Bull on a Bridleway

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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
 

Annagain

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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

You're not in South Wales by any chance are you? This sounds very familiar!
 

HappyHollyDays

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If the bull is quiet it shouldn't be a problem. I bring both my horses in and out together through the cow fields in the summer and at certain times of the year the bull is in with them. He isn’t in the slightest bit interested in anything but his girls and I have more issues with the very inquisitive calves who often come running over to say hello. I would rather deal with them than the horses in the other field, I won’t take them through that unless it’s empty and it takes considerably less time to get back to the yard than via the cow fields.
 

Birker2020

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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
This happened to me and my friend on a bridle ride holiday around Rutland in Leicestershire. We crossed a field with a few bullocks in, my horse wasn't concerned and we just walked on. However, my friend made the mistake of stopping and of course they were curious as cows are and they crowded around her horse which panicked her more than the horse.

It was a little disconcerting but they certainly weren't aggresive towards us. Its good practice to put up signs but I don't think its illegal not to do so, whether or not people are on foot or on horseback.
 
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It was more..... disconcerting than anything. I admit I have no experience with bulls other than a Highland bull our yard owner has who acts more like a dog.

It did unnerve us as did you expect to see him there. He didn't do anything aggressive and seemed curious more than anything. It was probably very telling that our horses were completely unfazed by the car sized bull having a sniff.

I think perhaps a sign would have been helpful just to make people aware. I wouldn't expect him to remove a perfectly calm bull if he isn't causing bother.

For those that have experience with bulls do you have any advice on riding around them. Not coming between him and his girls is a very good point. Also someone told me once that bulls do not have the best eyesight so sudden movements can startle them and provoke them, so always move quietly and slowly if you can.
 

Vodkagirly

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I used to ride on a bridleway which went though a field of bulls. Apparently they were hired out as required, all different breeds, some huge! They were quiet and never caused an issue.
 

Orangehorse

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A beef breed bull can be turned out on a right of way if it is with cows.

I used to regularly ride through a field with cows and a bull, although I was more cautious when they got a new younger bull. Instead of them all lying down and ignoring my horse they had crowded round the gate, so I simply got off and waited until they got bored and wandered off. The more they see of horses the less notice they will take of you, although I would go round and not through them.
 

SOS

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I would avoid getting between a bull and his girls but bar that it wouldn’t bother me.

We regularly have to ride through cows here and I live next door to a dairy farm so walk through fields with cows in everyday. They are much gentler creatures than horses although as other posters have said, calves can be very enquisitive!

I recently had a herd of calves follow my horse out hacking alone through a field and as we did the gate they were nibbling/suckling on my boots! My horse was not fussed as he has been trained to be okay with other animals around him.
 

dogatemysalad

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One of my hacking routes cut through a field with a bull and cows. I checked with the farmer the first time, who said wed be fine, so just gave the big lad and his ladies a wide berth.
 

MyBoyChe

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As long as its not a dairy herd with a dairy breed bull the farmer is breaking no laws and you shouldnt have any issues as long as you ride quietly through and avoid getting between the bull and the cows. I appreciate it can be a bit alarming but tbh Id rather ride through this scenario than with young bullocks who think its great fun to try and play or a field with a loose horse in it!!
 

PeterNatt

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There have been a number of incidents where walkers etc. using a Public Right of Way have been attacked and injured/killed by cattle.
As a result of this Landowners/Farmers have been advised to carry out a Health and Safety Audit before putting their cattle in a field crossed by a Public Right of Way and ensuring that an accident can not occur.
If an accident was to occur then the Health and Safety Executive would carry out an inspection and write a report which is chargable to the landowner and also issue a fine if the fault lies with the landowner/farmer.
In addition the landowner/farmer may be held liable and have a substantial claim made against them which could bankrupt them..
If you have any concerns about these cattle then contact the Rights fo Way Department of your local County Council immediately and ask them to investigate. Make sure that you keep a record of all communications so that you hold evidence of your concerns in the event of an accident occuring.
 

ponynutz

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I'm more worried that it sounds like they're removing bridleway signs. Not sure who was putting up the signs but if it was a local authority then that IS an offence -

'It’s an offence to pull down or obliterate a traffic sign or direction post. Local authority officers can be authorised to issue fixed penalty notices to anyone found obliterating signs'.

