What can I do about problem riders?

And one final thought. Although they appear to have their own stables they might not own it. Might be worth asking around, if the land is rented their landlord might not be pleased about their behaviour.
 
You can not close a footpath or bridal path ask council and get them blocked. There is a hugh fine as far as I'm aware also closing it will annoy the ramblers who will then make a point of walking thru it at all hours just to p*** you off.
 
I would install slow self closing gates. Then I would put up a notice something along the lines of:

'I apologise for the new self closing gates and any inconvenience they cause. However due to recent incidents of livestock escaping due to the gates being left open, it is imperitive this is not allowed to happen again. Sorry for any inconvenience'

Hopefully the irresponsible riders will feel a little ashamed, and the considerate ones will be aware of why the changes have been made (and equally get cross at the inconsiderate riders).

I wish you there were friendly landowners like yourself in my area of Yorkshire!
 
Just a small expense, but might be worth a try. One third of the way up the bridlewaym put a run of electric fencing, three strands high, two thirds of the way across the path, a meter away, put another run of fencing, also two thirds of the way across, but from the other edge, making a negotiable maze, repeat as often as you like. Put up a sign explaining why you have done this, naming and shaming if you like. The path is not blocked, but cantering is now impossible :D
 
YorksG said:
Just a small expense, but might be worth a try. One third of the way up the bridlewaym put a run of electric fencing, three strands high, two thirds of the way across the path, a meter away, put another run of fencing, also two thirds of the way across, but from the other edge, making a negotiable maze, repeat as often as you like. Put up a sign explaining why you have done this, naming and shaming if you like. The path is not blocked, but cantering is now impossible :D
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i agree with this, might be worth a try before you buy the self closing gates. :) i would love to see their faces when they see those :D
 
I cannot believe riders would behave like this. Outrageous. We are so lucky to be able to ride across fields and have a lovely canter. I know they are bridleways but it is someone's land.

Frankly I would either concrete the track :eek:
Put up the electric fences as suggested (nice flappy tape earthing out so it goes tick nice and loudly) :)
Plant a few umbrellas that suddenly open when a horse approaches
A "warning adders" sign
Crow scarer
Road drill
feed sacks at regular intervals in the hedge
crisp packets

And finally a sign "have a nice canter"

I am furious on your behalf.
 
YorksG said:
Just a small expense, but might be worth a try. One third of the way up the bridlewaym put a run of electric fencing, three strands high, two thirds of the way across the path, a meter away, put another run of fencing, also two thirds of the way across, but from the other edge, making a negotiable maze, repeat as often as you like. Put up a sign explaining why you have done this, naming and shaming if you like. The path is not blocked, but cantering is now impossible :D
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OP can't do anything thats causes the bridleway to deviate from its course.
 
I would contact the local BHS Access Officer, also see if there is an Access Officer at your local council and ask for help.
 
Bannock said:
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
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You sound like a very considerate landowner, shame you cant 'ASBO' certain bridleway users :D (p.s http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/countrysidecode/leavegates.aspx ,closing gates, or leaving them as you found them is law, so you could complain about/ report them).
Paddlocking gates is illegal and unfair to considerate users so you will be told off, though putting up signs saying 'Please shut the gate!' might help.

Maybe try...
■For guidance on your rights, responsibilities and liabilities, contact your local authority or National Park authority. The Country Land and Business Association Telephone: 020 7235 0511 and the National Farmers’ Union Telephone: 0870 845 8458 can also offer advice
 
terrible behaviour from them!!! You could try putting a notice saying if gates are not closed then you will put self closing gates on this just may

cause them to think twice as they probably have horses they can't control well enough to open them on the way home

also I am sure there are other riders locally who will know who they are and just maybe have a talk too them

Probably won't work BUT on the off chance it does would save you the trouble and expense
 
I am so sorry to hear that you are having so much grief from these stupid idiots!
My first thought was the same as Rollin suggested.Ring the British Horse Society and ask the advice of the bridleways access officer for your area.They have a lot of legal knowledge. I am sure that they will be appalled at what these riders are doing .Hopefully they can give you good advice.
Here is a link for yorkshire BHS http://bhsyorkshire.moonfruit.com/#/your-county/4559358302
Also this link http://www.bhs.org.uk/Riding/Riding_Off_Road/Bridleway_officers.aspx You need to contact CABO County Access And Bridleway officer for help ,they deal with the general public ,so you don't have to be a member of the BHS.
 
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As well as all the other suggestions of people to contact, it might be worth asking the local RC to put a piece in their newsletter/website asking people to close your gates.
 
Tiffany said:
It's selfish riders like these who give horse riders a bad reputation. I agree YO if you can or notice & lock gates short term.
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No do not lock gates!!It is not as simple as that,it is a bridleway so Legally Bannock can not obstruct or block it in anyway,doing this can result in a hefty fine and alot of agro.

If you can catch the culprits in the act and video them leaving the gate open,you may be able to prosecute them for gross negligence and causing criminal damage by letting livestock out onto your neighbours field. Just a thought?
 
I am sorry to hear of these inconsiderate riders who should know very much better than leave gates open.

I would also try to get the name, home address and telephone numbers of the riders concerned.

