Access new information at bhs.org.uk

The British Horse Society’s Access Department has released revised advisory leaflets. The information is available free at the BHS website, www.bhs.org.uk

The leaflets have been produced as part of an ongoing campaign to update the Access Department’s literature, providing information for rights of way officers, new or experienced riders and landowners on aspects of good practice.

• Standards and Dimensions gives details of good practice in constructing and maintaining equestrian paths, for the rights of way professional or interested rider.

•  Finding Bridleways is useful for new riders who would like to try riding out, and for riders who move into a new area.

•  Clearing Rights of Way provides practical guidance to anyone wishing to hold a clearing party.

• Stallions on Bridleways provides advice for riders and keepers of animals on how best to avoid problems when keeping stallions near to equestrian rights of way. 

•  Riding on Beaches and Riding on Estuaries both provide lists of available riding.

New information has also been produced on how to start a bridleways group, and affiliating it to the BHS.

BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “The production of these revised leaflets is part of our ongoing work to inform riders, land managers and anyone involved with rights of way on how best to deal with issues surrounding equestrianism”.

Other advisory leaflets are also free to download at http://www.bhs.org.uk/Content/Acs-ORR.asp

For more information, please contact: Hannah Brown, BHS Executive Access and Publications, on 01926 707813 h.brown@bhs.org.uk or Pat Regan, BHS Administrator Access on 01926 707712  access@bhs.org.uk

The BHS has created a new role within Access, it is a District Access and Bridleways Officer (DABO) - dealing with bridleway issues in your own district area, reporting to the CABO.

 You recently signed a petition asking the Prime Minister to "Block amendments to the Highway code to stop people riding horses 2 abreast on the roads, and to formalise horse rider’s access to cycle paths."
The Prime Minister's Office has responded to that petition and you can view it here:
Prime Minister's Response
Prime Minister's Office
Petition information - Petition 

 The BHS is asking for last-minute amendments to the new Highway Code, which could be in force in August. The BHS suggested amendments to the new Highway Code to the Secretary of State back in February 2006. But according to BHS director of access, safety and welfare Mark Weston, some have apparently been ignored. The Code will forbid riding two horses abreast on narrow and busy roads and when riding around bends. It will also exclude horses from all cycle tracks. There can be many valid reasons for riding two abreast: groups of riders, nervous horses, novice riders, and defensive riding on winding country lanes where there is insufficient room for a car to pass a single horse safely. Breaches of the Highway Code could potentially be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts in order to establish liability in an accident. There are many cycle tracks which have been specifically designed for use by horse riders, and the loss of these would be very serious for those who rely on them.

Please consider signing up to http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Horseriding/