole can of worms

There is nothing wrong in your asking the farmer for a private permissive route, so long as you are not riding on the actual footpath, which will have a prescriptive width. What he will be worried about is others seeing you and then requesting or expecting similar consideration.

 

[mrs mtx]

There is nothing wrong in your asking the farmer for a private permissive route, so long as you are not riding on the actual footpath, which will have a prescriptive width. What he will be worried about is others seeing you and then requesting or expecting similar consideration.

It's a lane that goes between a mountain and their fields so I wouldn't expect him to actually let me on his fields. I thought it may cause issues with some people on the other farm if I was allowed and they weren't hence why I wanted to know facts before trying.
I think it might all be more hassle than it's worth

 

[Welsh Farmer]

It is in the Highway Code @rob1 but I am talking about "riding" a horse along a footpath as opposed to horses grazing or say someone riding a horse "in" a field and riding across a footpath. Both those would be allowed.

Have to say my knowledge of this is well up to par .... I am a BHS Riding and Road Safety Trainer / Examiner .... as is my daughter

edit to say .... just providing that last bit by way of explanation not in some superior sence

 

[neilo]

Thank you I'll stick to the bridle ways then rather than open a whole can of worms

Go and see the farmers concerned. Wear your tightest jodphurs and smile sweetly, and most farmers will allow access as long as you are responsible.

On second thoughts, I don't know what you look like in jodphurs. Perhaps you'd better post a pic so that the collective can decide on the best course of action.

 

[Pond digger]

No, it's not that simple. It is actually an absolute Law breaker for horses to be on a public footpath even with the landowners permission.

Not so sure about that. It is an offence to use a motor vehicle on a footpath or bridleway, but that doesn't stop the landowner or those he grants permission to. The unauthorised use by horse riders would be a trespass, I think.

 

[4course]

horses arnt a problem its the lycra clad cyclists who have become an absoulute nightmare this last few years arrogant ive got rights dicks the lot of them

 

[Courier]

Might be a good idea to check the status of the path with the local council - you never know .....

 

[Welsh Farmer]

Not so sure about that. It is an offence to use a motor vehicle on a footpath or bridleway, but that doesn't stop the landowner or those he grants permission to. The unauthorised use by horse riders would be a trespass, I think.

Nope .... a landowner could certainly grant permission for a horse rider to ride through or over his land ..... but riding a horse along a public footpath is an absolute offence.