What can I do about problem riders?

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Bannock

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Hi

Does anyone have any advice over how to deal with some problem riders? Most of the people who ride across my fields are very nice considerate people; they keep to the bridleway, and leave the gates as they find them.
Recently one group of riders have begun using the bridleways a couple of times a week, and they always open the gates and leave them open.

I was out today and saw the group go through and yet again leave the gate open. I asked them to please shut the gate in future as my animals have been getting into my neighbour's arable crops, and was told that they had no intention of shutting the gates as it means they can get a good long canter on the way back. My gates all swing, and are fitted with catches that can be opened and closed from the saddle.

Is there anything I can do? There's lots of information on various websites about the responsibilities of landowners and the measures that can be taken if bridleways are blocked, but I can't find anything about the measures that can be taken against deliberately irresponsible riders. I have phoned the local rights of way officer, but they're on holiday at the moment.

I know from reading the posts here that there are legal specialists who give advice when there are problems with landowners; presumably you also know the regulations regarding bridleway users. Is there anything I can do?

I have cattle and sheep, and I'm going to have to stop keeping them in these fields if this continues. I farm in Yorkshire, so the access laws are those of England.

Bannock
 
That is very rude of the riders, I'd be inclined to fit springs onto the gates. I can't stand them personally as most spring back far too quickly and catch the horse as it's going through, but you need to protect your livestock from numpties like this. You can adjust the springs so they close slowly.
 
Be friendly. Get some info and head to the YO where they're situation. They won't want the hassle on their door and will probably tell them to buck up their act. Perhaps mention that you have no problem with people who are using the bridlepath considerately but unfortunately you will have to look into having access revoked if they do not treat the land with respect?

Or put a notice that people causing damage to animals or land due to negligence caused by leaving the gates open will be prosecuted.

We ended up temporarily shutting off a public footpath through farm field after several lambs were killed by dogs off leads. The local authority took us very seriously and access is still there but no problems since they put up their own notice.

Pan
 
Get a big padlock and chain, put a sign up to say everytime you find the gate open you'll lock it for a week on a sliding scale, so 1st time a week, second time and fortnight.... that should solve the problem. By the time they get anyone official to do anything about it you'll have made your point. ;)
 
I agree with Pandora, go see their yard owner and explain the problems you've been having. If that doesn't work you've also got the rights of way officer to speak to. If it were my land and animals I'd be livid. There are few enough bridleways around without idiots like them forcing sensible land owners to close one to keep their livestock safe. Most of us riders wouldn't dream of opening a gate and leaving it that way.

I hope you get it sorted out soon.
 
I think the only thing you are able to do legally is to fit self closing gates and put up notices, it seems ridiculous that you have to fork out for other people's inconsiderateness though.

I think finding out where the riders are liveried and having a word with their yard owner is a good idea, I hope you get the issue resolved it is such a shame when a minority spoil things.
 
Agree, I would be inclined to fit slow closing springs if possible. As a considerate rider myself I feel it is a great shame that others behave like this and spoil it for the majority. Sounds as if as the landowner you are doing all the right things with regard to access so to have people behaving like this must be particularly irritating. Some of our local bridleways have quite narrow gates which open at odd angles so you couldnt really canter through them, they also have springs fitted which snap back a bit too quickly for my liking! Could you perhaps lock the farm gates and fit some narrower hand gates for the riders to negotiate, wide enough for 1 horse at a time but offset a bit so you have to do a turn on the forehand to go safely through them, that should break the momentum a bit and stop the 5 furlong sprinters!!
 
Speak to the YO if they are from a livery yard.
Fit self closing gates at once .
And raise it with the rights of way officer when you can.
I am sorry this is happening to you it gives all riders a bad name.
 
OMG how rude are those riders?! They give the rest of us a bad name :-( Apart from what others have already said, all I can think of is to fence off the bridleway from the rest of your field, but that would be expensive and why should you have to do it anyway.
 
Moobucket said:
Get a big padlock and chain, put a sign up to say everytime you find the gate open you'll lock it for a week on a sliding scale, so 1st time a week, second time and fortnight.... that should solve the problem. By the time they get anyone official to do anything about it you'll have made your point. ;)
Click to expand...

This is probably totally illegal....
 
wench said:
This is probably totally illegal....
Click to expand...

