Walkers v Landowners The DIFFICULTY of walking in the Countryside, it just gets WORSE
Sometimes we feel not welcome on rights of way and public footpaths. We find obstructions and obstacles on paths where we have to divert our course. Does this happen to you?
In this video, we will explore a challenge that we seem to be encountering more and more often when filming our walks. Something that has left us feeling frustrated, annoyed and occasionally really scared.
From cows to barbed wire, mud and stubborn horses, sometimes walking in the countryside is not easy, and some farmers definitely give you a sense that you are not welcome. We understand that a farmer will want to protect his livestock, after all it is their income and we respect that. But in the last 12 months we have encountered some circumstances that simply mean a right of way is no longer passable. We feel that the already unhappy partnership between rambler and landowner has deteriorated over the years with blatant efforts to put a rambler off.
With the governement trying to restrict our access on private land, rescinding the historic right of a footpath, and council budgets under pressure, as a rambler, what do you do to protect our rights?
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We are Sarah and Andrew and we film our walks around Cornwall and publish on KZhead, usually weekly. Sometimes we stay in accommodation in Cornwall and upload our vlog. Sarah is fascinated by sea glass and likes to collect it so there may be the occasional sea glass video too. The channel is a hobby and we both have normal day jobs!
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There are two sides to this problem and we experience both sides. We own a 5.5 acre grazing field adjoining our garden with a public footpath running across as well as a riverside footpath on the edge of the field on the outside of the sheep fence. Being country lovers and keen walkers ourselves, I am regularly out with a brushcutter during the summer to make sure that there is always a 1.5m+ path clear of stingy nettles etc. Most people appreciate this and stop to have a chat. But a few stop to question why I am interfering with a public footpath. This year a fisherman who was causing damage to the river bank insisted that because the the footpath was a public path, the land either side was public land and therefore partly owned by him. Every year we have incidents where lambs in the grazing field are chased by dogs, causing much stress to the lambs and ourselves, despite "please keep dogs on leads" signs on both gates of the path running across the field. Interestingly, most people assume that youngsters would be responsible for such behaviour but in our 30 years at the property it has always been middle to upper end of the age spectrum that have caused problems. Examples being the 60+ year old lady who used to leave the gates wide open during Covid because she felt that she should not have to touch the gates. Yet she was happy to touch the gates to open them. The last two weeks we have had photographic equipment pointing at the gates in order identify the person who was leaving a gate open every morning and actually wedging it wide open in the dark in the evening. It turned out to be a new regular user of the path who uses it to walk to town for their daily routine. Perhaps they didn't like the idea of having to walk over sheep droppings in a sheep grazing field. The possibility of the sheep/lambs escaping and causing an accident involving say a motorcyclist doesn't bear thinking about. Then there is the rubbish dropped on or alongside the paths such as used tissues, plastic bags with dog poo etc. All this hassle is from owning just 5.5 acres. I feel for the farmers who have paths running over 50 or 250 acres and are trying to make a living from the land. There is a need to rationalise UK's public footpath network so that land can be used effectively for its primary purpose which is food production. At the moment there are often multiple footpaths running through fields, some in the middle of fields, which makes farming extremely difficult.
The old dog... thank you for explaining your side. We need to support our farmers and keep walkers safe too. .....I had to do a PS as youtube doesn't let me do another message. Yes I would be afraid to be in a field with a lively horse or many cows...and would stay on tarmac.
@@cathydyer3774 Thank you. Being a keen walker and not trusting of animals with whom I do not haver a bond, I suffer both sides' frustrations. I will not go through a field with cows or horses unless they are some distance from the path and I would have a good chance of getting to the other side before they could get to myself. Planning/taking alternative routes is just one of those things that is sometimes necessary.
Great reply explaining things to people 👍🏻
I have'nt read all of your arguement, but answer me this. Out of 10 different teams crossing RIGHT OF WAY land, how many cause problems ?
@@blackbob3358 I've not presented any argument, just my experience as someone who sits in both camps - a keen walker who regularly walks on others' land and owner of a small piece of land with a RoW. Rather than asking me for answers to your questions, please read my post with an open mind if you so wish. Perhaps you would care to answer my question - why should a land owner have to suffer any of the highlighted problems, regardless of statististical probabilities?
Thank you, very informative, I tried to find some standing stones near Castle au Dinas near Newquay & found them in a farmers field, some had either fallen or been knocked down, presumably by farmers machinery, and the fiddlers stone was missing. As far as livestock is concerned walking by hedge, rather than through the middle can help, but poor maintenance of bye ways is not just confined to Cornwall I'm afraid, underfunding has been a problem for decades. I really like your channel, your enthusiasm shines through, and a little tip for horses being a nuisance is to have a couple of sugar lumps, you can leave them like a trail leading away from access points
I am glad that you both raised this issue! I am currently walking the entire length of the River Severn (226 miles) for my own YT channel, and I have come across lots of footpath issues and problems with cattle, in particular. Last time the cows were all congregating around the kissing gate. It was very difficult to get past. Great video Andrew and Sarah! Take care, Paul
In the USA we don't have public access areas. It would feel strange for me to go through someone's land and here people are very protective of their property. We do have county, state and national parks where most of us would go hiking. When in Cornwall we did really enjoy the trails and their unique areas. I think the horse stole the show!
