£2m of funding has been unveiled by the Chancellor to improve pathways for riders, walkers and cyclists.

British Horse Society has welcomed the news with open arms after years of campaigning for the changes. “After years of patient campaigning, The British Horse Society’s fight to secure for equestrians the sort of provision previously available only to walkers and cyclists is beginning to pay off," said Dr Phil Wadey, BHS Chairman.

The funding has come from the ‘Paths for Communities’ grant scheme and the new bridleways will not just open up beautiful parts of the country to visit on horse back but will also help to reduce the amounts of accidents on the roads. At the moment, riders are expected to do a lot of road work where safety equipment such as reflective horse rugs and tabards, plus a constant awareness are paramount. The new paths will give riders an alternative, safer route with a shocking figure of riders currently having access to only 22% of the right of ways.

Who knows, maybe in the future we will be seeing more hoof prints than Wellington boot marks around the country’s right of ways!