River ride

[Jessey]

We have very few bridle paths and very little non forest riding so I've been on at the council to improve this path since 2014, I'm sure I posted about my first experience of it then but can't find it now.

They spent £60k+ last year and improved part of it, but some of the other parts I still wouldn't consider safe, 2 horses ended up belly deep in the muddy bank last year and an older lady broke her leg just walking along it and had to be rescued by boat because it was deemed unsafe for the emergency crews to get in there I went along it yesterday to find out how the further improvements the council promised have changed it.

It's a nice ride, just a few dodgy bits.

The new horse steps put in last year, Jess' first try on these, I'm glad she went slow, we've been working on that as she normally rushes things she's unsure of

There's rivers either side here, it's just the smaller one on the right is completely hidden by the reeds, the banks drop off straight away from the edge of the new path (3ft wide)

This bits much improved since they cut the weeds back so you can see if it's solid ground
Leaning trees force you right on to the bank edge here, a little unnerving!
Another leaning branch forcing us close to the edge
Looking back at that section

 

[Trewsers]

Lovely pictures, but yes, I can see those trees would force you very close to the edge

 

[Jessey]

The path is half on forestry commission land and half county council, the FC have been great at working with us and keeping their end clear, it's notable once you get onto the CC end.

The path pushes you right to the edge, the bank drops away here level with my foot the bit beyond is just long weeds on the steep bank


A downed tree, cleared just enough for walkers to pass, no bloody hope going under it with a horse
So we went this way, over the logs, knee deep in branches, bloody good job jess behaves!
The back of my field, at this point jess heard hank and she turned into a distraught hormonal mess

 

[Trewsers]

Oh no, that's a shame she got upset hearing the boys
Yes and what a good job she is so good in general - looks like quite an arduous ride in places, idyllic to look upon but not so good being knee deep in long growth etc.

 

[Jessey]

There's a few of these little bridges

But the last one forces you to the edge

Plain sailing after that I thought but we hit traffic coming up the High Street due to road works, we only needed to go a 1/4 miles along, but because Jess had heard hank along the river she didn't want to wait and put on a horrific temper tantrum in the middle of the traffic jam, threw herself all over including into oncoming traffic twice, accross the footpath into a stone wall and was plunging and skidding, would settle for a few seconds then start again, I was so horrifically embarrassed bloody hormonal wench she'd have been OK if we'd have kept moving, she just didn't want to stop. But the drivers all just gave us space and as soon as the traffic moved she was good as gold again. Mares, who'd have them!

 

[chunky monkey]

Well that was an entertaining and interesting ride for you. Lovely pictures.

 

[Bodshi]

That looks such a lovely ride, or most of it anyway. Must admit I would be wary of riding that path between the rivers - I've ridden quite close to river banks occasionally, but never when there's been a steep drop-off or a lot of vegetation that could be hiding monsters - I found myself teleported off the bridlepath 6 feet sideways into a stubble field yesterday before I even realised a spook was coming (Raf is feeling gooood atm). Wouldn't have liked to have been teleported into the river! Jess is a good girl, shame about the strop at the end

 

[Trewsers]

Mares eh?!!! Good job she has a good rider

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

Coo. Do you think Jess knows when the path is unsafe, or does she depend on you?

I think Ziggy and I could fit under that tree, if I got off...

 

[Jessey]

Coo. Do you think Jess knows when the path is unsafe, or does she depend on you?

I think Ziggy and I could fit under that tree, if I got off...

She's in charge of legs/feet and me steering and speed, she used to rush tricky bits, she's always been more about braun than brains but she's learning to go easy for difficult stuff and think more which I'm really happy about
I'm 5'4" and the bottom of the branch was about chin height