I just don't think I want to ride on the roads anymore :-(

Am feeling your pain OP......... everyone thinks that living in Devon there'd be loads of off-road hacking and lovely places to go: but it isn't!

Having said that, where I am is a lot better than a lot of places where there is NO off-road places to go whatsoever - it IS possible to get up to the common even though its a three-hour round ride and by the time you've got there you've just got time (and energy!) for a quick breeze and then you have to hack back again - all roadwork :(

I'm seriously thinking of getting my own transport, when/if ever, funds permit.

So feeling your pain OP :(:(:(

I just DREAM of living in a place like Exmoor or Dartmoor where you'd just go straight up a track and go go go.......... no cars, no buses, no bleddi cyclists....... bliss
 
I remember your accident Tobiano1984 and I remember being absolutely horrified about what you went through. I think you have done fantastically well getting back on board and hacking agin.

I must confess I haven't read all of the replies on this thread but if it were me I would speak to the farmer and explain what happened and why being allowed to ride on that piece of track would mean so much to you. I guess he would be worried about creating "precedent" but you can always promise that you will convey to the other liveries that only you have permission to ride on it and that none of them are allowed to follow suit. You have nothing to lose. He can only say no. In fact, if it were me I would be asking him whether he has any other appropriate tracks he would let you ride on in return for a small payment per month. I am about to ask a local farmer if I can truck down his private drive with my horse to use his tarmac road for hill work in winter as I have already taken the decision not to ride on the roads.
 
The trouble is that if the farmer consults his insurance company they will all shout "potential liability" even if you offer to sign a piece of paper saying that it is at your own risk. Some old timers will say, OK go ahead, but the younger generation might baulk; it is also a polite way of saying "I don't want you." A landowner has a duty of care to anyone on their land and that frightens a lot of people.
 
I feel for you, I dread going out on the roads and since moving from the previous yard I was at, I haven't taken my mare out further than the end of our half a mile drive, even though the area is horsey and having been out on a push bike people were very considerate. I've just seen too many horrific things over the years and had too many inconsiderate drivers (and cyclists!!) over the years.

Have a look for off road rides in your area, farm rides etc.
 
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