Help Bridlepaths!

[marbles71]

Can any one help!
We have a lovely bridlepath not far from where I keep my mare, which I have tried to use today! and it was just an accident waiting to happen!
The path is well marked and gated, and basically you travel along the path through an equestrian centre, passing through 3 fields.
Today on approaching the 3rd field closest to the yard itself we were met by several young horses, I dismounted, quietly opened the gate and attempted to walk my girl through on foot, only to be met by teetth and feet!
I heisten to add lots of giggles from the yard!
We turned round!
As much as I do sympathise with the yard that they have a right of way running straight through the middle of it!
I do prefer to try and cover as much off rd as I can! and it is a right of way!
Can anyone tell me if there is anyone I can go to ,not to complain,(although very tempted!) but to find out if this is classed as dangerous?
what if that was a child!
Any advice or ideas on this, would be great! a lovely ride turned into a total nightmare!

 

[yeeharider]

suggest you contact PeterNatt he is an officer for bridleways and replied to my query regarding bridleways and gave me some great info and good contact no's

 

[jinglejoys]

http://www.bridleways.co.uk/default.asp
Try asking here

 

[Annagain]

Try your local authority. We had a situation here where a horse kicked and severly injured a woman walking along a public footpath that ran through its field. According to the local paper the local authority is liable for ensuring that any rights of way are safe not the landowner, so if they know about it they might take action.

 

[marbles71]

Thanks alot folks!
I will certainly look at the links suggested!
I am at work at the mo! but will let you know how I get on!
From what I have since been advised by other local riders, its not the first time some thing like this has happened! which has made me even more determined to get it sorted!
Thanks again!

 

[flowerlady]

Ring your council and ask to speak to the footpaths and bridleways officer. Tell him where it is and he should talk to the equestrian centre. They should have to fence either side of it if the horses are bothering people passing through and may be asked or told to move them until work is done. They may be doing it to try and stop people going through but don't give in to them complain we need all bridleways keeping open.

I've managed to get 4 new bridle gates put in. The farmer has also had to cut a tree back and build a short wall near a ditch where the wall had collapsed. The bridleways office walked with me as I had a 17.1 horse and the tree used to nearly gorot (sp)me. This was with different councils but they are normally very helpful.

 

[PeterNatt]

The first thing to do is to contact the Access Department of your local County Council. My advice would be to write to them by Royal Mail 'Signed for Delivery' so that there is no doubt that they received your letter. Enclose a map which shows the bridleway.

Secondly contact your local BHS Bridleway Officer. If you tell me which county you are in I can forward the contact details.

It sounds to me as if the horses are being a nuisance and the local authority (district council) can use the enviromental act to take action if they do not co-operate with a request to do something about it.

I hope this helps but if you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. You can always p.m. me.

 

[megwan1]

i would first off ring the yard and talk to them as they may appreciate that more than getting a snotty letter from the authorities.... if they dont do anything or are arsy with u then i'd go to the authorities cos at least u gave them a chance