Motherofwelshies
Member
Hi everyone
I'm a long time reader of the forum and I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice about an issue with a bridleway.
So there is a bridleway that runs through a neighbouring farm and is clearly marked as a bridlepath.
When I first moved to the yard I was told that it is definitely a bridlepath but the landowner can be particularly difficult and doesn't like people using it. They have put several signs up over the years marking the bridlepath only for the signs to mysteriously dissappear.....
Anyway we ride through there regularly. It's a large field that borders the forestry and usually has some cows grazing in there but there has never been an issue with them up to now. We are also very respectful and always walk when around the cattle or if they are close by so as not to frighten them.
Yesterday we went for a ride and when returning back towards the hunting gate out of the field, we noticed the cows grazing towards the gate. Didn't think anything of it but as we got closer we noticed they had a friend, a rather large bull!
We stopped a distance away to see if the cows would move off but they didn't, then the bull spotted us and came wandering over. He seemed more curious than aggressive but it was still pretty scary and didn't really know how to react so just tried to keep still and keep the horses facing towards him. Eventually we managed to walk quietly towards the gate with him following close behind and got out of the field OK.
While the situation did turn out OK I'm quite worried about what could have happened had he been more aggressive or the horses had spooked, and it could have been very dangerous and gone very badly.
Now I'm fully aware that it's the landowners right to use his land however he chooses, and if that means grazing a bull then that is of course his choice but I am a little concerned that there are no warning signs telling people about the bull. Once we got out of the field and started to head back down the track towards the yard we stopped an elderly gentleman who was on his way up with his little dog to warn him that the bull was out with the cattle. The path is used regularly by walkers to aswell as horse riders.
I was wondering what the law says about PROW and the obligation of the landowner to keep them safe or at least warn people of dangers such as a bull or a stallion being loose on the path?
What is the best way to approach this? I don't think our area has a bhs bridleways officer to ask.
Anyway sorry to ramble. I'm grateful for any advice anyone can offer x
I'm a long time reader of the forum and I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice about an issue with a bridleway.
So there is a bridleway that runs through a neighbouring farm and is clearly marked as a bridlepath.
When I first moved to the yard I was told that it is definitely a bridlepath but the landowner can be particularly difficult and doesn't like people using it. They have put several signs up over the years marking the bridlepath only for the signs to mysteriously dissappear.....
Anyway we ride through there regularly. It's a large field that borders the forestry and usually has some cows grazing in there but there has never been an issue with them up to now. We are also very respectful and always walk when around the cattle or if they are close by so as not to frighten them.
Yesterday we went for a ride and when returning back towards the hunting gate out of the field, we noticed the cows grazing towards the gate. Didn't think anything of it but as we got closer we noticed they had a friend, a rather large bull!
We stopped a distance away to see if the cows would move off but they didn't, then the bull spotted us and came wandering over. He seemed more curious than aggressive but it was still pretty scary and didn't really know how to react so just tried to keep still and keep the horses facing towards him. Eventually we managed to walk quietly towards the gate with him following close behind and got out of the field OK.
While the situation did turn out OK I'm quite worried about what could have happened had he been more aggressive or the horses had spooked, and it could have been very dangerous and gone very badly.
Now I'm fully aware that it's the landowners right to use his land however he chooses, and if that means grazing a bull then that is of course his choice but I am a little concerned that there are no warning signs telling people about the bull. Once we got out of the field and started to head back down the track towards the yard we stopped an elderly gentleman who was on his way up with his little dog to warn him that the bull was out with the cattle. The path is used regularly by walkers to aswell as horse riders.
I was wondering what the law says about PROW and the obligation of the landowner to keep them safe or at least warn people of dangers such as a bull or a stallion being loose on the path?
What is the best way to approach this? I don't think our area has a bhs bridleways officer to ask.
Anyway sorry to ramble. I'm grateful for any advice anyone can offer x