No doubt... but they're very rude and you'd probably only have to do it once. It would also give me a tremendous sense of satisfaction... which fitting new gates, springs or fencing off all my land wouldn't. These people are what creates the snotty riding stereotype. I'm always massively appreciative of the bridleways around me, because they are mown and cared for so I can tootle around on my horse.It's time out of the farmers day that they don't get paid for. They are trying to make a living, I'm just having a peaceful hack out.

Also, you'd never get prosecuted.
 
What rude riders even though illegal id probably warn YO of what moobucket said and do it once with note on gate also explaining why and hopefully they will realise the errors of their ways and be more reasonable in future!
 
I don't think locking the gate is the best idea, apart from the fact that's unfair on the other respectful riders, it could end up with the op either getting in trouble for breaking the law, or ending up with an on going battle with all local riders rather than just the rude minority.
 
Thanks for all the helpful suggestions, you have reinforced my view that most riders *are* careful, and it's just a few idiots who make things difficult. I am considering fitting self closing gates, but that seems to be being unpleasant to the considerate riders too. I was hoping there was some rights of way equivalent to a restraining order! However, I'll wait and see what the rights of way officer says.

Thanks

Bannock
 
I second (or third!) the self-closing gates idea. It seems a shame, but it's better than your poor neighbour's crops getting eaten because if some inconsiderate riders!
 
Bannock said:
Hi

Does anyone have any advice over how to deal with some problem riders? Most of the people who ride across my fields are very nice considerate people; they keep to the bridleway, and leave the gates as they find them.
Recently one group of riders have begun using the bridleways a couple of times a week, and they always open the gates and leave them open.

I was out today and saw the group go through and yet again leave the gate open. I asked them to please shut the gate in future as my animals have been getting into my neighbour's arable crops, and was told that they had no intention of shutting the gates as it means they can get a good long canter on the way back. My gates all swing, and are fitted with catches that can be opened and closed from the saddle.
Is there anything I can do? There's lots of information on various websites about the responsibilities of landowners and the measures that can be taken if bridleways are blocked, but I can't find anything about the measures that can be taken against deliberately irresponsible riders. I have phoned the local rights of way officer, but they're on holiday at the moment.

I know from reading the posts here that there are legal specialists who give advice when there are problems with landowners; presumably you also know the regulations regarding bridleway users. Is there anything I can do?

I have cattle and sheep, and I'm going to have to stop keeping them in these fields if this continues. I farm in Yorkshire, so the access laws are those of England.

Bannock
Click to expand...

Oooh this post makes my blood boil !!!!
Im sorry op, on behalf of these ignorant eejits who give the rest of us riders and landowners problems due to their sheer bloody minded stupidity.
As much as i agree with the poster who says close the gates and padlock and increase the time with each offence, sadly im sure youd be the one in bother if you did this, and it punishes others who do follow the rules.
Can you speak to someone from the BHS about this, and is there a local riding club you can get in touch with to see if they can help.
Surely the council can help you if youre having issues with your livestock straying because of these inconsiderate pratts ?
In our area we have a riders access group, if your area has this they might take this issue forward for you and go around the livery yards stressing the importance of closing the gates.
I would be ripping mad if i had to fork out for self closing gates because some lowlifes couldnt give a toss about how their behaviour impacts on others.
Its twonks like them that make access a huge issue for people.
I am lucky that im in scotland, i have access to good hacking over local farmers land, but i havent been over it for a wee while lately because hes's got crops growing. But i know when theyre down, i can get my fast work done around the perimeters of the fields that all link together :D and i wont jepordise that by taking the pee .
we have the right to roam laws, but id never take this for granted and id take others to task of i caught them charging over crops and leaving gates open.
i really hope you can get something sorted out op, not all riders behave in this manner
Sorry my rant is now over :o:o
 
Although self closing gates are ok the problem is that other respectful riders probably won't approve so in a way they will be losing out slightly, also why should you have to pay for other people's actions? It's completely not fair in my books.
I would probably go with the lock and chain idea as my livestocks well being is my number one priority, I'd leave a kind notice saying that people hadn't been shutting the gate and my livestock had been escaping, I would also mention that in a week it will reopen and it won't have to happen again so long as everyone keeps shutting it. As was earlier mentioned, you would get no legal repercussions from this as the police and courts have much bigger and better things to deal with, trust me. At the end of the day its YOUR land!! Yous. Nobody elses, and you can do pretty much what you want on your own property!
Also, I would go and speak to their YO asap and tell them my concerns, as a responsible YO it would be their job to inform and correct the inconsiderate riders.
Sadly in pursuing the legal route you might find that it will take a VERY long time for anything to happen, if at all.
Best of luck!
 
