We have not come across many electric fences across bridleways, but there are some. If you meet one, it is sometimes possible to disconnect it safely, although the disconnecter may be at the other end of the field. Please remember to re-connect the fence again after you've gone through. If you can't disconnect it, an electric fence is considered an obstruction and you may find a reasonable way round.

Electric fences used as temporary divisions across a pasture field are sometimes hard to see, specially ones made of wire rather than white tape and ones that are close to the ground. They sometimes run alongside bridleways. There should always be plenty of room - but take extra care. Look out for stock all in one part of the field or straight-line changes in the grass colour.

dogs
You may take a dog on a bridleway, but you must but not allow it to be a nuisance to other travellers. This means putting it on a lead if you are crossing a field containing livestock. You can get into serious trouble if your dog worries stock, particularly sheep - and you could be prosecuted for this sort of offence, fined, ordered to pay compensation to the owner of the stock and your dog could also be destroyed. Many overnight stops on the Bridle Rides networks do not welcome dogs, either because they have sheep or because they have their own dogs who may be disturbed by a newcomer. We're sorry, but for these reasons we are not able to accept dogs on Bridle Rides holidays.

Farm dogs and dogs belonging to other path users can also be a hazard, particularly if they are let of the lead and suddenly appear out of a gap or from under a hedge. The odd one may also bark at and/or chase horses.

gates
Technically, a gate is a concession to the landowner, granted by the Local Authority in order to control his livestock. In theory, all gates on bridleways should be maintained in a safe condition whereby they can be opened and closed by mounted riders. The law (which, of course, is based on old precedents) treats bridle-riders as essential travellers whose interests are paramount. Locked, collapsed or barbed wire gates which can't be opened are obstructions - and are thus illegal.

That's the law. However, in practice, although many gates are excellent, many are not. In our experience, you have to dismount for about 50% of gates (it varies from area to area). Some need to be lifted on or off their catches and some are tied with string. If you find a gate tied up with string that is difficult to undo, have no hesitation in cutting it - but remember to re-tie it if there is any chance that stock might escape. A very few are barbed wire gates, which are often hard to open and close and it is easy to scratch yourself on the wire. We try to avoid these as far as possible, or work with local Rights of Way teams to get them removed.

There are generally a lot of gates on bridleways in areas where livestock farming predominates - so if you and your horse are not already adept at opening and closing them, it's well worth spending time practising in advance. A lot of riders (including Bobbie from Bridle Rides) take a hunting crop or crooked stick to provide extended reach. All the gates on Bridle Rides routes could be opened (though sometimes only by dismounting) when we last rode them.

Some gates are specifically designed for riders. We refer to them as "bridlegates" in our route-notes, although they are not necessarily any easier to open than ordinary farm-gates. Some are unduly narrow and some have catches that stick out. We try to draw your attention to these haxards in the route-notes - but if you have a particularly wide horse or you are using saddlebags, take extra care. You may have to consider dismounting and/or taking off the saddle.

Always be sure to leave gates closed, even if you found them open (unless they were fastened open). Farmers generally prefer the chore of re-opening a gate that was meant to be left open to the risk of a gate being left open when it was meant to be shut.

bird-scarers
Bird-scarers look like small cannon and are powered by pressurised propane gas. They give off a loud bang, either at regular intervals or in a specific timed sequence. You tend to find them mainly in arable areas such as Bedfordshire or the Lincolnshire Wolds, and farmers sometimes site them near bridleways which run along farm tracks because of easy access. If you do have to pass one, wait at a safe distance and count the seconds between bangs so that you can nip past between them.

low flying military aircraft
The MOD and the BHS held a joint safety conference in September 2005 which came about following the coroner's enquiry into the death of Heather Bell in 2003 after her horse was spooked by a low flying Chinook helicopter. One of the key recommendations was that riders can increase their visibility to helicopter pilots by wearing hi-viz clothing that is visible from above, eg. a flourescent hat cover as well as a tabard. Apparently, helicopter pilots need to be able to spot riders when they are over half a mile away in order to take effective avoiding action. Once they are inside the half-mile "bubble", it is best if they keep flying because "pulling out" at the last minute makes even more noise.

