Changing footpaths into Bridle paths where accessible to do so

Not sure about this one... yes, bridlepaths are good, getting horses off the road is good, but what about all the walkers that use the footpaths? You only have to read a few old threads (or just go out for a walk!) to see how much contempt some riders seem to hold walkers in, unfortunately. I've had many bad experiences with inconsiderate and rude riders on shared access paths and land, afraid to say I would have reservations about sharing more paths with some of the riders I have met:(
 
Spudlet said:
Not sure about this one... yes, bridlepaths are good, getting horses off the road is good, but what about all the walkers that use the footpaths? You only have to read a few old threads (or just go out for a walk!) to see how much contempt some riders seem to hold walkers in, unfortunately. I've had many bad experiences with inconsiderate and rude riders on shared access paths and land, afraid to say I would have reservations about sharing more paths with some of the riders I have met:(
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That's a pity, we all slow to a walk or stand still when we come across walkers. We have a public access wood near us and all the riders I have come across are very considerate.

I also enjoy walking and cycling, I would love for everyone to see it from each others point of view and learn consideration - perhaps it's a dying art :(
 
Agree HB and lots of gates and stiles would need altering plus allowable width public rights of ways does decrease value of land, as a farmer and horse rider rather see existing bridle paths made.safer ESP where expected to cross use roads, recently with help of BHS got railway sides up to recommended height.
 
I agree with HB too.
I do have a bridle path going across one of my fields. It is not easy as there is a hunting gate from the neighbours field, over a bridge - which we re-built this spring to make it easier (at our expense) and then a gate into our field with another out of the field.

Many times the gates are left open and as there is a greyhound all weather track along the bottom of the field the number of times riders have cantered their horses along it despite notices, is ridiculous especially as it designed for dogs so, in the wet, the horses sink down to above their fetlocks.

Many riders are inconsiderate when riding. They think that because it is a bridleway they can just ride along it and when it gets boggy to ride further out.

We are lucky in that there are masses of bridleways around here but, in the winter when it is wet we keep clear of the land that is wet. This means it does not get trodden up and become rough and pitted in the summer.

I have been in areas where the riding off road was vitally non existent and I would go to local farmers and ask them permission to ride across their land when it was appropriate. Most were more than helpful and as long as I stuck to the headland never minded at all. A couple of bottles at Christmas always went down well!
 
I can see both sides of the coin here. I know footpaths where field gates were left open and my horse ends up in a completely different field! £kkkk of spent in Herts on footpath bridges and awful metal kissing gates(recession not in Herts...our rural area is looking like town parks) then you dont see a rambler for hours or days! ROWs have alot of money for footpaths in North/East Herts.

I have met rude walkers complaining about dogs and horse manure not being picked up on bridleways...suburbia meets country side.(we now have lots of plastic poo bags in hedges)it costs too much to empty dog poop bins apparently!

But I see horse riders that never thank people or move over so it goes both ways & will use dry bits of verges when they could quite easily stay on the path ie churn it up.

However there are a lot of footpaths that I am sure were bridleways in Herts until ramblers got the bridges etc put in..so less places for horses to go...we have definitely lost riding areas to ramblers..

So I will sign!
 
round my way I can count on one hand the amount of bridlepaths but endless amount of footpaths so were pushed onto the busy rds it wuld b far more safer for all if they change
 
If you want to improve your local off road riding network then I would suggest that you join the BHS (British Horse Society) as they do much work to improve the existing off road riding network.

As regards to the comment about the many new gates on public rights of way in Hertfordshire this is due to recent national legislation which makes it compulsary to ensure that those with disabilities have access to the countryside. Stiles are no longer compliant and are having to be replaced by gates. Where there is stock in fields then kissing gates are used for public footpaths and self closing gates for bridleways.

If you know of existing public footpaths that where previously ridden then you should inform your local BHS accesss officer as they can investigate further to determine if they have been incorrectly recorded and should be of a higher status. If you would like the contact details of your local BHS Access Officer then please contact me on peter.natt@btinternet.com giving me details of your local town and county and I will send you their contact details.

If a bridleway becomes boggy then inform the local access department of your County Council so that drainage/resurfacing can be installed.

Peter Natt BHS Bridleway Officer Hertfordshire
 
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