Stubble fields- do you go in them with/without permission??

Trailer or Box?


  • Total voters
    0
Makes perfect sense...even without the cuppa

I may be reading this wrong ( I am at work so quick scanning) but some people seem to be saying that they wouldnt give permission even if people asked.......because its their land to enjoy and no-one elses........which kind of rather answers the question as to why some people dont ask...not defending this behaviour, just playing devils advocate ( because I am in that mood today
tongue.gif
)
 
[ QUOTE ]

I may be reading this wrong ( I am at work so quick scanning) but some people seem to be saying that they wouldnt give permission even if people asked.......because its their land to enjoy and no-one elses........which kind of rather answers the question as to why some people dont ask.

[/ QUOTE ]
Some people have given this impression, and it was suggested that permission was being refused due to liability.

The general consensus seems to be that people should ask permission before riding on stubble fields. However, if landowners refuse on grounds other than damage to the fields, they are being mean and selfish.

**waits for the landowners to kick off again**
grin.gif
 
I'm with Rosiie.

I am allowed to ride around our farm, as is any livery I have on. However, that's it. It's private land and not available for anyone to ride across at will.

Like Rosiie, I know which fields to avoid due to rabbits or badger setts or which fields get rutted etc.

There are fields here that even I wouldn't ride through.

It irks me terribly that people seem to think that farm land is available for anyone to use. If people realised the great expense we go to in order to remain here, both financially and physically, they might respect how strongly we guard our land.
 
Unfortunatley near me the answer when asked is usually no.
They say no as if one horse and rider is spotted on a field then every other local rider seems to pile on presuming it's a free for all.
It's a real shame as there is no bridlepaths either, thankfull we do have one farmer who is happy for us to occasionally use the odd stubble field as long as we ask each year and check.
 
That's the problm. Others join in and before you know it farmers see a dozen riders galloping about regardless of the footing.

If people were responsible about galloping/cantering when the ground was wet it wouldn't be so bad.

Take me, I mentioned to a friend that she could perhaps come and ride here with us over winter. I saw her a few days ago at a show and she said "I was just talking about you to someone......" Transpired she'd told this other girl (who I don't know) that she'd be able to ride on our farm over winter!

Sadly, abusing a privilege like that means that now no one buy myself and any livery that is here can ride on our farm.
 
I think its great that some farmers let you ride across their land, and its also really good for people to ask- coffee bean no one will think you rude for asking, the worse that can happen is they will say no. We have two children who have ponies who asked to ride in the fields. My dad said no for aforementioned reasons, but said he would be quite happy they came over when I was going for a little blast around the field so he knew they would go where they shouldn't, or get into any danger. They also come over and use the arena every week, as do two lovely middle aged ladies on their cobs from a local yard- we really don't sit on our hillside hugging fortunes and guarding over our lands.
From a farmers point of view, as patches says, there is a lot of effort and money poured into the industry, perils of weather and economic climate along with the consumer demand are enough, adding worries of crop damage and legal cases is something most do not desire.
You also have to think about livestock- TB scares and disease such as foot and mouth, among many others are very easily spread from herd to herd. There does have to be a line somewhere.
 
I don't reckon we'd ever say not at all to anyone, but there are the regular culprits which if I'm absolutely honest if we weren't in Scotland they would NOT be allowed on again purely because they are a risk to themselves and us! We'd be happy with others though as I know myself that we do rely on Landowners for a access. We post a list of shooting dates and signs are put up on farm boundaries but it won't be the first time someone has ridden out in front of the guns.
 
