Council spends £32k on improvements H&H story

The pictures used for article make it look very scary, however other pictures I've seen actually make it look quite inviting with nice shallow steps and easy splash through the water. Not that my pony would be keen as she's not a fan of water but I do think that it's an improvement and the majority of horses will cross it fine with some training and patience 🙂
 
teapot said:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/new...on-concrete-steps-to-improve-bridleway-901051 Someone's posted a video of how it rides, can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10237993687196511&id=1090520948

I don't think I've ever seen something like on a bridleway - I thought resurfacing the old Meonstoke railway line was bad enough. Is anyone local to this?
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??? What is your actual objection? What is ‘bad’ about this, please?
It appears to be an all weather, PROW, solution, enabling multi users to access and cross a Ford / stream in greater safety than previously.
 
Exasperated said:
??? What is your actual objection? What is ‘bad’ about this, please?
It appears to be an all weather, PROW, solution, enabling multi users to access and cross a Ford / stream in greater safety than previously.
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I didn’t actually say I had an objection anywhere in that post? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have questions over steps surrounded by water and trees in winter months, and wonder whether it’s been truly thought through for those with horses that aren’t great with gates (apparently the latches aren’t overly user friendly). Or for those who venture off road with a buggy too.

My bad comment was in relation to a resurfacing of a local byway.
 
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Exasperated said:
Yes, horses can be shy of entering unfamiliar water, and being able to lead them through (rather than dancing about, plucking up courage) can be far more sensible - depends on the horse, the rider, the precise situation - so if dismounting to lead through the gates, negotiate the steps and ford is your safer option, maybe only until your horse has got used to it - 100% good idea and appropriate solution.
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The problem is water doesn't stay the same, it will be deeper, faster moving, shallow so never becomes familiar.

Even my previous good with water horse had a little look when we'd had a lot of rain.

Current wary of water horse (the one who fell over), I wouldn't use the the route anymore. One step backwards and he could end up on his bottom. I was very lucky I wasn't landed on but no wish to test out if he misses me every time by setting up a similar scenario.

He's one that I can lead through anything but once on his back it's different However the faff of getting off every hack would put me off especially now a dodgy knee means I can't get on from the ground. And in winter it may be over your boots to walk through.

So steps on their own ok, walking into or hopping down into water without something behind ok but having had a similar one I can see the potential for an accident with the combination.
 
I’m not recoiling in horror.

I imagine some horses might not take to the steps initially, but should after getting led up and down a few times.

From what the pictures and comments indicate, there are quite strep bank down, which must at times get fairly slippy. Comments indicate it turns into a bog over winter. So actually this route isn’t the most accessible 365 days anyway, the changes have likely made it accessible for longer and to a wider audience than before.

Plus it says there is an alternative route anyway.

I’m just impressed a council funded that tbh!

Oh, and it’s weirdo Mr Mo person moaning the most
 
I can see in time they may become slippery if covered in moss etc. right now they look quite inviting, wouldn’t mind having a go, would teach my youngster to think about where he’s putting his feet 😂
 
I saw this on HH and could not see what the fuss was all about. Hacking involves lots of natural or man-made obstacles to traverse. If your horse has an issue with any specific area, train them! (Gates, water, steps, rocky paths etc etc etc). I've ridden up and down far more challenging terrain. At times, hopping off to let my horse pick her own way down as it was so steep and rocky.
 
Ambers Echo said:
I saw this on HH and could not see what the fuss was all about. Hacking involves lots of natural or man-made obstacles to traverse. If your horse has an issue with any specific area, train them! (Gates, water, steps, rocky paths etc etc etc). I've ridden up and down far more challenging terrain. At times, hopping off to let my horse pick her own way down as it was so steep and rocky.
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Exactly this! Train up your horse or use the alternative route, simple really.
 