I would then contact the local BHS Bridleway officer and ask them to speak to the riders concerned and remind them of their obligations to close the gates.

As regards self closing gates Centrewire make a self-closing bridleway gate which is used on many of the bridleways in Hertfordshire where I am based.
http://www.centrewire.com/chiltern2way.htm

If all else fails then I would get your solicitor to write to each of the riders concerned and make them aware that they wil be held responsible for any damage or accidents caused as a result of them leaving the gates open again.

Peter Natt BHS Bridleway Officer North Hertfordshire E: peter.natt@btinternet.com
 
Encouraging the op to do anything that prevents other riders, or makes it highly unpleasant for all isn't going to solve anything. As it is, the majority of local riders will be on the ops side. If the op ruins the bridleway for everyone then the result will be lots of local riders making life very difficult in return, & probably resulting in more damage.
 
Some excellent suggestions in this thread. Such a depressing topic - there are so few bridleways around and undoubtedly the moron riders the OP is rightly complaining about would be the amongst first to complain if they couldn't use what precious few we have in this country. Riders like that give us all such a bad name...Bannock, I hope the responses here have restored your faith in riders in general (at least in sentiment) :)

If you do manage to find out who these people are, a letter from your solicitor advising the riders you will invoice them for any veterinary fees and out of pocket expenses you incur as a result of their negligence on your land and towards your livestock's welfare might help.

You could also print this off (http://www.localriding.com/uk-bridleways.html), laminate it and stick it to the gates :D

Maybe more publications like H&H should publish pieces about our responsibilities as riders?
 
Firstly I'd follow Peter natts advice, but I'd also try and find out who owns the stable yard, who supplies their feed and hay, who their farrier is etc. make sure every farmer or equine professional they need is aware of their behaviour ...
 
People like this make my blood boil. I have a problem with some people who shoot locally, walk through the gate across the path near my field, and who rarely shut it. I would contact the local council, and also talk to local feed suppliers.
I would also talk to some of the other local riders.
I would put up a sig, then put a chain round the gate, forcing people to get off to open it, not locked, just inconvenient. Talk to local yards, if possibly take pictures of the muppets not closing the gates,and tell people you have these pics. Hopefully you will get some positive influence over these people.
 
Could you put a post near the gate so the gate opens wide enough for a horse to get through then hits the post and can't open any further? It may stop them cantering through it if the gap they have to get through is narrow which in turn may make them decide to ride somewhere else!
 
Spiritedly said:
Could you put a post near the gate so the gate opens wide enough for a horse to get through then hits the post and can't open any further? It may stop them cantering through it if the gap they have to get through is narrow which in turn may make them decide to ride somewhere else!
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Yes Op could but how would that make them shut the gate ?
They have already spoken and in reply to being asked if they would shut the gate they said no they would not so its likely that they will just leave open any way.
These riders attitude is terrible I think Op is in a very difficult position.
 
Goldenstar said:
Yes Op could but how would that make them shut the gate ?
They have already spoken and in reply to being asked if they would shut the gate they said no they would not so its likely that they will just leave open any way.
These riders attitude is terrible I think Op is in a very difficult position.
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They said they left it open so they could have a good canter back if they have to slow to a walk to get through the gate it would then remove their reason for leaving it open. It may not work but then again it may and it's cheaper than paying for a self closing gate. The riders may even decide to to ride elsewhere especially if op puts up a sign apologising to other riders but stating they've had to take those measures do to some inconsiderate riders leaving the gates open so they can have a blast.
 
Can you weight the gate, instead of putting springs?
http://www.poolcenter.com/blog-fence-ball-and-chain.jpg

A spring gate closed on Ned's neck, when I wasn't fast enough to grab it. I don't like them at all! Thankfully it didn't hurt him or spook him, but it spooked me!!
I always close gates behind me, I think it's rude and sometimes dangerous not to!
However, there is one gate we leave open, because it's simply rediculous! It used to be easy to open/close, but now it's near impossible, even if we dismount! It doesn't have a latch, it's closed by wrapping bailing twine around the gate and the post and since it's dropped on it's hinges, you have to lift it. YO has even offered to pay for a new gate, but she just gets "I'll get round to it" in reply!! It's one of the best bridleways we have :(

I hope you manage to talk to these people, it's just so rude :\
 
Take a photo of the riders riding away from the open gate and ask if the local tack shop will display it on their notice board.

Naming and shaming might be effective and other local horseowners would be as outraged on your behalf as we are.
 
Just a warning about locking gates - The farm where I used to keep my horse has several footpaths running through it. The ramblers were leaving gates open on purpose because they said the farmer should pay to have stiles/ small footpath gates fitted so their dogs could easily get through. Farmer was so angry he padlocked the gates and left a sign to say it was dangerous for the gates to be left open as his cattle had got on to the main road. The next weekend a load of ramblers came through the farm and used bolt cutters to cut through the chains and left all the gates open. A stallion who was in a field well away from all the other horses was able to come into my paddock a beat up my poor horse who was trying to defend his little welsh mare girlfriend. It took him a long time to get over his injuries. Farmer complained to the police and local parish council, but nothing was done against the ramblers :(
 
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