Neither of our horses like stubble fields!
grin.gif
they go all oooewy
smile.gif


We are lucky to have a stretch of environment agency land that we are allowed to use and it is possible to canter on all year round as it has a gravel path which if you get the spot right and canter along the edge you don't mark up. We are careful (and pleased not too many use it) because they could easily stop us using it.- we have had it for 3 years now and we are sooo thankful to have it particularly as Frank is hard to keep fit without fast work, we have no arena and it is completely flat so no hill work. We do box to better hacking where we can though.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Bridleways are not designed for people to teararse round them. I find it very unfair and disrespectful that we have 1000acres of land, which in the winter I am allowed to ride on none of, including pasture, whilst bridleway users feel they have the right to gallop along it as they please.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why are you critiscing people for cantering on bridleways? If it is a bridleway you are allowed to ride on them right? And unless I have misinterpreted your post, I am quite sure that bridlway users actually do have the right to gallop along it if they want????

[/ QUOTE ]
In the summer time yes, bridleways are to be enjoyed by all. My point is that in the winter we should all have to be a little careful of the ground otherwise one person can completely ruin it for everyone.

[/ QUOTE ]

ITA with this.

One bridleway near us is so hashed up in winter it's unuseable. You can't even walk along it let alone get a horse along it, which leads other idiots to trample through the crop.

I have permission to ride on much of the farmland round here, but rarely do.

I don't own the land and would be severley pi$$ed if someone trampled on my garden...

My friend had to stop a group of young boys who were trying to climb the fence into her field which contained several mares with foals at foot. The boys, had they got in, would have had to cross a field of geldings, then a field with a stallion in to exit the property. No doubt had one been hurt the YO would have been liable, which isnt fair.
 
[ QUOTE ]

You don't know what dangers are lurking in someone else's fields...

[/ QUOTE ]

One reason why I would hesitate now to take my horse hunting. Always remember years ago a farmer finding it funny that he had left a chain harrow in a field and joked about wether the hunt would find it or not (it was overgrown with grass).

When I was young and reckless, I often sneaked into open fields for a gallop, but would not now in case I got into trouble.
 
I keep my horses in London and I have to say that EVERYONE should be thankful that they have anywhere to ride! The only bridleways we have include stepping over metal barriers to stop dirt bikes......and then crapping myself when said dirtbikes ride all over the bridleways any way! Not to mention the flytippers who regularly dump rubble on the lane (not great when you have 17hh of tb that is scared of his own leg!).

When I lived in Norfolk I used to ride on the stubble fields around the yard as the other liveries said that we were allowed. Unfortunately, after a run in with a very angry farmer I realised that the other liveries had just assumed and when you assume you make an ASS of U and ME!! I was mortified since I agree that it is common courtesy to ask.
 
When I was younger me and PC friends would always have a bezz round stubble fields, this was always the best time of year! I didn't know the farmers, but other families did, and luckily the farmers were all very friendly, and not of the upper toff 'get away from me and my things' class
smirk.gif


Now, if there is an open field next to the bridleway, I will have a trot or canter along the side. If it has a hedge or a gate I wouldn't go in.

Rosie - after harvest, what damage does a rider do to the crops?


I'm glad I live in the north, everyone seems so much more laid back....
 
I actually live in the north, if you class yorkshire as north. I'm not quite sure who the toff comment was referring to, so I won't comment.
damaging crops was never ever my argument in this- unless farmers have predisced next season's crop then there is no issue with that. WE don't allow free access to fields because, as previously stated, we don't want to be held liable for any further accidents which may happen on our fields.
 
[ QUOTE ]
From a farmers point of view, as patches says, there is a lot of effort and money poured into the industry, perils of weather and economic climate along with the consumer demand are enough, adding worries of crop damage and legal cases is something most do not desire.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry, I just assumed you meant that riding on stubble fields (or edge of) could damage crops.


ETA - I do agree with you on the liability point. I think the law is ridiculous there, and does more harm than good.
 
