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Lynda Elliott
Bronze Member
 Scotland
69 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Feb 2005 : 11:31:49 AM
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I have a dilema right now - and believe I am correct in what I'm saying but would appreciate any/all advice anyone can give me.
I live in a very rural part of Scotland and there are not a great many horses in our area. My friend has two, as do I and another girl has 2 but she never rides  Anyway, last weekend I was out on the Sat. on Corrie and met in with my pal on her horse - unplanned - we decided to ride together and had a good ride.
One of her horses in currently on box rest and has been for 11 weeks. Anyway, on our way back from our ride I said I was going to ride past her's on my other horse and was this ok ? Asking purely because I didn't want to upset either of her horses, the one on box rest or the one she was riding which would, by then, be turned out. At this point I have to add that she lives in the village and the public road goes past her field and house. She said this was ok and off I went.
On riding Caffrey past her field, her horse who was o/side went absolutely berserk ! Galloping around the field, screaming his head off and basically acting like a thing possessed ! Later that day I phoned her to see what she was up too and how things were - she was decidedly cold with me. Transpires her horse had seriously cut it's leg while dashing around the place and needed 4 stitches in it - ouch. Now, I DO feel guilty about this, who wouldn't. She has not directly blamed me for it - although she has said it happened when I rode past. Fair comment - I cannot argue with that. However, as I have said she lives in the village beside the public (main) road; we live on a farm 1.5 miles from nearest road with wonderful tracks going past my field. We all ride on both the tracks past mine AND the road past hers. I ALWAYS walk through the village and expecially past her house and field. Wish the same coutersy was extended when they pass mine ! I tend to get trotted, cantered, whatever - by and hey ho.
Anyway - now I've been asked, by this friend, NOT to ride past her's unless I make sure her horse is in ! I phoned on Sat. to make sure I could ride past and was told if I hurried up, went past once and once only then "I suppose it'll be ok - but hurry up as I want to put my horse out".
If this was anyone else I doubt I would bother phoning - I mean, don't get me wrong it's a dreadful thing to have happened and I am very upset about it and I do feel bad, I hate hearing about any animal getting hurt. BUT, on the other hand - I don't think this was MY fault, not really. Can she stop me from riding past her's considering it's a public road ? Would the answer be for me to phone and say 'I am riding past in a while' and leave it to her to bring her horse in should she want too ?
If I can't ride past her's and through the village I loose 60% of my riding and the shorter loops I can do when the nights start getting lighter. No one else has any objection about me riding through the village - in fact they all enjoy seeing the horses.
If anyone can advise where I stand legally I would be grateful, I really, really don't want this to get nasty but I need to know where I stand in this situation so I can do the correct thing. I have been told I can, legally, stop people riding past mine if I wish as my garden is split and the track goes through it, but I wouldn't like to do that . . .
Lynda.
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Argue Not With Dragons For Thou Art Crunchy And Go Well With Brie ! |
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joycemelvin
Platinum Member
Scotland
1574 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2005 : 11:38:10 AM
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As far as I'd be concerned a public road is a public road, you can't be responsible for what her horse does when going past, I'm presuming its acting like this due to the lack of company and maybe you could suggest that she get a friend for it whilst her other horse is on box rest..you're actually being good in the fact that you're telling her you will be riding past and making her aware, I wouldn't think you'd be under any legal obligation to do this.
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sub
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
1919 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2005 : 12:34:41 PM
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I agree with Joyce.
Itīs a public road - she cannot stop anyone from riding along it. You are under no legal obligation to contact her with a for warning that you will be riding past.
It is unfair to expect you to call to ask permission to ride past her house - you are being sensible and riding past at a walk.
With regards to your own property - you can put up signs that request riders walk whilst on your land - it doesnīt always work, but most riders will respect it.
My stallion paddock was next to a bridle way and riders always stopped to look at the stallion - getting him all worked up in the process. I put a sign up requesting that they did not stop and kept to a walk - all but 1 rider did what I asked.
Susan |
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KNIGHTS ARABIAN
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2216 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2005 : 1:12:41 PM
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Hi
I have to agree with both of the above a public road is exactly that, no one can tell you not to ride past or ask you to phone before hand. Its not your problem. Enjoy your riding.
Denise
www.knightsarabians.com |
Knights Arabians
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angel2002
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2502 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2005 : 1:37:36 PM
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Sorry Lynda,
I agree with the others, it's a public road, you DO NOT have to call her first. She has no say on when you can or can not ride on a public highway. You carry on as usual, she can hardly blame you for her horses problem.
Angel
Angel |
Angel
Passion Arabians
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tracey_c
Gold Member
England
1009 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2005 : 1:55:29 PM
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Lynda, You are right. It is a public road and therefore can be used by members of the public ie YOU!!! She cannot stop you from riding and if here horse needs the company, she should provide it. Horses are herd animals and prefer to be with others - it is unatural for him to be on his own and that is why he reacted the way he did. Just remeber - you have every right o ridepast there
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Lynda Elliott
Bronze Member
Scotland
69 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2005 : 2:06:29 PM
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Thank you very much 
I did think I was right, I am sorry her horse hurt himself but I don't believe it was our fault.
I will try and be very brave and just keep going for it 
Thank you, for your advise I do appreciate it.
Lynda.
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Argue Not With Dragons For Thou Art Crunchy And Go Well With Brie ! |
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