If it wasn't a local authority then you might be able to appeal to them that they SHOULD erect one:

Highway authorities (county councils or unitary authorities) have a legal duty to erect and maintain a signpost at every point where a right of way leaves a hard surfaced road (section 27 of the Countryside Act 1968).

Which would then make it illegal for him to remove it. (Unless of course local authority has already deemed it unnecessary to place a sign there).

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/advice/...nposts-waymarks-and-unauthorised-notices.aspx

While the bull might not be breaking any rules or laws it does sound like it's been placed there with the intention to deter and so can see why OP might have been worried initially. Shame it's not the type of bull where you'd need a sign but bull seems friendly enough from what you and others have said. Is this the only/best bridleway you have available to you? I imagine the bull won't be there for more than a season given his main *ahem* duty.
 
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JBM

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I think there should be a sign if people are walking their dogs there..I haven’t met many bulls that like a dog in their field when they’re with cows
 

Abby-Lou

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Just ride a walk and like everyone says give all the animals a wide birth. Its cows & calves that you need to be more concerned with.
 

MyBoyChe

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Yes, dairy breeds are more volatile, more likely to be aggressive around people. Im sure someone on here will know why thats the case but it is true apparently.
 

JBM

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It’s due to their upbringing..usually dairy bulls are bottle fed while beef stay with their mothers
The beef learn the difference between human and other cows but dairy don’t really and can see humans as part of the herd and then need to be bossed around.
Beef are also usually out with cows year round where as dairy only for a month or two and isolated for the rest..makes them a bit crazy depends on their management
We have had dangerous dairy bulls and quiet ones..but my dad always says it’s the quiet ones that kill cuz you take your eyes off them but with a dangerous one you’ll always be on guard
 

Orangehorse

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There was a discussion about accidents with cattle on a Farming board and someone had looked into the statistics.
Seems that the common factor was a dog accompanying the walker.

I'm not defending all cattle, I don't like it when 20+ playful heifers and bullocks come thundering across the field towards me, or me on my horse. There are the occasional aggressive ones, but they are very unusual. Cattle are curious and they are more curious and playful when first turned out in the spring, but they get used to traffic of any sort as the season goes on.

I don't doubt that some farmers will turn out cattle to deter users of rights of way, but remember that there are some farms where every field is crossed by a footpath or bridlepath, in fact I counted up that we only have a couple of fields where there isn't a footpath. Some are virtually never used, others are used frequently.

I think that if this is a bridlepath that is used a lot, and/or you have been at risk it could be worth speaking to the county council to see if there is a possible solution regarding fencing off the bridlepath if only temporary.
There was a case in the country where a rider was using a bridlepath and some, dairy cows I think, were crowding round the gate and frightened the horse and her saddle was damaged. The County Council officer talked to the farmer and some fencing was put in place.
 

MissTyc

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You've had great advice. We have to ride through a cow field on one our routes. There is a massive Hereford bull that belongs to that farm. Over the years, I've realised I much prefer riding through the field when he is there as the cows are much calmer when he's in sight, even when there are young calves. Unsupervised youngstock are definitely the most scary to ride through as they reeeeeeally wanna come play and some horses take offence to that.
 
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Thank you all for your replies. They have been most helpful.
There are other bridleways to explore around our yard, this one is just a particular favourite amongst us liveries.
As I say he seemed quiet enough. Curious more than anything but I'm not ashamed to confess it was a frightening encounter as did not expect to see him and my gosh he was a huge chap!
Thank you all for your advice. Can I just ask, in an emergency, if the bull or some of the cows had turned aggressive, what would those of you with experience around cattle do in that situation? I hope this never occurs obviously but would like to be prepared just in case.
 
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JBM

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If cattle get aggressive you leave
I once had to jump though a hedge to avoid a bull..dairy bull
If they’re only warning you Move quietly and calmly no sudden movements and keep your eyes on them
If you have a dog let the dog go..It can run faster than you (only if they’re chasing you)
 
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