I wouldnt have any objections to a (slow) self-closing gate, not that a land owner needs to listen to me if I did anyway! The fast slammer gates that smack into you are a problem, but slow closing - no, not at all.

It think the installation of single gates and locking off the farm gates is a good idea, too, as is following them back to their yard and having a word with the yard owner (although they might not have a yard owner, they could come from a private yard).

Yes, its expense you shouldnt have to have, but they arent going to stop if you asking them to stop has had that response, and its better than your stock getting loose.
 
What a shame to hear that these riders can't be more considerate. I'd love to have more bridleways to ride on and wouldn't dream of leaving the gates open.

I hope that you manage to resolve the situation and thank you for being so pleasant about it.
 
I have already looked in to where they ride from in the hope of talking to the yard owners, but unfortunately they have their own stables.

I am reluctantly going to look into the self closing gates. I'm tempted to put up a sign for the 99%of courteous riders who use the route explaining that I'm being forced to do this because xxx refuses to close the gates, but I suspect that would get me into trouble somehow.

One thing that annoys me is that many county council websites have lots of info for land owners on "your responsibilities and how we'll rap you over the knuckles if you don't toe the line", assuming we're all villains. They also have advice on who to complain to for right of way users, but nowhere is there anything about what help we as landowners can get in situations like this.

Anyway, thanks for all the messages; they at least make me feel that there are people who understand.

Bannock
 
Why not give a better idea of where you are, name and shame. You never know one or two of them might come on here. Personally I think some young boisterous cattle would be in order if you have to pay out for self closing gates. Or perhaps some pigs or donkeys :D

Seriously though its disgusting and if anyone does read this on here, you should be ashamed of yourself.
 
Padlock it. Tell them you're not stopping them, you're just adding to the excitement of their nice long canter by adding a five bar gate in the middle of it for them to jump!

Rude people.
 
cattysmith said:
Padlock it. Tell them you're not stopping them, you're just adding to the excitement of their nice long canter by adding a five bar gate in the middle of it for them to jump!

Rude people.
Click to expand...

If Bannock padlocked the gate the council,would be down on him like a ton of bricks .
I really think self closing gates will have to be the way forward.
Bannock might you consider contacting the British Horse Society they will have a bridleways officer in your area who could advise you how to set up the self closing gates they have a enormous body of knowledge on these issuses admittedly usually on the ' other' side.
 
In that case it probably is slow closing gates. Like the idea of the signs & I would probably go round all the local yards explaining why too, won't make them very popular.
 
Found this on a council webpage, might get a contribution towards your costs

Although, rarely, some paths are entirely privately maintainable, maintenance responsibilities are generally divided between highway authorities, landowners and occupiers as follows:

Highway authorities: surfaces (including natural ground vegetation), steps, handrails; some barriers, drains, most bridges and culverts; stepping stones, fords, signposts and waymarks.

Landowners: stiles and gates (25% of reasonable costs to be contributed by highway authorities for authorised structures).

Landowners/Occupiers: restoration after ploughing, control of crops, and repair of damage caused by their vehicles on footpaths and bridleways, control of overhanging vegetation, maintenance of some drains, bridges and culverts.
 
Speak to them again record what they say if they refuse again go to the council you have the right to ban people from footpaths or bridle if they make a nuisance of themselves pr endanger livestock. We currently have a crazy lady banned form using the footpath path on our part due to her intimidating behaviour. Ask council for help.
 
Are they turning around on your land to return? If so they are not using the bridleway legally as the right is of passage and not as gallops.
I agree have a word with the County Council byways/bridleway officer but if you are not using the gate for vehicle access at present as a quick fix hammer in a couple of fence posts leaving a metre gap -will not stop the considerate riders but will spoil the rude ones fun.
Tying polythene "flags" to these posts will make them even more effective.
 
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