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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that if it is dangerous for horses to

43 replies

HoleyMole · 08/08/2018 20:01

Walk on tarmac on a bridleway, then it is even more dangerous for them to walk on tarmac on a road because vehicles are going past?

Can someone please explain why one is safe and one isn’t because I genuinely don’t get it.

OP posts:
Original poster
HoleyMole · 08/08/2018 20:04

Sorry to be clear I have been told that tarmac is dangerous for horses on bridleways and shouldn’t be allowed - but apparently it is safe for them to hack on roads to get to the bridleways in question.

OP posts:
Teateaandmoretea · 08/08/2018 20:05

Told that by who exactly? Confused

lastqueenofscotland · 08/08/2018 20:05

Where have you heard this? It’s not a good idea to gallop a horse down tarmac... but otherwise not unsafe

Methe · 08/08/2018 20:06

It’s because riders may want to canter along a a bridle way which you can’t do on tarmac.

Bridleways are for horses, not twats in 4x4s.

Plimmy · 08/08/2018 20:07

OP, are you applying for motor access over a bridleway?

user139328237 · 08/08/2018 20:07

Presumably horse people aren't delusional enough to think that a public road should be adapted for the use of horses in such a way to make it less suitable for cars but see no reason for bridleways to be tarmac (which is equally unsuitable for learning to ride a bike and I believe actually is damaging for human knees to walk on).

Teateaandmoretea · 08/08/2018 20:07

There is no right to canter on a bridleway, only a right to use the path on a horse, foot or bike.

Teateaandmoretea · 08/08/2018 20:08

And there is no issue with driving on one if you have the permission of the landowner to do so or if you are the landowner.

Beamur · 08/08/2018 20:08

Depends on the incline of the route and if the Tarmac has a wearing course. Sometimes people want to tarmac private access roads which are also bridleways, but use an inferior product and don't put on a top dressing (tar and chippings) which will make the tarmac surface dangerously slippery - it will 'polish' with use and get more slippery, even if fairly flat. It's not comparable with what gets put on roads.

HelpmeobiMN · 08/08/2018 20:09

Less dangerous than parachuting them on to bridleways. How else are the supposed to get to them?

Tarmac isn’t ideal as a riding surface because it can cause splints (as it can to runners who consistently run on hard surfaces). That’s why it isn’t used for bridleways. But it’s fine for a horse to walk on to get to a bridleway.

Most riders would love to avoid roads with cars but it’s not possible to do so completely unless you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with incredible bridleway provision.

StepBackNow · 08/08/2018 20:10

Why on earth would anyone tarmac a bridleway? Very odd.

Beamur · 08/08/2018 20:11

There isn't a right to canter, but it is allowed. As long as you don't endanger other users.

Ishouldntbesolucky · 08/08/2018 20:12

I'm not sure who has told you tarmac is unsafe. It's not great for their legs - grass is better - and obviously much more fun! - but I wouldn't say it's unsafe as such. However most riders want to trot and canter on bridlepaths, so tarmac is no good for that. And it's ugly. If I go for a ride in the countryside then I want to ride in fields.

Teateaandmoretea · 08/08/2018 20:14

Why on earth would anyone tarmac a bridleway? Very odd.

Erm to drive on it? Lots of bridleways are tarmac for this reason.

Ticcinalong · 08/08/2018 20:17

No bridleways here are tarmaced. Surely once a path has tarmac to permit cars it is no longer a bridle way?

Teateaandmoretea · 08/08/2018 20:21

A bridleway is a right to cross private land. So whether it is grass or a rubble driveway or tarmac has no relevance to this. There isn't am automatic right to use a path just because it is tarmac hence 'private' signs. I am actually staggered you have never seen a tarmac bridleway do you only go on one or something?

Greyhorses · 08/08/2018 20:21

Why would someone want to drive on a bridleway? Confused

I ride on tarmac all the time but thankfully our bridleways are all dirt tracks/chipping.

Methe · 08/08/2018 20:24

Horses aside, why would one want roads all through the country side? Isn’t the joy of the country to get away from roads, and cars, and people.

Teateaandmoretea · 08/08/2018 20:25

Why would someone want to drive on a bridleway?

Well usually because it goes to their house or is a track that links different parts of their farm?

Original poster
HoleyMole · 08/08/2018 20:29

Council has said that “tarmac is dangerous for horses”. Because someone has put tarmac on their farm lane without permission (ironically in order to get their race horses down the farm track) the council is kicking off. I only found out because we are trying to grade ours as we have foot deep pot holes (incidentally they apparently are fine for both cars and horses!) and they are trying to stop us.

OP posts:
Original poster
HoleyMole · 08/08/2018 20:32

Most of the roads round us leading to the bridleway didn’t get top dressing on when they redid them about 6 years ago. Just a machine to roll it on. Horses trot on those so was genuinely curious where council got facts from.

OP posts:
Ticcinalong · 08/08/2018 20:37

No Tea it is just very rural here and we are blessed with lots of off road riding and bridleways. Vehicles are banned on bridlepaths, except cyclists must give priority to horses. I think you may be thinking of rights of way rather than bridlepaths.

Teateaandmoretea · 08/08/2018 20:37

Yeah lots of minor roads are shiny. Can you get legal advice? It sounds like utter nonsense to me.

Teateaandmoretea · 08/08/2018 20:39

No Ticci vehicles do not have right of way. If you are the landowner you are the landowner so have the right to do what you want on your lands. Unless it it NT/ Access land that would be different. But this isn't what we are talking about here.

TERFMcDuck · 08/08/2018 20:43

Tarmac might be slippery but I'd choose it over a rocky surface with big, sharp, rocks (barefoot horse). Or smooth sheet rock on a hill.
Tho tarmac on a steep downhill can be v scary so maybe that is the problem? Can you ask the council for their rational? I'd love to know!

If cars are allowed on a bridleway isn't it then a BOAT?