Horses being herded along bridleway

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Christmas Crumpet

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Just wanted people's opinions on this.

Woman in village was moving horses from one field to another (different ends of village). She decided to lead them down the bridleway which goes along the back of the village. It also goes along the side of my field.

I had led horse out off another on Sunday morning and we'd been out for 2 hours so good long ride. Turned him out and carried on doing jobs in house.

Got phonecall to say horse had jumped out and was galloping all round a drilled field. Went to go and get him and he was quite upset but gave him a carrot and then turned him back out where he went back to eating grass quite happily. Thought he must have jumped the fence out.

Anyway I then get a call from the woman who said she'd been leading horses until she got to big field where the bridleway goes along the side of my field. Think of a square field with a smaller field in corner. She said she let go of her horses and let them wander up the field past my field and my horse jumped out and started chasing hers. I thought this sounded very strange because he is the quietest thing in the field ever. The racehorses go past every day (5 lots a day) and he never even blinks. He's got 3 racehorses in field next to him and is quite happy.

I spoke to a friend's mum yesterday who said her horses hate it when loose horses are moved through the bridleway next to her - some woman does parelli with hers - and the horses go mad.

Because I wasn't there I can't comment really so might be clutching at straws but all I can think is a) the horses were galloping along the field and bridleway or b) my horse got really wound up by them being loose. The woman didn't give me much information except kept saying it was a situation that she defused because of being so calm and that her big mare went for my horse to protect her or something. She also kept saying "your horse obviously needs company" - he has horses next to him and he isn't a clingy horse. He's quite happy with his own company in the field so she's got that wrong.

I just don't understand what would have made him react the way he did. He is so quiet!!

Was rather upset because he had a big leg yesterday morning but thankfully was going to vets anyway and vet reckons its just bruised because swelling only on inside of near fore and to bute, cold hose and exercise gently.

Any thoughts or ideas?
 
well, i sort of think that if she admitted her horse went for yours, so i would ask her if she knows what happened to your horses leg. if it kicked yours, she should pay for any vet. attention. i wouldnt have thought it was even llegal to have horse loose on a bridleway? it would seem potentailly very dangerous to me, both for other bridlepath users and the horses them selves. ( i wouldnt like to meet a lose horse coming around a bend on the path, if i was riding) i am sure there is a law that says you must have any animal under control in public.
 
I thought I was right to be upset. Bloody woman.

The worst thing is that she works in the shop and her husband is a farmworker on the estate we live on so I have to see her quite regularily.

The guy that trains at home said he would be absolutely livid if it was him and if any of the racehorses had been out they would have jumped out too.

Poor little Bog horse. Its just sods law that I didn't see what happened.
 
If her horses had hurt a person she'd be liable under the Animals Act 1970, maybe mention that in passing and see if the risk of being sued concentrates the mind. I'd be cross too!
 
Its people like her who give horse people a bad name.

Highway code: not under horses but "other animals":

44. Animals being herded. These should be kept under control at all times. You should, if possible, send another person along the road in front to warn other road users, especially at a bend or the brow of a hill. It is safer not to move animals after dark, but if you do, then wear reflective clothing and ensure that lights are carried (white at the front and red at the rear of the herd).

Were hers under control at all times? Sounds like they were hooleying about to me. Don't think you'd be able to prove it, but if you can catch her with photographic evidence then you could act under the law to prevent it in future. I would havea quiet word with her first though, and explain you don't see how it is likely that he would have jumped out if the horses had been passing under control and sensibly, and politely ask that she makes sure hers are under full control when passing your field to prevent future accidents.
 
I hate to be unsupportive here but, well... if I've understood correctly a lady was doing *something* (possibly stupid) with her horse(s) on a place where she and they had a right to be. Your horse was upset by this and jumped out of the field you keep him in.

To ask her to be considerate (perhaps like a hunt she could warn you when she is going to be herding near by? And obviously you can ask her if she cd ensure they go past quietly...) is fine but there are horses in fields all over the country with *all sorts* of things near them (other livestock, major roads, shoots etc) and not all of them jump out.

Could you borrow a temporary (v calm) companion for yours and practice some others (ask the parelli lady for when she'll be going by anyway?) being herded past to desensitise? Or double fence (w electric) the bits on the bridleway side?

Unfortunately people do seem to have a right to herd along the bridleway/roads and with the best will in the world flight animals will sometimes take off. So, anything you can do to relax your boy/make him getting out harder would be useful.
 
Doesn't sound like she had control of them. How many was she herding?

Whack her with the vets bill before she spouts more rubbish.
 
Totally agree with Tharg.

Silly bat shouldn't have them loose in public.
mad.gif
 
When a horse is being ridden or lead along a bridleway it must be kept under control at all times and must stick to the line of the bridleway (unless there is an obstruction). To use a bridleway the horse must be being ridden or being lead under control of for instance a lead rope. Horses may not be driven along a bridleway.
 
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