footpath signs

SEL

SEL

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New field has a footpath diagonally across it - as do most of the others on the yard. Not an issue right now because there's so much grass I can fence off - but they'll need all of it in winter.

What signs can I put up without risking admitting any form of liability if people are idiots.

I need dogs on leads and want to say something about not approaching, stroking or feeding the horses (because they may bite / kick). If i leave out the bit in brackets is that ok?
 
To be fair to M, I want to do the same every time you post a photo of him, he is just very adorable 🙈
However, I appreciate that isn't a very helpful answer, sorry.
Do you have BHS gold cover- could you maybe try their legal line just for advice on what might or might not be good to put?
Something like 'For everyone's safety please keep to the footpath and have dogs on leads.' Or similar maybe?
 
chaps89 said:
To be fair to M, I want to do the same every time you post a photo of him, he is just very adorable 🙈
However, I appreciate that isn't a very helpful answer, sorry.
Do you have BHS gold cover- could you maybe try their legal line just for advice on what might or might not be good to put?
Something like 'For everyone's safety please keep to the footpath and have dogs on leads.' Or similar maybe?
Click to expand...

And he puts those big brown eyes to good use too! Good point on the BHS- yes I do have cover and I forgot about them!
 
I have two separate signs at either end of the footpath across my field.

One is plain white and says 'please keep dogs on the footpath and on a lead'.

The other is red and white and says 'please do not touch or feed the horses'.

Both are metal and fixed to solid wood backs which are nailed to the gate/fence.

I've also fenced the foot path off with electric fencing, it does seem to deter all but the hard core nutters from feeding the horses. Of course, that does mean more signs as required when using electric fencing where it runs by a public right of way.

A field near me has none of these precautions and a few weeks ago a little boy had his front teeth kicked out by a horse that followed his family before lashing out when they didn't give it treats.
 
I'm not sure I could resist an M cuddle either! Sorry. But I wouldn't give him treats I promise!

Not sure what the answer is regarding signs. I would be tempted to fence the path off if possible.
 
I too would electric fence both sides of the foot path with appropriate signage. You could approach the council for a diversion so the footpath goes around the edge rather than diagonally across. It is something that happens a lot round here. The signs just say diverted not adopted route
 
If you put words as in brackets, you are admitting that your horse is dangerous and if someone is injured and takes you to court you are fighting a loosing battle, ditto dog signs on gates.
 
SEL said:
New field has a footpath diagonally across it - as do most of the others on the yard. Not an issue right now because there's so much grass I can fence off - but they'll need all of it in winter.

What signs can I put up without risking admitting any form of liability if people are idiots.

I need dogs on leads and want to say something about not approaching, stroking or feeding the horses (because they may bite / kick). If i leave out the bit in brackets is that ok?
Click to expand...
Sounds like a good plan to me.
 
SEL said:
New field has a footpath diagonally across it - as do most of the others on the yard. Not an issue right now because there's so much grass I can fence off - but they'll need all of it in winter.

What signs can I put up without risking admitting any form of liability if people are idiots.

I need dogs on leads and want to say something about not approaching, stroking or feeding the horses (because they may bite / kick). If i leave out the bit in brackets is that ok?
Click to expand...

I would put the bit in brackets, therefore you have warned them, people dont care..

I have a sign on my door saying please do not feed the horse , he has allergies but ive witnessed kids trying to give him half a cheese sandwich etc makes me rage why they just couldnt mind their own kids lol 😂
 
I think I'll see if the BHS can give me any advice. I can't 1/2 the field because there isn't water in the bottom 1/2.

I'm just a bit worried that people going up and cuddling / treating the big lad will cause the mare to get tetchy. She has no sense of personal space at the best of times so if she goes barging in after treats it could get messy.

It'll be a while until the whole field is opened up so it'll give me a chance to see how many people use the path. You can see a track so it's definitely in use. Maybe I build walkers some kind of tunnel safe zone .
 