QR
To all those who believe that people are lucky to own land, trust me it isn't luck. My sister and I jointly own a small holding, we both work full time in demanding professions. We have made a lot of sacrifices over the years to own the land. I do not expect other people to use my land, any more than I expect to go into their houses and use their kitchen table, or use their car without permission. If someone is 'lucky' enough to own a very expensive car, does that mean that I should be able to share it?
I contribute to people being able to enjoy the 'countryside' by managing my land, not by allowing any tom dick or harriet to wander round it. We have dry stone walls, people think it is fine t oclimb over them, it isn't, it damages them and it costs a fortune to repair them. This is one 'hidden' aspect of using other peopels land without permission.
mad.gif
 
I have to say that I would never ride on land if I didn't have permission to do so, I am lucky that we have quite a few bridlepaths around us and also one of the farmers has set up a big farm ride that is regularly maintained with some xc jumps and if you want to use this you pay an annual sub. If there were some fields I wanted to ride on I would always ask permission first. If the owner said no then I would accept that, it is their land and entirely up to them if they want other people to use it. It is hardly selfish if other people using the land causes them to worry, or opens them up to liability in the event of an accident.

There you go, just my opinion.
 
QR
Wow, I am so glad I love in lovely, civilised Scotland
grin.gif
Yes, I ride in stubble fields without explicitly asking the landowners permission. That said, I know most of the landowners in the area whose land I ride on all year round, however if I had ventured further afield and saw a stubble field with an open gate, I would ride round the edge of it without a second thought, and would be within my rights so to do. Lucky me
grin.gif

A
 
Sorry scribbles, I wasn't clear in that statement, I wasn't referring exclusively to just stubble- we get all kinds of intelligent (
smirk.gif
) people both on foot and on horse trampling through all kinds of crop- the latest was a women who had ridden her horse through the MIDDLE of the maize crop for a photo- its just not on- it damages crops and eats into costs. Which is why we padlock things these days.
 
Theoretically - here in Scotland - there is no reason why you can't ride in a stubble field!

BUT I would never do it without:
a - having the farmer's permission
b. - making sure that the ground was not too soft and that there were no hazards (walk round first)
c. - providing some of our national drink to said farmer at Christmas time!!!

Some farmer's around here are OK, and others would rather I didn't (so I don't). They know that we will be responsible, but if the local hairy heeled riding stable sees us in the fields, they think it is OK to take 20 clod-hopping cobs for a gallop in the same fields!! I can appreciate their concern!!
blush.gif
grin.gif
 
Yes, but in Scotland you have the right of responsible access - it quite rightly puts the onus on the horse rider to assess the situation to ensure their safety. If you have walked round the field first to check it is safe and not undersown, then that is fine. You are are no way responsible for anyone who subsequently rides on the field irresponsibly.
A
 
When I was a child I used to go wherever on my pony. But would now never dream of riding on stubble unless I had permission. All you need to do is ask- if you cant be bothered to ask then thats just damn rude and lazy. How o you know the intentions with that field? The farmer who owns the 700 acres round our yard allows us to use the tracks round the field but we are not allowed on the stubble even when the crops are cut- he says if we fall on the rutted tracks, or the horses cut themselves on the flinty ground he said he doesnt want to be liable - he also says he doesnt want other riders to see us- then start to use his land - thinking there is a bridlway across it. It is their livelyhood- and riding for us is a hobby. We used to have 5 acres and I would be very upset if someone came onto the land after the hay was cut because there was no gate.... my drive has no gate but that doesnt mean anyone can come and play there. How do you know that chemicals havent been sprayed? I dont know maybe its just me- but it seems rude for someone to play on the land that another has worked bloddy hard to get.
 
QR Nobody really owns land, or sea, or sky. We own temporary rights to in during our life times, or when we want to drill for oil, or fish or fly a plane. Every bit of the planet and the bit above is technically owned by someone, yet not owned. Fields are part of an outdoor factory, so not really comparable to gardens. They are a place of work, and take a great deal of maintenance. However, most fields have stubble for a matter of days, often less than 24 hours, and it isn't always practical to contact the farmer. Round here we keep animals out of the crop while it is growing and make use of the stubble, and everyone seems quite happy with that situation. There is one farmer who objects, so we have to use his field at night. (Okay, that last bit was a joke). There are always going to be unaccommodating landowners and rude horse owners, but the majority of countryside dwellers seem to get along.
 
