Pulling on your jodhpur boots to go for a hack in the woods should not be something you have to give a second thought to. However an increasing number of woodlands can now only accessed by riders who have paid for a permit.

As walkers and cyclists do not currently have to pay for the use of footpaths and cycle ways, many equestrians are claiming that the permit system is unfair and discriminatory. Riders unable or not wanting to pay for the permits are being forced off the bridleways onto the roads, putting themselves and other road users at risk.

The Forestry Commission are inviting all forest users to air their views on the future of public forest estates in a public consultation. The British Horse Society (BHS) are encouraging all equestrians to comment on this before the commission's consultation closes on the 28th September.

BHS regional access and bridleways officer for the southern region, Janice Bridger, said: "These are public forests where access for walkers and cyclists is free of charge, and access for equestrians should be free as well."

Hopefully the Forestry Commission will take notice of the views of equestrians and abandon the permit scheme so that all riders can jump in their riding boots or jodhpur boots and go for a hack without worrying about having to pay to ride.
[Image © g-hat via Flickr, under Creative Commons Licence]