Footpath use?

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planete

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I heve just read that leading a horse along a footpath is allowed. Is there any way of checking whether this is true? According to the writer it is only riding that is not allowed. I cannot help feeling that if this were true it would be a well known fact but a very slight glimmer of hope in me is prompting the question. We have a total absence of bridleways in my area and joining the local lanes by leading along a footpath would mean some nice circular rides would become possible.
 
I ride on a long track that is designated as a footpath all the time, and so do lots of other local riders. It links two bridleways. Nobody minds, it's quite wide and is surfaced. I'd say it depends on local circumstances and geography, but given the number of blocked bridleways and the danger we face on the roads, a bit of judicious rule bending/breaking seems to me to be justified.
 
I did read rule 54 before posting. It does not specify whether ridden or led and most people assume horse use=ridden horse. Is it specified anywhere that led horses must not be taken on one as opposed to ridden ones? (Fully aware I may be being obtuse!😀)
 
planete said:
I heve just read that leading a horse along a footpath is allowed. Is there any way of checking whether this is true? According to the writer it is only riding that is not allowed. I cannot help feeling that if this were true it would be a well known fact but a very slight glimmer of hope in me is prompting the question. We have a total absence of bridleways in my area and joining the local lanes by leading along a footpath would mean some nice circular rides would become possible.
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Try claiming it is your ‘therapy animal’ that you are walking with, and cite Equalities!
Our local council has permitted some llama leading on a linking footpath, for mental health/ green prescribing reasons (excuses).
 
Landcruiser said:
I ride on a long track that is designated as a footpath all the time, and so do lots of other local riders. It links two bridleways. Nobody minds, it's quite wide and is surfaced. I'd say it depends on local circumstances and geography, but given the number of blocked bridleways and the danger we face on the roads, a bit of judicious rule bending/breaking seems to me to be justified.
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If you and or others have been doing so for at least 20 years, you must get a Definitive Map Modification Order claim in to have this route upgraded to public Bridleway.
(Unless it already has a ‘permissive status’?)
Contact the British Horse Society, or Open Spaces Society - definitely not the Ramblers - and ensure this is legitimised for perpetuity.
An APPG Report, ‘Outdoors for All’, has just been published, horse riders’ needs are included, and all riders who use public routes and highways ought to know how to lobby their MPs to improve the situation.
 
spacefaer said:
Same rule,applies to cycles but round here, rhe cyclists just lift their bikes over them
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Lots of cyclists just rip the fences down around here. I’ve had pieces of wood left in the field where the horses are with nails sticking up and wire cut - because lifting bikes over spoils the ride. When I’ve caught people riding on the footpath they say bikes are allowed on footpaths and there’s nothing I can do as there’s no way of identification. It drives me nuts. I think bikes actually need a form of registration plate nowadays so they can be held responsible for their behaviour on roads and tracks.
 
Also worth bearing in mind that some footpaths are 'lost' bridleways and if you can find evidence for this there is a case for having them re-instated.

There is one near me that is marked on some very old OS maps as a 'Bridlepath' (and is really good for a canter in the right conditions) so I really need to pull my finger out to get this submitted for the definitive map.
 
It depends where it is too, in the woods near us lots of people ride on all sorts of tracks be it bridleway or footpath (as long as it's wide enough) but I wouldn't ride across a footpath through a farmers field for example. a) due to gates and b) because the farmer will have planned his land based on what traffic he may expect in any one place.
 
Exasperated said:
If you and or others have been doing so for at least 20 years, you must get a Definitive Map Modification Order claim in to have this route upgraded to public Bridleway.
(Unless it already has a ‘permissive status’?)
Contact the British Horse Society, or Open Spaces Society - definitely not the Ramblers - and ensure this is legitimised for perpetuity.
An APPG Report, ‘Outdoors for All’, has just been published, horse riders’ needs are included, and all riders who use public routes and highways ought to know how to lobby their MPs to improve the situation.
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I have done this a few years ago as there were several footpaths which had been used by horses without challenge for more than 20 years. We now have a several mile circular bridle route
I must add it took a lot of time and effort to achieve this but it was worth it
 
planete said:
I heve just read that leading a horse along a footpath is allowed. Is there any way of checking whether this is true? According to the writer it is only riding that is not allowed. I cannot help feeling that if this were true it would be a well known fact but a very slight glimmer of hope in me is prompting the question. We have a total absence of bridleways in my area and joining the local lanes by leading along a footpath would mean some nice circular rides would become possible.
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In your situation: leading along the footpath when it is unlikely to be teeming with walkers; standing fully aside for all legitimate users; ensuring any manure is kicked right off the path; is a highly sensible way to proceed in order to reach quieter roads for your riding.
Read the APPG Outdoors for All, contact the BHS Access dept with info on your Bridleway deficit, and look at how best to obtain upgrades to optimise use of these routes.
Remember, cyclists also need Bridleways to safely get off the roads, bridleways are the ‘egalitarian’ PROWs for vulnerable users, and many footpaths recorded on the DM had traditionally higher rights - eg. Pack routes.
 
Ruftys mum said:
I have done this a few years ago as there were several footpaths which had been used by horses without challenge for more than 20 years. We now have a several mile circular bridle route
I must add it took a lot of time and effort to achieve this but it was worth it
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Yes it does! (Heartfelt)
Good for you.
 
adamntitch said:
i would just do it play Dum if asked unless your leading a mad horse be surprised how many areas people ride on and suppose not allowed as long as not causeing a danger or a pain to anyone else cant see the problem dog walkers and bike peeps are far more a pain
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I was going to say that, go early and go quietly and kick poo to the side.
 
You are not allowed to ride a horse on a Public Footpath, unless you believe that it is of a higher status, such as a Bridleway, Restricted Byway or a Byway, in which case you should contact your local BHS Access officer and ask them to assist you in getting it upgraded to a path of a higher status. The real problem is that the authorities could stop you from using the path, in which case that is the end of it, so it is always best to attempt to make an application to make it of a higher status. To contact your local BHS Access Officer: https://www.bhs.org.uk/bhs-in-your-area/
 
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