Riding through unknown horses

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poiuytrewq

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The bane of my life local bridleway has thrown me a new challenge!
We had flooding, broken gates, young cattle that chase, older ones with horns that just have too look at me and im intimidated!
Now loose horses, very interested and over friendly loose horses.
How would you cope with this? On the way out I rode through as I didn't even know they were there til they appeared cantering over. They followed us to the gate nibbling my horses tail, He was quite worried by this and although not a kicker under the circumstances I couldn't swear he wouldn't.
They then tried to barge the gate with us. (difficult gate at the best of times)
On the way home I dismounted and tried to keep them back using my whip- never touching them but just trying to scare them off a bit. It didn't work and they again nibbled and licked! my poor horse.
Who is liable here if a horse of either party is kicked or injured- or if one does barge through the gate? My horse is 16.2 ID and one of these towered over him.
Also will it increase the risk of strangles and Herpes? both in my area and ive been very careful to avoid other horses for a long time now.

Over reaction or unsafe?
 
Unsafe. I would speak to the landowner and ask them to fence off the bridlepath or remote the horses. They are effectively preventing you using the bridlepath otherwise and would be liable for accidents caused.

It is not an easy conversation to have but give them some thinking time. We had a similar problem and the landowner initially refused to do anything on the grounds of cost but later fenced it.

We got help from a rights of way person at the local council too and lots of us told the landowner the same thing which really helped. Relations are still good with the landowner who was very decent but worried about the expense.
 
This situation can be both dangerous and intimidating. You have a right of free passage along a bridleway. These horses could be deemed an obstruction under rights of way law if they are preventing your free passage.

Your first port of call would be the access department of your local county council. They should send one of their officers to discuss the problem with the land owner concerned and make them aware of current legislation and that they could be liable for any accident or damage that their horses cause. In the event of the landowner failing to co-operate then the local authority may use the Environmental Act (As amended) to take action.

If the issue is not resolved to your satisfaction by the local authority then contact your local county BHS officer who will be only to pleased to assist you in resolving this problem.

www.bhs.org.uk
 
Cocorules I may have a word with other riders who use the bridleway, there are a few diy yards on my lane which turns into the bridle way not far past my yard so will see if anyone fancies backing me up or has had problems with them.
 
Owlie- Thanks that sound more appealing than going directly to the land owner (who is not the horse owner)

I wasn't sure if I was just being a bit stupid about the whole thing!
 
Goldenstar said:
I just ride through and get on with it .
Click to expand...

Which is what I did- just not much fun! also I cant really be affording needless vet bills either mine or because my horse lashed out at one of these.

Secondly again, the Herpes outbreak was a few miles in one direction and Strangles a few miles the other...quite close for comfort
 
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