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  • Plan your route before you set off and take a map with you in case you get lost. Tell someone where you are going too.
  • If you are riding in the evening, ensure you have sufficient time to return to your stable before dark. If riding off road, ensure you know the route and leave a little extra time in case you have to alter your route or have an incident.
  • Wear Hi Viz to allow tractors and low flying aircraft to see you and your horse, so they can avoid you. You can find out more about low flying military aircraft by clicking here
  • Cyclists can be spooky, but they are allowed to use bridle paths as long as they give way to horses. Horses are only allowed to use off road cycle paths if there isn’t a sign saying “No Horses”, and horses are not allowed in cycle lanes on roads. For more information on cycling events taking place near you, click here.
  • Find more information on off road riding and bridle paths by clicking here
  • Ensure you have permission from Landowners before riding on public land.
  • Remember to respect the land you are riding on; if the ground is wet it isn’t courteous to gallop divots across it. If the field has planted crops stay as close to the edge as possible and ride single file.
  • Livestock can be upset easily by horses and vice versa. Don’t canter or gallop through sheep or cattle.
  • Make sure all gates are closed if you opened them.
  • Gates can be difficult to open and close. It may be a good idea to take someone with you, on a horse or on foot/bike, to help with unknown gates or hazards. You can also practice dismounting and remounting your horse from the ground in an enclosed space so your horse learns to stand still and you get used to not using a mounting block.
  • The Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship advises everyone to take string and a hoof pick with them, just in case a gate needs to be tied up, your tack breaks or your horse gets foot sore when riding over stony ground.