QR

I was brought up to know that you don't touch what isn't yours. If you really want to touch, you ask permission. And I also know that NO means no.

Must say I'm shocked that (what I presume are) adults say they would ride across land that isn't theirs, simply because there is no gate/it's been cut/no sign saying not to.
Bizarre.

I do not have vast acres to ride on, I stick to roads/bridleways etc. There are some fab fields round us in England that I frequently say would be fantastic to canter up. But I don't.

I get exceedingly pissed off when tourists wander through my garden thinking it's a footpath, no doubt farmers are the same...
And in Ireland I get even angrier at randomers who appear in our fields. It is not yours. You don't have permission, so keep the hell out.

Have simply skim read the post so no doubt this has all been said before.

Horse people increasingly seem to think that they have horses so they can do what they like. Be that piss about on unsafe horses on dangerous roads, or gallop on land they don't have permission to be on. Or maybe that's just HHO.

crazy.gif
 
QR

No I wouldn't ride on land that didn't belong to me unless I had permission. My friend keeps her horses on a farm and he is happy for us to ride on the land as he knows we are sensible about it.
To be honest I don't think any farmer round here would say no if you asked, unless there was good reason.
 
I have no reason to ride on stubble fields, there is a perfectly good path next to them and I only go through them to get to the amazing fields we can canter in
tongue.gif
Although a lot of the fields round us are rented from the council and we do have permission to ride on them if we wish too. I wouldn't trespass, I know where/where I can't ride.
 
[ QUOTE ]

Its mine and I dont see why you should (and no other reason given)........downright selfish in my book.....obviously weren't taught to share as a child
tongue.gif


[/ QUOTE ]
Do you feel the same about all property? I mean, if someone 'borrowed' your car without asking, would that be OK as well. Suppose they scratched it and left it with an empty tank... Share and share alike, eh?
TBH I used to ride across stubble fields on occasion when I was in the UK and assumed it was fine. I was on friendly terms with the farmer and I assumed he would've asked me not to ride across them if he didn't want me to. I hadn't thought about it from Rosiie's POV and I totally understand and now feel a bit bad about NOT asking the farmer as it would've taken no effort at all and would've been the courteous thing to do. If he'd said no, then that would've been fine too.
 
QR: Only in one place, on my favourite hack the last 50 yards of the bridleway is completely overgrown to the point of being scratched to death if you tried to get through there (I tried it
blush.gif
Ouch!). The farmer of the field next to the bridleway has given us all permission to nip onto his stubble field for the last 50 yards until you get onto the road.

Oh, and my grandads field, ohh thats so much fun
grin.gif
The gate is barbed wired and locked though as people kept trespassing, both on horses and dog walkers, so we have a key and grandad has a key.

Apart from those 2 instances, no, however tempting it is, I stick to bridleways and roads
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Theoretically - here in Scotland - there is no reason why you can't ride in a stubble field!

BUT I would never do it without:
a - having the farmer's permission
b. - making sure that the ground was not too soft and that there were no hazards (walk round first)
c. - providing some of our national drink to said farmer at Christmas time!!!

Some farmer's around here are OK, and others would rather I didn't (so I don't). They know that we will be responsible, but if the local hairy heeled riding stable sees us in the fields, they think it is OK to take 20 clod-hopping cobs for a gallop in the same fields!! I can appreciate their concern!!
blush.gif
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Oh, so its okay for some horses (no doubt warmbloods and tb's eh?) but not for heavier horses? I appreciate and agree with the point that you and many others have made, that some farmers say no to people riding across their fields, as saying yes to some horse riders might mean that everyone will just think they can ride through farmers land and don't need to ask but the derogatory comments about "hairy heeled horses" and "clod-hopping cobs" just aren't necessary. I have met plenty of people with this attitude and it stinks quite frankly.
 
Top