Question about right to roam Scotland

asbo

asbo

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I have just left a large well known equestrian centre with well over 500 acres which liveries are allowed to ride on.
I have been told by a current livery that if the YO catches any non liveries riding on these tracks they chase them off, including putting a 4x4 up the horses backend!!!
I thought under this act non liveries would be actually allowed to ride around the farm provided they stick to the actual bridleways and open woodland areas and didnt ride through fields with cattle/horses/jumps?
 
dumpling said:
I don't think he can do that. Everyone's free to roam in Scotland providing they don't upset livestock etc
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Id check if i was you, im pretty sure you can ride on tracks and forest btw :) but whether you can or cant, the yo has no right to ram anyone and their horse with a 4x4, if he does you can prosecute him, if i were you id get my hands on a hat cam and if you have any bother, flick the record switch and get it on a stick;)
 
asbo said:
I have just left a large well known equestrian centre with well over 500 acres which liveries are allowed to ride on.
I have been told by a current livery that if the YO catches any non liveries riding on these tracks they chase them off, including putting a 4x4 up the horses backend!!!
I thought under this act non liveries would be actually allowed to ride around the farm provided they stick to the actual bridleways and open woodland areas and didnt ride through fields with cattle/horses/jumps?
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You are correct. Best to stick to the tracks (just to avoid damage which would be disallowed) and not allowed in the immediate area of domestic house but yes anyone can use the tracks. NB there isnt normally such a thing as a 'bridleway' in Scotland since there has been a history of access and the land pressures are so much less, horses have similar access rights to pedestrians/cyclists.
 
Thank you, so if YO did happen to come across a non livery riding there and kicked off would you be within your rights to call the police if they tried to throw you off/acted aggressive?
 
She doesn't follow rules! I'd love to see someone phone the police on her! In fact, I remember when the tree huggers were being evicted she had to stay away from the police so she didn't get in trouble (or any more trouble - not sure which one!). Its really not worth the agro!
 
I've asked a similar question to the council up here and they said..........you can ride on the tracks PROVIDING the land owner is not growing a crop - and grass counts as a crop - but they must be growing it to harvest.........just letting it get long to leave it to fall does NOT count.

A yard around here used to do that - - and just the school and yard liveries were allowed to use the woods in the summer. Was pants.
 
You are well within your rights to ride there. Lots of info online http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/out-and-about/recreation-activities/horse-riding/

If he/she kicks off and is aggressive contact the Police and keep a note of every incident. Also contact your local access officer.

Ive had to do all the above due to a horrid little farmer who has done dam near everything to prevent me riding on his tracks. Just waiting on the landmines next LOL!
 
If they are being stroppy about you riding on tracks (that arent near a house) then esp if being threatening yes def call the police.

The thing about fields with crops (incl grass grown for hay) is right, we cultivate a number of fields for hay, 'normal' grass as its for horses not rich seeded stuff for cattle and we would be unhappy if someone rode through the middle trashing it, but they dont they are nice and stick to the tracks. (Also it would send our horses berserk if strange horses started galloping around the fields next to them)
 
There would be zero riding in fields, would all be actual tracks that horses/ walkers/bikes/farm traffic use already and the horses are used to other horses going past, yard has around 100 horses split into 3 different yards & they are not turned out together.
 
in which case I would think legally and neighbourliness wise you are on pretty safe ground. I suspect they a) want people to pay for the privilege by being liveries and b) might be concerned at someone casing the joint but the latter is hardly likely from a horserider and the former isnt a legal basis.

maybe a case for a helmet cam on the riding hat tho....just in case they get nasty, useful to have evidence.
 
I know that you used to pay for a permit as a livery to ride around the estate,mine are retired so i didnt but i had considered it when i get my new one.
 
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