Helicopter flying takes place in specific areas that the MOD describe as "Helicopter Dedicated User Areas" and "High Helicopter Activity" zones, where you may also see fixed wing aircraft. The ones which coincide our networks are the Helicopter Dedicated User Areas in Powys (Welsh Borders) and Central Southern England (the Wansdyke, Cranborne Chase and Sussex Rides), and the High Helicopter Activity Zone in South West England (the Dorset Rides and Exmoor). Click on the following link to get to a copy of the Safety Guide For Riders produced by the MOD and the BHS.

You could encounter a low flying fighter jet almost anywhere. Unless your horse is particularly nervous, they are only usually a problem if one passes directly overhead at low altitude, when the noise is both sudden and deafening. You can get details of specific training exercises which involve low flying up to 28 days in advance via the MOD's website, www.mod.uk/issues/low flying or by ringing their telephone helpline on 0800 51 55 44. However, please note that the website only lists major exercises which are scheduled in advance, and not day-to-day routine low flying, which is planned on a daily basis. If you are at all concerned, it is worth ringing the helpline on the morning of each ride and possibly also when you stop for your lunch break for the lastest, updated information.

other users on the bridleways

Other users constitute a different kind of hazard. Remember that they have the same rights as you to use the bridleways.

walkers
Bridleways can be used by walkers as well as riders. In some areas they are fairly common and they have as much right as you to be there. To children and people who are not used to them, horses can be quite frightening, and you may find that there are dogs and/or children some distance away from the main party of adults who may suddenly run out of a hedge or gap.

It is often surprisingly difficult for walkers to hear horses approaching, so pass them at a walk.

other horse riders
You meet surprisingly few other riders on the bridleways, but there are some. Be prepared to meet horse riders coming in the opposite direction at least as fast as you - and don't canter unless you can see well ahead. Always pass other riders at a walk - some horses kick!

mountain-bikers
Increasingly you may meet mountain-bikers on bridleways. They have the same legal right to use them as you do, but they should give way to horses. Because bikes are virtually silent, especially if they are approaching from behind, you may meet them unexpectedly and they may spook your horse. They are encouraged to shout or ring a bell to alert riders to their prescence, but they don't always - and on firm, level surfaces they can go quite fast.

Although mountain-bikers may present a hazard when you meet them on a bridleway, horse riders in general benefit very considerably from their activities. They are an important pressure group who help to persuade County Councils to devote money to maintaining and waymarking bridleways. Many Bridle Rides customers are accompanied by mountain-bikers. Phil at Bridle Rides is a very experienced cyclist and accompanies Bobbie when she's out checking the routes, so we have lots of in-house experience and even have a special page of hints for bikers.

motor-bikes
Motorbikes and 4 wheel drive cars can legally use by-ways (with the exception of the new restricted by-ways set up under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act) and Roads Used as Public Paths (RUPPs). Unless you have consulted the Definitive Map held by the local Rights of Way Team, you are unlikely to know the exact legal status of the track you are on, so it is best to treat any motorcyclists you meet as being entitled to use it.

They are usually easily identifiable from a distance by their noise - and the ones we have met have all been helpful and considerate, getting well in to the side and switching off their engines.

livestock
Bridleways often pass through fields containing stock, which is quite legal. Choose a pace which doesn't disturb them, even if this means riding at a walk.

Only some bulls can be kept in fields through which bridleways run, and only under certain conditions. Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981, no bull may ever be kept on its own or with other bulls in a field with a bridleway through it unless it is under 10 months old. If you meet a bull on a bridleway, it should be a beef breed running with a herd of cows or heifers. We have found that bulls with females in tow are normally quite peaceable - but take care not to come between them and their harem, especially the favourite of the moment!

If you find a bull you think is dangerous, you are entitled to consider it an obstruction - so make your way round the field at a safe distance and let us know so that we can try to get it removed. Please note that because farmers move stock around at short notice, we don't always warn you about bulls in the Route-guides.

It is perfectly legal to keep horses in a field on a bridleway - even stallions (though we have not met any). A group of frisky young horses can be quite an unpleasant hazard and, although we do try to avoid fields where horses are kept regularly, this is not always possible - particularly as most owners move their horses around according to grazing needs. Fortunately most horses are inquisitive and playful rather than aggressive. Shoo them away and trot purposefully across the field, taking extra care when opening gates and especially if you are riding a mare in season. If you have real trouble, let us know.