I can't put much on here, as its ongoing... but I am currently being sued ( or attempting to) for a horse biting someone on a footpath on my land as he hit the horse jn the face so it nipped him, resulting in a mild bruise.
If you have any specific questions I am getting quite clued up on this but basically don't ever admit any liabilty, do not put horses that have ever bitten or kicked on the footpath (believe me they are really invasive, every vet check, need to provide numerous references for the horse etc) and you use electric fencing, even over the footpath if you provide insulated handles and clearly label it.
Its ridiculous butmyou cannot be to careful. Also make sure ypu double check with your insurance or get insurance asap. It costs me a few hundred more each because of the footpath carry on.
 
dominobrown said:
I can't put much on here, as its ongoing... but I am currently being sued ( or attempting to) for a horse biting someone on a footpath on my land as he hit the horse jn the face so it nipped him, resulting in a mild bruise.
If you have any specific questions I am getting quite clued up on this but basically don't ever admit any liabilty, do not put horses that have ever bitten or kicked on the footpath (believe me they are really invasive, every vet check, need to provide numerous references for the horse etc) and you use electric fencing, even over the footpath if you provide insulated handles and clearly label it.
Its ridiculous butmyou cannot be to careful. Also make sure ypu double check with your insurance or get insurance asap. It costs me a few hundred more each because of the footpath carry on.
Click to expand...
Thats awful your going through that! 😶
 
As it's regularly walked, I would go with something friendly, along the lines of:

The horse in this field is 'Neddy', he is generally very friendly, please do not be frightened of him, but there are a few things you can do to to keep you both safe.

-Keep your dog on a lead
-Keep to the marked path
-Don't approach or feed him

Sincerely, XXXXXX
Any problems, call XXXX XXXXXXX
 
I have a field that has a public footpath running through it too..I usually fence off with electric fencing to the side running along the fence, (with a sign to say either the fence isn’t on or off)..when I hadn’t fenced off one time, I actually saw a bloke cuddling my beast, and I mean cuddling, arms round his neck etc! I was astounded that said beast would actually let him do that as he can be a grumpy so n so sometimes! No harm done he caught up with his fellow walkers and beast carried on grazing..but because he can be grumpy, I thought it best to fence off for the well-being of walkers dogs and my beast.all safe on each side..
I would imagine in your situation, running a fence along the edge of the field wouldn’t be too much of a detour for walkers, unless a stickler for exactingly pathways complains.
you could have the whole field for winter grazing. Is that a possibility? Signage, I just have a sign for electric fencing on/off..most people are decent enough to put their dogs on leads.
 
dominobrown said:
I can't put much on here, as its ongoing... but I am currently being sued ( or attempting to) for a horse biting someone on a footpath on my land as he hit the horse jn the face so it nipped him, resulting in a mild bruise.
If you have any specific questions I am getting quite clued up on this but basically don't ever admit any liabilty, do not put horses that have ever bitten or kicked on the footpath (believe me they are really invasive, every vet check, need to provide numerous references for the horse etc) and you use electric fencing, even over the footpath if you provide insulated handles and clearly label it.
Its ridiculous butmyou cannot be to careful. Also make sure ypu double check with your insurance or get insurance asap. It costs me a few hundred more each because of the footpath carry on.
Click to expand...

That sounds a nightmare. Having watched a lady with a tiny child and a dog off the lead walk across it today, my current plan is not to open the whole field up at all.

The field next door has 2 horses in. They wandered over (tiny child) & patted them with the dog all over the place.

PM me if you prefer given the circumstances but what insurances are you dealing with this under?
 
I have yard insurance with shearwater who have been great. The horse (which was not mine) is also insured.

Think it is why I haven't posted here, or done much myself in the last year or so. To say I am a bit stressed/ anixety is an understatement.
 
I think I would fence off the footpath as it is and keep them in one half or the other, using buckets for water when they are in the no water half. And a nice sign, no liability admitted, like scruffyponies suggests.
 
Diverting the path is an option but you need the relevant permissions and of course need the signs the width is the biggest issue it has to be 2 meters wide and smoothish walking. I wouldnt suggest just fencing off the path without first making sure the other bit is safe and secure for the walkers
 
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