Ambers Echo said:
I saw this on HH and could not see what the fuss was all about. Hacking involves lots of natural or man-made obstacles to traverse. If your horse has an issue with any specific area, train them! (Gates, water, steps, rocky paths etc etc etc). I've ridden up and down far more challenging terrain. At times, hopping off to let my horse pick her own way down as it was so steep and rocky.
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this. People never used to have a problem doing gates, doing water, rocky paths or most other things. They just got on and did them or found a way around the problem. If a horse cannot do gates then train it. If not people will just have to get off.
I would be beyond embarrassed to say my horse was not well enough trained to do that gate. :D
 
Someone I know has just recorded herself and her horse doing this and tagged the original person complaining in it, it looks fine, gates look easy to do, she said the concrete had like a rough surface so shouldn't get slippery when wet and also there was a diversion of you didn't want to do it. I'm not sure why people are complaining, I'm sure they would complain if the council did nothing or their bridleways shut completely.
 
Completely disagree with needing to be able to get on from the ground. I have a knackered hip and mostly hack on my tall ISH. On the rare occasions I have to get off, there’s absolutely no way I can get back on unless I can find something tall to climb onto first. It’s never been an issue as she’s good to lead and I don’t hack further than I can walk. Not that I would get on from the floor anyway as I value my horse’s back.
 
lme said:
Completely disagree with needing to be able to get on from the ground. I have a knackered hip and mostly hack on my tall ISH. On the rare occasions I have to get off, there’s absolutely no way I can get back on unless I can find something tall to climb onto first. It’s never been an issue as she’s good to lead and I don’t hack further than I can walk. Not that I would get on from the floor anyway as I value my horse’s back.
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You’re clearly one of the riders who would benefit from some form of mounting block. You’re not on your own, altho maybe don’t ride as far as some would like to ride, and Equalities Act should be cited if there are bridlegates you need to dismount for.
The classic case is riders using the actual bridlegates as ladders to climb back onto their horse, thus bug*ering up any hinges, latch and spring mechanisms for subsequent users.
Gates vary widely in design and state of repair. If the rider and horse are likely to be safer negotiating on foot - get off!
 
criso said:
The problem is water doesn't stay the same, it will be deeper, faster moving, shallow so never becomes familiar.

Even my previous good with water horse had a little look when we'd had a lot of rain.

Current wary of water horse (the one who fell over), I wouldn't use the the route anymore. One step backwards and he could end up on his bottom. I was very lucky I wasn't landed on but no wish to test out if he misses me every time by setting up a similar scenario.

He's one that I can lead through anything but once on his back it's different However the faff of getting off every hack would put me off especially now a dodgy knee means I can't get on from the ground. And in winter it may be over your boots to walk through.

So steps on their own ok, walking into or hopping down into water without something behind ok but having had a similar one I can see the potential for an accident with the combination.
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Fair enough, if it is unsuitable for your horse and the alternative route is no good for that horse’s sensibilities either, just use during summer drought, or hack somewhere else.
I’m guessing that considerably more local riders than before (bikes and horses) will be able to enjoy it, though.
Hope so, anyway!
 
lme said:
Completely disagree with needing to be able to get on from the ground. I have a knackered hip and mostly hack on my tall ISH. On the rare occasions I have to get off, there’s absolutely no way I can get back on unless I can find something tall to climb onto first. It’s never been an issue as she’s good to lead and I don’t hack further than I can walk. Not that I would get on from the floor anyway as I value my horse’s back.
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Agreed. I can’t get on off the floor, well I can but not in a manner that is good for my horse’s back! I’ll only get off if there is something I can use as a mounting block and I don’t trust a gate. Plus my weight would damage the hinges (I’m not that heavy but they aren’t designed for extra human weight)
 
I don't get on from the ground. Dodgy knee makes it extremely uncomfortable. My horses are taught to be mounted/dismounted from either side, so if I do need to scramble onto something or they need to drop down into a dip for me, there is less faff involved.
 
