Are YOU Riding Responsibly?

Riders should ride with courtesy, care and consideration for all other users of the roads and routes they use.

Most horse riding in Scotland is currently carried out with permission from landowners and managers except where rights of way are used. In the light of the new Land Reform Act there are some basic rules of responsible access which should be followed now and whenever you take access on other people’s land. Pause a moment and think as to whether you follow these simple guidelines when accessing the countryside.

Responsibility to other users:

	Always be courteous to people you meet and respect everyone’s privacy and peace.
	Give way to walkers and remember that other users of the countryside may be elderly, disabled, children or just simply afraid of horses.
	Remember that you have to take responsibility for your own actions, to take care of your own safety and that of others.

Responsibility to Land Managers:

	Leave all gates as you find them
	Ride slowly past all livestock
	Do not access fields in which there are grazing horses or animals which might be a danger
	Leave your dog at home unless you are wholly confident of keeping it under complete control in all situations
	Get permission before you carry out repetitive schooling on other people’s land. Jumps or custom-made gallops should not be used without permission
	Do not hold up land operations when you take access
	The size of groups of riders should be governed by the ground conditions at the time so as not to damage the riding surface

 

Responsibility towards the Natural Heritage:

	Remember that horses’ hooves can damage surfaces particularly in wet conditions
	Take particular care in protected areas that have significant historical and/or biological value as they can be extremely sensitive to damage
	Do not damage timber or hedgerows by jumping
	Think before you access land and enjoy your riding!

 

Safety Considerations:

Please tell someone which route you are taking and when you expect to be back, or leave a note in the yard/on the lorry. Carry a mobile phone if you can.

It is recommended that reflective gear be worn by all riders when accessing public roads.

Click here to see the Forestry Commission Riding Code

 

Harmony for Shooting and Riding Shooting and country sports organisations must be congratulated for the way they have reacted to our safety concerns after a rider and horse were severely injured in an incident last year. This year's edition of the Code of Good Shooting Practice contains substantial reference to shoots' relationship with riders. Like most things, however, its success depends on co-operation. With the shooting season now upon us, riders with shoots nearby would do well to obtain and read the Code to see what guidance is being given to guns. The BHS was consulted about the revised Code, but I would still like to hear any views on how it might be improved. Riding and shooting are both country pursuits and the way forward is for both to live side by side. Horses and Walkers Shoot managers and Guns must have special regard to the safety of riders and their horses. Noise from gunfire, beaters working in cover adjacent to bridleways or the sound of falling shot can all cause a horse to bolt. Where possible shoot orgnisers should liase with local riders or stable yards, informing them when shoots are taking place. It may be appropriate for shooting or beating to pause to allow horses or other rights of way users to pass. All Guns should be made aware of bridleways and other rights of way as well as any fields in which horses are kept. Drives should be organised with this in mind. (Extract from: The Code of Good Shooting Practice leaflet 2003) The Code of Good Shooting Practice may be obtained by sending an sae to: The Secretary, Code of Good Shooting Practice, Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL (Shiela Hardy, BHS Head of Safety) (Extract from Letters, NFU Countryside Dec 2003)

 

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