Bridleways, jumps etc.

SuperH

SuperH

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There is a bridleway the runs through my field.

The hunt came and took out part of the hedge between us and our neighbour and installed a jump. We usually have wire across the top to prevent the cattle each side from jumping it and mixing up. However the after the hunt came through last they didn't put it back up. This week I have seen hoofprints going over the jump on the side of the bridleway and into the neighbours field and back again. Neighbour is cross about this but not too worried as neighbour is putting the wire back up as cattle are being turned onto his field this week.

However, the field I ride in also has the bridleway passing through. I have my jumps and bits and bobs in there. What happens if someone uses my jumps (obviously without permission and they have to leave the marked bridleway route and ride on the field to get to them) and falls off and hurts themselves? Are we liable?
 
Yes in theory you could be liable, ridiculous tho it is, if it weren't the case peeps would be a lot more relaxed. However any damages would be looked at in the context of the trespass ie your duty of care might be held to be a lot lower than to invited visitors.

I would be putting up some signs to remind people it is private property. Out of interest, did the hunt have permission to chop the hedge and put up the fence?
 
Does the bridleway run down the side of the field? If it does could you run some electric tape along it. It doesn't need electrifying if that's tricky, your visitors aren't going to know.
 
I don't know about the hunt and permission as it was installed before I was about.

If I just put the poles on the floor after each use (so that if they were going to come and jump them they would have to get off and put them up) would that give us some protection? Pain in the bottom having to roll the barrels away each time. I was thinking of making some logs but if we could be liable I don't think I will bother. How would I stand/what difference would it make if I stuck a sign on any cross country fences I make saying private property?
 
If your jumps are set up on land which others can use - I would put a small notice on them - on the lines of 'use at your own risk' - take a pic of sign and jumps just in case xx
 
Just put up a sign each end saying please keep to the bridleway.

The suggestion ot use at own risk could be seen to imply permission to do so.

I would be inclined to add - please respect the adder breeding area.
 
I just think how rude someone would have to be to go and use your jumps which are obviously not for public use, why would they be?! I would also put up a sign that it is private. The electric tape is a good idea though.
 
I would be ringing the hunt up too. Usually they are very good at putting fences back again. Perhaps a sign on the bridleway saying "stay on path. Jumps not for public use".

A lady near us has jumps on an arena by a bridleway without a fence, she is known to block people and charge them £10 if they go over fences and she sees them!
 
Thank you for your suggestions, liking the adder breeding area! I think it is very rude to assume you can use equipment belonging to someone else, even if it is in the same field as a public right of way. I think please stay on path may be a useful sign to have if I see hoofprints where they shouldn't be. I can't tape it off I would need loads of it and it would reduce the grazing area of the cows too much and we wouldn't be able to get them in and out of over 50% of their grazing.
 
In relation to your original question about being liable - sadly you would be. I assume you have some sort of third party liability insurance cover for the property? If not I'd sort that before sorting any kinds of sign.

If you put up a sign you're acknowledging that you know people use them so a nasty lawyer could argue that you were accepting liability for them!

In the same stupid way as the old 'caution young horse' hi vis was determined as accepting liability for your horses bad behaviour (no matter what the idiot driver did!) - hence no longer used.
 
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