Colts and footpaths

rupertsmum

rupertsmum

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My new sec A 2 yr old colt is arriving soon and will be turned out with the TB. However a footpath goes across the field. Are there any laws about footpaths and colts/stallions, such as notices? I'm assuming it's allowed as bulls are allowed in field with footpaths. any ideas?
 
We had 3 2yo colts in with our herd and with busy public footpaths through all fields. They have now been put in their own paddock and are fenced away from the public routes, more because I don't want them bothered by people and dogs rather than anything else. I am pretty sure that you cannot put a stallion in a field crossed by a bridleway but don't know of any rules regarding footpaths. If you decide to put signs up be very careful how you word them, don't make yourself liable if anything happens!
 
I've been told by the farmer which I rent stables / fields off that my 2yo colt can not go in a particular field as they aren't allowed by law. He also said bulls should NOT be in any field with a public footpath running through, as like a stallion will do anything to protect it's herd (and that will include mowing you or your dog down!)

I was chased by a bull which was sharing our horses field with his females, my pony had been sedated to have X-rays done so was dead to the world when I was trying to drag her away from this bull charging at us. I really should have said something as there was a public footpath running through that field which was used by many people. At the time I didn't realise he shouldn't have been in there :rolleyes:

So yes as far as im aware and have been told the rule applies to both colts / stallions and bulls!
 
Afraid not. A bull over 10 months old of a recognised beef breed can be turned out with females in a field crossed by a public right of way. There are NO laws at all about horses/colts/stallions in fields with public rights of way, including bridlepaths.

However, a landowner has a duty of care and if the animals are known to be a danger then they should not be turned out.

I have been battling this issue for years as there are a couple of bridlepaths in the county that in one case a lot of young horses are turned out, and another a stallion and a couple of mares are turned out in. In both cases riders do not wish to enter the fields and so cannot use the bridepaths, but the County Council do nothing. They did do something when a rider and the saddle was damaged by a herd of milking cows.

Ramblers using a footpath are probably more liable to complain than riders wanting to use a bridlepath.

When I turned out my rather grumpy mare out in a field with a footpath I fenced her off from the path, in case she kicked someone and the local CC path officer was pleased to see that. I agree about the possible disturbance from uncontrolled dogs.
 
Just like to add that PonyFeet's farmer is giving good advice so as to avoid trouble, but it isn't the law. Still if it is his land he can impose what rules he likes. Sensible not to have a colt in a field crossed by members of the public.
 
ORANGEHORSE said:
Just like to add that PonyFeet's farmer is giving good advice so as to avoid trouble, but it isn't the law. Still if it is his land he can impose what rules he likes. Sensible not to have a colt in a field crossed by members of the public.
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Thank you for correcting me! I wasn't sure if it was law or not, that's just what I had been told :D
 
I feel your worry, I had a similar situation with ben, there was a byway that ran straight through his field, I thoroughly checked this out and there are no laws against it, he was in there with bullocks but the neighbours were so sodding narky about it (well not all, those who knew about horses thought he was fabulous!) In the end we moved him over the road out of harms way because I ended up not wanting them near him, he was so friendly and I didn't want them to hurt him. Sometimes even if you are leagally within your right to do something the backlash is just not worth the hassle or stress. Perhaps just suck it and see?
 
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