Comments on: Off-Road Horse Riding Through Woodlands

By: Karen Davidson

Karen Davidson — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:18:05 +0000

I am very interested in what the “horse-only” gates that riders go through without dismounting look like. Would someone email me or post a picture of one of these gates? I would like to see how it operates. Thank you. Karen

By: Angus Hanton

Angus Hanton — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:20:11 +0000

These schemes are fairly rare for woodlands.co.uk – we don’t agree them if the neighbouring owners don’t want them and in any event they only work where the track can make part of a good circuit – usually of several miles.
The danger that you have identified of people establishing rights of way and abusing these has not been a problem as far as we have found – the horseriders actually police the tracks very well partly because they have paid to use them and don’t want people who haven’t paid being “free riders” and partly because they know that the landowner expects them to help regulate use of the tracks.
best wishes, Angus

By: John Brand

John Brand — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:53:33 +0000

I’m not sure I like the idea of tracks being opened to people other than neighbours. Another thing is while members of this scheme are supposed to carry a badge, what’s to stop other riders just following the track and saying they’ve forgotten the badges if challenged? In fact since your rides are joined up with tracks across neighbouring land, over time this will be treated more and more like another right of way by locals on foot, starting with local lads full of bravado on an evening. Are you planning on extending this kind of scheme to the woods your currently selling in the South West? (where I’m looking)