Q. What can Wales offer horse riders?
A. With more than 6,000km of bridleways - through picturesque forests, across golden sandy beaches, and over scenic mountains - Wales has plenty to offer the horse rider. See individual sections to find out more.
Q. Which routes am I allowed to ride on?
A. You may of course ride on all bridleways. A bridleway is classed as 'a highway over which the public have right of way on horseback or leading a horse' (Highways Act 1980). Cyclists and pedestrians also use bridleways. You may also ride on Byways Open to All Traffic and Restricted Byways (previously known as 'roads used as public paths'.) All of these should be marked on an Ordnance Survey map. You are also allowed to ride on some Forestry Commission tracks.
Q. My horse is a very wide cob - will the routes be suitable for him?
A. The standard width for bridleways is intended to be sufficient to allow two riders to pass comfortably in opposite directions. The Rights of Way Act 1990 defines this as a minimum width of 2m across a field, or 3m along a field edge. In practice, some routes may be wider than this. Others may appear narrower if overgrown. If you encounter problems, contact the British Horse Society and/ or the local Council Rights of Way section who may be able to help.
Q. Will the routes be waymarked?
A. Bridlepaths are marked with blue discs or arrows, or sometimes with a green arrow or picture of a horse. Byways Open to All Traffic are marked red. Restricted Byways have no colour. Some routes may be waymarked along their length, but all should be signposted where they leave the road. Footpaths, which you are not allowed to ride on, are marked in yellow.
Q. The route I am on is blocked. What do I do?
A. It is illegal to obstruct a bridleway. First you should check your map to ensure you are definitely on the right route. If you are certain you are on a bridleway or byway and the route is marked 'Private no entry', it is possible that the byway has been legally extinguished or diverted, so it is a good idea to ask a local resident or farmer for their opinion. If you are sure that the route is still open, you may safely ignore the instruction and ride on, as the sign is illegal.
If the marked route is blocked by a crop, you may ride through the crop on the line of the bridlepath. If this is not possible, you may ride around the field edge.
A bridleway across a field may be ploughed, but must be restored within two weeks so that it is fit for horses to ride and the line can be clearly seen (Rights of Way Act 1990).
If the route is blocked by wire or a locked gate, you must not cause damage, or allow livestock to escape, but you are entitled to find an alternative route around the obstruction and continue along your route.
To help other riders and ensure the obstruction is removed, contact the British Horse Society and/ or the local Council Rights of Way section to report the blockage on your return.
Q. What responsibilities do landowners have regarding rights of way?
A. A landowner must not obstruct public rights of way that cross their land, or cause a nuisance to anyone using them. Landowners have a responsibility to maintain gates and stiles in a safe condition, to cut back overhanging branches, and to ensure that crops do not grow on or obstruct a path. They must have regard for public safety - this includes not keeping an animal considered to be dangerous in an enclosure through which a public right of way passes.
Q. How fit does my horse need to be?
A. Speed and terrain tend to be the deciding factors, more than distance. Most horses that are ridden regularly will be happy with 15-20 miles over a couple of days, if you take it easy. Remember that a gentle trot doesn't use much more energy for your horse than an active walk, so a quiet trot on the flat can help cover the ground more quickly if your horse seems to be tiring.
Q. I only have an hour - how far can I ride?
A. If you are riding a bridleway or trail you don't know well, you will probably only be able to average three or four miles an hour. This is because neither you nor your horse knows the path, and you will need to allow time to check the route, open gates, deal with hazards etc. The terrain and going will also make a difference - a trail over steep or hilly terrain will take longer than a flat one, while a level grassy track can be ridden more quickly than an uneven, stony one or a very muddy one.
Q. What type of horse is most suitable?
A. Almost any type of horse is suitable, unless they are very traffic-shy or spooky. They need to be able to open and shut gates, cross streams and main roads, and go through fields with grazing livestock. They need to stand to be mounted, and it helps if they can be tied up safely. Provided they satisfy these conditions, a young horse is as good as a veteran horse, and a thoroughbred type is as good as a cob or pony. However, the sure-footed, mountain bred Welsh Cobs and ponies probably have the edge in the most mountainous regions.
Q. Do I need insurance?
A. You are strongly advised to arrange insurance at least for your horse, both against accidental injury, and third party liability.
Q. How long can I ride for without a break?
A. You should not ride for more than about three hours without a break. Horses are designed to graze frequently - take a break at least every three hours to dismount and let your horse pick at the grass. It is also a good idea to dismount and walk for five minutes or so at least every hour and a half - it will ease your own joints and muscles, and benefit your horse to have a break from carrying you.
Q. Where can I offer my horse water?
A. Every time there is a suitable supply, it is a good idea to encourage your horse to drink. Water from streams and drinking troughs in farms and grassy fields should be fine, but it is best to avoid troughs in cultivated fields, in case they are contaminated with pesticides. Some horse box parking areas have taps for filling buckets. It is important to carry suitable drinking water for yourself, and to take frequent drinks to avoid dehydration.
Q. Where can I stay with my horse?
A. See 'Take your own Horse' under 'Holiday' section of this website. See also British Horse Society - Bed and Breakfast for Horses.
Q. Can I ride on the beach?
A. Some beaches welcome horse riders, others do not, and still others require permits for riding. See 'Beach' riding in Wales section for further details.
Q. I can't get a signal on my mobile phone and I need help - what do I do?
A. Dial 112 - your phone will search for any signal from any other service provider. You will probably be able to get a signal from someone. You can then call for help.
Useful links:
British Horse Society - Offers advice and information about access and rights of way, as well as providing free leaflets on all aspects of off-road riding that can be downloaded.
Countryside Council for Wales
Forestry Commission - Horse Riding in Wales
British Horse Society Ride-UK - the National Bridleroute Network in Wales