would you ever or have you ever ridden on public footpaths

Hmm, slightly different question - are you allowed to lead a horse down a footpath?

I have never ridden purposefully down a footpath as far as I'm aware. It's frustrating because there's such rubbish hacking round here, but i'm resigned to it! I think i'm going to write to the owner of a local woods and see if I can ride in there - Ii'm sure they'll say no but guess it's worth a try!
 
I have and do regularly. A lot of our local 'occupation roads' green lanes and pack horse trails, as well as bridleways were downgraded in the late 70's and early 80's. They should not have been and it is my belief that it was a politically motivated move, by an urban group who had no idea about the culture and norms of the high pennines. So I continue to ride them and am active in trying to reclaim the ones that are blocked to prevent horses getting through.
 
We have a few footpaths round her which riders are trying to claim as bridleways, because historically that is what they were (or byways), so we continue to ride them until the council decides otherwise.
TBH when I was much younger, I not only rode on footpaths but also through the park! This was because there was a fabulous canter track, which was part of an old railway line which ended in a blocked-up tunnel. We then had to scramble up a banking side, - even on a 15hh cob, I had to duck under low branches- the only way then was through the park, fortunately along a little used path and a quick scuttle out of the gate.
I wouldn't do it now - anyway the path is more overgrown and current horse is bigger!
 
I live in the countryside and in our area their are NO bridleways, like YorkshireG states they have been turned back into footpaths, mainly due to poachers and fly tippers (in our area) so gates were put up, also there is just one trans pennine trail for walkers, bikes and horses and that's it, plenty of trail foot paths which hardly get used or there ploughed up by the farmers, so its not like Im keeping my horse in built up town area, in fact you see more bridleways on the out skirts of towns than you do around our neck if the woods.

I'm going to write to our local council about it, I've got a bee in my bonnet now lol!
 
WOW!! thank you all sooo much for your replies really interesting reading them. the ones near us are pretty short tbh and like i said i havent ridden on them im too chicken and knowing my luck id be the only person to get in trouble lol xxxx
 
Unser section 27 to 38 of the National Parks and access to the countryside act 1949 all county councils in England and Wales where given the duty of surveying and mapping all public rights of way in their area, classifying them as footpaths, bridleways or roads used as a public path (RUPPS).

Parish councils where approached to determine the status of the various rights of way in their parish. Unfortunately in many parish councils the councilors consisted of farmers and landowners who having their own interest at heart stated that many of the routes where only of public footpath status when in fact they where bridleways or RUPPS. Horseriders did not want to create any bad feeling so did not oppose the incorrect staus of these routes.

This is why bridleways only account for 22% of the public right of way network.

There are about 4.3 riders and 1.2 million horses in Great Britain which generates a 7Billion Pound Industry.

Many of these public footpaths should have been recorded as bridleways or RUPPS and it is still possible to have changes made but time is running out so if you think a route should be of higher status it is important that you contact your local BHS bridleway officer and ask them for assistance in getting the status of the route changed to a bridleway.

If you would like to know who your local BHS bridleway officer is then simply contact me at peter.natt@btinternet.com and I will pass on their contact details to you.
 
We have ridden up a footpath,nice wide grassed area 1.5 mile uphill through village, for the last 6 years have always waited for walkers etc. Been approved as a recognised bridleway this year. Dont use it,lose it:D:D
 
lincolnlady said:
as title really. we have loads of public footpaths nearby which actually look more like bridleways.
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To me the first question is, are these really footpaths or are they wrongly recorded just as footpaths. That is, are there historic bridleways rights that have not yet been recorded?

To check this, you need to look at some papers in the archives. The new book Rights of Way: Restoring the Record demystifies the whole process to chow what documents to look at, where they are found, and how to write up your application in the way to best influence the decision makers. Why not check whether rights already (in law) exist before trying to create, or just being a trespasser? :-) And don't forget that if a path has been used for 20 yars by riders and the owner has done nothing to prevent the use, it will be a bridleway already. More info at http://www.restoringtherecord.org.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/RestoringTheRecord.
 
yes I ride where I want until I get told off, which was only once in the last 11 years! I just play dumb if anyone asks! we have loads of fostery commission wooded areas that apparently you're not allowed to ride in but I've never been caught! my friend did once and the guy told her she was ok unless the boss man saw her! so as long as there isn't a mean farmer thats going to shoot at you I'd go anywhere :)
 
Have I ridden on a tarmc footpath - yes. Although I have had decent reasons. Once when there was a huge queue of cars behind me, and a load of parked cars. So I whipped onto the footpath, which had large verge between path and houses, so the cars could get by.There were no pedestrians.

Second time, happended to have been frosty morning. One bit of the road was icy, the footpath wasnt, so rode on path for safety reasons.

Not been down a normal public footpath on a horse, as its a bit naughty. However, I may be tempted if there was a bridle way that can only be reached by going down a footpath. Seen plenty of these on he map before!
 
wench said:
Not been down a normal public footpath on a horse, as its a bit naughty. However, I may be tempted if there was a bridle way that can only be reached by going down a footpath. Seen plenty of these on he map before!
Click to expand...

These paths are prime candidates for research to check whether they have just been mis-recorded as footpaths when they should be bridleways.
https://www.facebook.com/RestoringTheRecord gives examples of documents that may be useful.
 
as a kid if it looked inviting i rode along it (usually at speed), i don't recall ever thinking about the signs:eek:
these days i would still ride along one but a bit more cautiously out of consideration for other users
 
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