Exasperated said:
Fair enough, if it is unsuitable for your horse and the alternative route is no good for that horse’s sensibilities either, just use during summer drought, or hack somewhere else.
I’m guessing that considerably more local riders than before (bikes and horses) will be able to enjoy it, though.
Hope so, anyway!
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I don't know what the alternative route is so no idea whether it would be suitable and it's hundreds of miles away so no, won't be hacking there at any time of the year.

How it was before wouldn't have worried me though.

It would have been very easy to design it better so that the bit going into the water was a wider slope not a step so the entrance into the water is from a flat surface.

ETA there is trend round here though for putting concrete like surfaces on bridleways to help cyclists and none of the horseriders thought it was an improvement.
 
teapot said:
I didn’t actually say I had an objection anywhere in that post? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I have questions over steps surrounded by water and trees in winter months, and wonder whether it’s been truly thought through for those with horses that aren’t great with gates (apparently the latches aren’t overly user friendly). Or for those who venture off road with a buggy too.

My bad comment was in relation to a resurfacing of a local byway.
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Sorry, it reads as though you believe this renovation is worse in some way than the other route you mention.
Agreed, some gate latches are atrociously poor for riders, hazardous even, in which case - get off and manhandle it from the ground, but other riders may be stronger / more agile / have placid horses to wrangle from onboard.
I don’t think this is a carriage route? although some of the all terrain chariots for disabled drivers can negotiate steps. If you think it unsuitable during the winter, apparently there is an alternative route you can use.
I am just bowled over that the local authority has had the gumption to engineer this, and really pleased for all those who will now be able to enjoy the route.
 
I would prefer this to our Ford crossing. To start with the path is so overgrown with nettles I've had a pony bolt through them flat out because of getting stung, and then the ford itself is now a disintegrating river bank.

The river borders 2 counties with neither council wanting to take responsibility. Its also not accessible by road to private individuals so can't drive over with a DIY kit (& strimmer!).

But there is a lovely footbridge the ramblers put in for walkers and having had to walk the pony over it in an emergency I know she'll happily navigate elevated steps, slippery rocks etc. I got off so she could sort her feet without my weight getting in the way.

I can also recommend strategically placed logs in areas where riders often have to dismount!
 
SEL said:
I would prefer this to our Ford crossing. To start with the path is so overgrown with nettles I've had a pony bolt through them flat out because of getting stung, and then the ford itself is now a disintegrating river bank.

The river borders 2 counties with neither council wanting to take responsibility. Its also not accessible by road to private individuals so can't drive over with a DIY kit (& strimmer!).

But there is a lovely footbridge the ramblers put in for walkers and having had to walk the pony over it in an emergency I know she'll happily navigate elevated steps, slippery rocks etc. I got off so she could sort her feet without my weight getting in the way.

I can also recommend strategically placed logs in areas where riders often have to dismount!
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A quiet horse led over an accessible footbridge is fine - and you are actually on foot, just wait / give way if any walkers wanting to cross.
Depends how quiet the horse is: two friends and I took two weed slashers (machetes, shaped like a golf club) wrapped in a rucksack, took turns to decimate a dense patch of thistles, nettles and brambles and thoroughly clear the way, while other held the horses. Maybe 15 mins work, lasted two seasons.
I suppose technically we were carrying bladed articles in a public place, but, hey!
 
Having seen a horse straddle a foot bridge and have to be rescued by the fire brigade, by which time it had broken its front teeth, its jaw and nicked an artery, please never ride over a footbridge.
 
Clodagh said:
Having seen a horse straddle a foot bridge and have to be rescued by the fire brigade, by which time it had broken its front teeth, its jaw and nicked an artery, please never ride over a footbridge.
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Well, use common sense, if narrow with open sides, or handropes and slats - bad idea!
Newer installations should have the lower sides filled, so dogs and children are safer, and be wide enough for a wheelchair / mobility scooter.
 
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