Officers ride horses to learn about bridleway problems (From Stroud News and Journal)

Officers ride horses to learn about bridleway problems

4:00pm Wednesday 12th August 2009 in News By David Wiles

RIGHTS of way officers have been learning all about bridleway issues in the Stroud valleys – straight from the horse’s mouth.

A team of nine staff from Gloucestershire County Council went out on a horseback trek to experience problems from a rider's point of view.

Officer Mike Barton, who went out on the visit, said: "It was certainly interesting and extremely beneficial for us to go out and talk to riders and hear for ourselves what the issues are.

"We had a very productive morning and we learned a lot from the experts."

The trek was led by horse rider Sarah Ellis, who is also a rights of way officer, and William Reddaway, of the British Horse Society.

William is also chairman of Mid Cotswold Tracks and Trails Group, which aims to improve and expand the local routes for riders.

Sarah gave a talk on horses' hooves and legs, with regard to bridleway surfaces and William spoke about how to improve gates and other track-related safety issues.

Officers went on a three to four mile circular ride in the parishes of Horsley, Avening and Nailsworth.

Following the trip, they are looking into repairing the bridleway through Hazel Wood near Nailsworth.