To think that if it is dangerous for horses to

[HoleyMole]

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.

Urgh, we had miles of lovely bridle way through some national trust land, which dog walkers and mountain bikers, hikers and horse riders all used happily and in mutual respect of each other for years. Was lovely as had great long stretch with excellent visability so could go for a gallop or let dogs blast off leads, knowing you would get ample warning to slow down if you saw someone else.
Then the trust put tarmac along it. So families with small children could cycle. Obviously great for the families. Less so for the horse riders who are now only able to walk so no point really going as the ride takes a billion years at walking pace and is rather boring. Plus horses get set upon by ooodles of small children wanting to pat them, with spangly bikes festooned with streamers and spokey dokeys all clinking away. It’s rather boring for the mountain bike people too.
I wouldnt mind, but it’s actually a bridleway and there are hardly any others our way. So you would think the primary surface should be one suitable for horses really.

The only reason I can think of, is we horse riders like a soft bridleway for faster work, and not tarmac. Plus a track over tarmac will also stop the bloody cyclists and prams. Sorry parents and cyclists but a bridleway is for horses, it's the only safe place we can ride and that is becoming less common

The surface of public highways belongs to the highway authority and the landowner does not have a right to disturb it. If the surface is disturbed it has to be restored within a short timeframe. So if a farmer drove his tractor repeatedly over a footpath rendering it too muddy and churned, he would have to, in principle, restore it to its former state. In practice local authorities don’t have the time or resources to police this but tarmacing over the surface is a significant change and I would expect them to intervene.

Horses can walk and trot on tarmac, but worn surfaces can be slippery and dangerous. They should not trot for long periods or canter on tarmac because it has no give and it can cause a variety of problems from splints to hoof bruising to ligament or tendon injuries.

Sorry, here’s is a link with the relevant bit es of legislation:

www.pittecroft.org.uk/ownership/ownershipofpaths.htm

Sorry to add, I'm all for sharing the bridleway with others but consideration needs to be given to horse riders. We don't get much of that around here.

I came across a double pram with squeaky wheels and flappy balloons once. The parent couldn't fathom why my mare was a little 'on her toes' and when I politely asked her to move over because she is likely to get flung into the hedge by my mares bloody great arse, she refused!

I think the countryside is there for all to enjoy safely, there’s plenty of roads for cars and bikes traversing the countryside, lots of footpaths much fewer bridlepaths where horses can canter and gallop which they can’t on tarmac. Good on the council for protecting this recreational facility. Presumably the property was purchased with the bridlepath in situ,

Yep it’s a good 40 minutes ride now from our yard to anywhere where we can canter really. Makes it really hard keep the horses fit in the winter with less daylight hours.

This is what is officially said. It's all about not obstructing access and maintenance which is what I world expect:
www.gov.uk/guidance/public-rights-of-way-landowner-responsibilities

No indication at all that the landowner can't drive tractors etc wherever they like. Arguably tarmac maintains it beautifully for all year round use.

I never said the landowner cannot drive a tractor over a public right of way. I gave an example of a landowner who drove a tractor over a right of way repeatedly, churned up the land and rendered it unusable. This is causing an obstruction and he’d be told to put it back to rights.

If you read the link above it quotes the relevant legislations.

Bridle paths/bride ways are rights of way, they are also minor highways. Technically the Council 'owns' the surface of all bridleways (even if the sub soil is privately owned). The nature of the surface will also be recorded in the 'Definitive Statement' if your Council has one and you may need formal,permission to change it.
Even if you own the land, you're not entitled to change a footpath or bridleway. Ask the Council what they need from you in order to improve the track.

But boo boos tarmacing would solve that issue, as you rightly say the key is that it has to be passable and not obstructed. It is one of the reasons that many bridleways are not the lovely grassy track that riders might want.

Beamur I think you are misunderstanding what 'change' means. You cannot change the route and you have to ensure its passable. It just comes back to the op needs to get some proper legal advice if this matters to her.

And the link earlier I'm not convinced is right. It doesn't say that on the government one.

Beamur is entirely right. The top surface of the public right of way belongs to the highways authority and the landowner needs permission to change it. The link I gave you teat refers to the relevant legislation. The summary you linked to does not refer to this complex issue but that doesn’t mean it is not legally covered. I have come across local local authorities that have had to intervene in similar cases and demand the surface be restored to its previous state.

The issue here is not just passage but use. Horses cannot trot for long periods or canter on tarmac therefore a tarmaced bridle way would be restrictive for the users. There are cycle ways which horses can go on to but as the principle users are cyclists the surface is suited to cycling.

Them’s the rules. The OP can apply for change of surface but her application is likely to be opposed and refused.

I actually do know quite a lot about this. Changing the route of a bridleway needs a legal order, but the surface is also protected in law and whilst you can change it, under certain circumstances, if you don't want to get it wrong and end up removing the very expensive surfacing you have laid, then ask the Council rights of way section first. Not planning, because they may not give you the right answer. Although significant works might also need planning permission.
The Gov.uk website is a good place to start, but is so compressed, it doesn't give you all the information you need. It is written to try and reflect the legislation, but I would advise against trying to interpret it to suit your purpose, it is no more than a brief snapshot. If you're a member, the British Horse Society will have some useful information.
There are several ways you can improve a bridleway track that will enable better vehicular access without spoiling it for riders.

Bridleways aren't just for horses either, they are for walkers, cyclists and equestrians. Horses don't have priority, although they are disadvantaged by there being fewer routes. The only place I've seen where horses are the only allowed users are on private routes built for cantering.
BOATS are routes which can legally be used by vehicles too, and you also have restricted Byways which can be used by all the same users as bridleways, plus carriages (I think)

a tarmaced bridle way would be restrictive for the users.

Many bridleways are completely impassable in the winter though. That is highly restrictive. The OP needs to get legal advice about this not rely on people on MN.

BOATS are routes which can legally be used by vehicles too, and you also have restricted Byways which can be used by all the same users as bridleways, plus carriages (I think)

But if you are the landowner you have the right to drive wherever you like. It's just everyone else who hasn't.

BOATS, bridleways, etc are definitions of PUBLIC rights only, they may be co-extensive with private rights (and often are).
If you want advice about surfacing a bridleway/private access road ask the Local Authority. You will get free advice. Or contact a lawyer or consultant who will charge you.