Where can I ride? Or Where you can’t ride in Herefordshire
I have been asked to draw riders attention to riding on farmland. Particularly in relation to the Single Payment Scheme and Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
“Riding on two metre margins (protection zones)
under the Single Payment Scheme.”
Horse riding is allowed on the 2 metre field margins that are required under the Single Payment Scheme. As long as permission is given by the farmer or it is on a public Bridleway, no damage is done and all the other relevant conditions are still met – such as the Good Agricultural and Environmental requirements laid out in the cross compliance conditions, and the 28 day limit is respected, where applicable. (ie if a charge is made).
This is not necessarily the case with land covered by other schemes, so unless the farmer has given you permission to ride on his land, you may not automatically ride on field margins. Where riders ride on a field margin without permission this may affect the status of the farmer’s payment and the rider might, technically be liable for the farmer’s financial loss.
Can I ride on margins on fields covered
by agri-environment schemes ? “NO. The margins created under these schemes are to provide environmental benefit, such as encouraging grounds nesting birds or certain species of wild flowers or insects. The riding of horses over these margins is therefore NOT allowed because of the likely disturbance/damage. These margins can be anything from 2-6 metres measured from the edge of the two metre cross compliance protection zone, and are created and managed on an entirely different basis to the margins in the Single Payment Scheme. Both types of margin can, and often will, exist in the same field.”*
In brief: If a public bridleway runs along the headland of a field – ride it. Any problems report to the Public Rights of Way Department**.
If the margins are not public bridleways you have to have permission from the farmer/landowner before you can ride it.
Not sure if it is a bridleway check with the Public Rights of Way Office who are responsible for the Definitive Map. Or consult Ordnance Survey maps***.
**Public Rights of Way Office contact details: -.
By e-mail: rightsofway@herefordshire.gov.uk
In writing: Mr Robert Hemblade, Public Rights of Way Manager,
P.O Box 4, Plough Lane, HEREFORD, HR4 0XH
By telephone: 01432 26 0572 By fax: 01432 383031
***Ordnance Survey maps Landranger 1:50 000 series (pink covers) show bridleways as red dashes.
Explorer series 1:25 000 (orange covers) show bridleways as green dashes.
It should also be remembered that these maps and the Definitive map are not always correct.
The BHS ask that you ride with consideration.
Do not stray off the line of the path
Do not damage timber or hedgerows by jumping.
Remember that horses’ hooves can damage surfaces in wet weather.
Pay particular attention to protected areas that have significant historical and/or biological value, as they can be extremely sensitive to damage.
BHS produce a number of leaflet on access matters and these can be downloaded from the website. www.bhs.org.uk. Access. Leaflets.
or obtained from BHS Stoneleigh.
*Ref: BHS The Bulletin extra 16 August 2005
Compiled by Brenda Pomfret |
