Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
British Horse SocietyScotland
Horse riding – issues and good practice guidance
Alice JaggardBHS Scotland
September 2011
Key access issues for horse riders and carriage drivers
Locked gates Tracks not re-instated Unsuitable surfaces
Key access issues for horse riders and carriage drivers
Dunging – on paths, tarmac or hard
surfaces, agricultural land, forestry
Competition from other users
Key equestrian access issues for landowners
Churning upof tracks byHorses hooves
Balancing interests of all users
Keeping mechanised users out (e.g. motorcycles) whilst allowing others access
Common Concerns from Landowners / Land Managers / Other users
• Affect on land management activities – game and clay pigeon shooting
• Landowner’s family / other users are afraid of horses• Dung left on tracks and paths• Damage to tracks and paths• Gates left open – livestock issues• Dogs not under control• Some riders attitude – “I have a right”• Density of horses in the area• Riding through a neighbours garden
Irresponsible EquestrianAccess
• Most riders are responsible but there are always a few that give the rest a bad name.
• It is the one bad apple that makes the whole barrel bad (in the eyes of land managers).
• This is where we risk being locked off access.• Where possible self police – you are all likely to
loose access if even one rider is irresponsible• Don’t give land managers a reason for restricting
your right of access.
Questions
&
Comments
Success stories
Use of vehicle barriers - Horse-friendly gate
non-motorised vehicles can opening up new rides
still take access
Success stories
How BHSS is spreading the word
• Literature– SNH - Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
– BHS
• Access Fact Sheet
• Dung guidance
• Equestrian Access in Scotland (joint guidance with Scottish Land & Estates)
• Are you riding responsibly?
• Access Reps in each Region• Affiliated Access Groups• Working with other organisations• Trade stands and other events
Dung Facts
• Dung is mainly digested grass, it is bio-degradable, in small amounts is useful in compost bins
• Dung from a healthy horse presents no threat to human health
• Different for dogs – Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003
– It is an offence if a person does not immediately remove their dog’s faeces from any public open space, this includes riders who take their dogs with them.
• Horses usually dung towards the start of a ride• Some horse stop to dung, some never dung
when being ridden, some dung at speed!
Dung Advice!• Dung and Public Roads
– No legislation to oblige BUT• If you dung outside
someone’s driveway…• It comes down to courtesy• Especially with large yards
• Dung and Paths, Tracks and off road routes– If your horse starts to dung
try to position its bottom to the side / verge
– If your horse dungs on a multiuse path it is responsible and courteous to:
• Dismount and kick to the side
BHS Scotland do advise courteous and responsible yards to do regular ‘poo-runs’ on heavily used routes
• Dung and Car Parks– Never clean out your lorry
or trailer in a car park or layby
– If your horse dungs while tied to your box you should always take it home
General Advice Dealing with an Access Issue
• Yes, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives riders the same access rights as walkers and cyclists, so long as it is taken responsibly but be aware that land managers do find equestrian access more difficult to accept.
• Calm and polite communication directly with the land manager should always be the first approach. If on horseback, dismount to hold the conversation.
• Contacting the BHS or local authority should follow an attempt by you to resolve the issue yourself which has been unsuccessful
How YOU can help
• Ride responsibly, kick aside / pick up your dung• Make sure your whole yard does so too• ‘Self police’… remember, one bad apple turns the whole
barrel bad• Put up dung posters at access points on mixed use
paths / make other literature available• Keep in touch, let us know when / how we can help• Create and maintain harmonious partnerships• Think about the number of horses who may be using the
same routes• Do regular ‘poo-runs’ on these heavily used routes
Questions
&
Comments
Further information
Contact:
Helene Mauchlen or Alice [email protected] [email protected]
British Horse Society Scotland
Woodburn Farm
Crieff PH7 3RG
01764 656334
www.bhsscotland.org.uk