When horses stamp their feet it’s because of animals such as flies that tickle their leg, and they stomp to remove the tickling. They are never ever trying to hurt humans when they stamp their feet. The horse shouldn’t be fed carrot, apple, sugar lumps or any other food, as it encourages the horse to go after humans and nip them to get more of the treats, which they really don’t need
I walk a lot in Cornwall. I have had several incidents where I have been surrounded by cows. It is so scary! Also I find that all the money goes to the coastal tourist routes and the inland routes are left unattended and impassable.
Great video as always. We were once chased by a herd of bullocks with our 3 young children and had to leap a barbed wire fence into a ditch. Was very scary! We're all quite wary of cow fields now. We loved this video - our children did a brilliant sailing course with the Children's Sailing Trust this summer at Porth Saxon beach. And my husband and I had a lovely walk around the Helford River valley each day. Was so lovely. Think it's my favourite part of Cornwall. ❤ Jx
Some of the problems have arisen over fights between the rambling association and farmers, mainly because ramblers were unwilling to compromise such as walking around a hedge when the footpath went straight across the field and there were crops in the field , trampling them down because the map showed it straight across the field. This is farmers Income being destroyed and deprivation of their own rights. Farmers asking to move footpaths to make it safer and better for both parties find the r amblers blocking any such move , not surprising under increasing pressure from government with no subsidies farmers are getting irritated with ramblers and walkers alike. Rambling association needs to be more flexible and sensible in approach to farmers concerns. All said and done farmers are our protectors of rural scene and always have been
Absolutely spot on. 👍
We all have rights, somehow, they are made difficult for us to enforce, even in a court.
Like and shared out in you tube community. ⌚. Awesome watch. 👌
This is big problem with incomers living the ‘Escape to The country’ ideal. They buy a house then start moaning about countryside noises, countryside smells, church bells, livestock, cows blocking roads when moving between milking and pasture … and so on. I wish people would spend some time on farm holidays before moving.
Better to play safe as you did , cows and horses are very unpredictable, I’ll always go around animals , love your videos , it’s a lovely gentle tonic at the end of a week , thank you both 👍
Great video. And thankyou for mentioning Ludgvan, always wondered how it was pronounced!
❤
It is so good to see two such experienced walkers expressing concerns about horses and cows. So many times I have had to find a diversion as I am terrified of cows and horses. I have often waited for other walkers and asked them if i can walk with them. Love your videos
A lot of it is deliberate ploy to frighten you, Mary. Get thee forward, and ramble, because WE'VE a duty to keep these ROW open. These fascist landowner types that are "STACKED" in the Lords will be the death of the walking boot !!
On a recent walk, we took a footpath behind Perranporth rugby club through a field . To our suprise the field was full of bullocks. We did get through but was very worried.
How dare that farmer keep livestock in his fields when hoards of ignorant people want to trample all over his land.!!!
i enjoyed watching all these encounters with the beasties. I hate seeing that public footpaths are getting more and more difficult to enjoy. A a child, before emigrating to America, our family walked them quite a bit.
I have OS Maps on my phone, it’s very useful as you can track exactly where you are in relation to the (hopefully up to date) footpath. Some fields the path isn’t visible and it isn’t clear where the stile is (especially as it’s overgrown) and been able to follow what (should be) the exact path does help.
Really great video! One tip with horses ~ always carry a carrot or two for a cross-country walk...nearly always placates them. I once was on a walk through a Leicestershire field and lost the footpath. What I thought was a herd of cows turned out to be bulls (I think they picked up the scent of a cow-pat on my shoe from a previous field). As I quickened my pace so did they, and they started scraping their front hooves into the ground and charged. It was like the Wild West ~ I could hear & feel the impact of their hooves hitting the ground behind me. I must have had an angel watching over as there was suddenly a small tree not far from the field edge and I managed to clamber up before they got me. They snorted & scraped their hooves at the bottom of tree-trunk, and there I was up a tree, in the middle of nowhere in drizzling rain for 1/2 an hour until they dispersed!
I have never seen a field of Bulls. They are usually solitary animals. More likely Bullocks.
Not that I had the time or the inclination to inspect them :) but there were definitely no apparent udders so I'm guessing yes, they were bullocks...and quite big frisky ones!@@gordonsimpson3235
Gorgeous cows at 20:44. They look so curious.
I’m in Devon, and live next door to a farm. The farmer was killed by being trampled by his own cows, and his wife now lives there alone. She no longer farms and the land is rented out to local farmers. So, any fear of cows, horses etc. is not irrational at all, and as such, I refuse to enter a field with cows in. In one of our local fields the farmer has erected a fence round the edge of the field so we can walk safely past the cows. When we walked near Porth Saxon luckily we didn’t see any cows in the field as we walked back to the car by the church, although it was full of stinking cow pats (the field, not the car!)
I am lucky, most of my youth was spent on a farm next door to me, so I have no fear of Livestock. Most breeds of Bulls are pretty soft these days...unlike in my youth. But they do say you should always remain aware of them, and preferably not turn your back on them. Dogs will excite cows if they have young. Basically they are curious animals and far more nervous of you than you are of them. There are a bunch of Heifers on one of my local walks...one of them loves to be stroked....the others sniff you but wont let you touch. Must be a problem for you two though, given that Cornwall has a high percentage of land given to livestock!!
Thank you for another video and for raising this issue. The rights of way must be protected. Especially for those who are respectful and responsible such as yourselves.
There are no mechanisms in place to differentiate between respectful/responsible users and those who are not. So the burden falls upon the land owner for the benefit of the responsible and the irresponsible.
My late walking buddy used to get between me and cows because I was scared of them.
Porthallack near Porth Saxon Helford River we’ve nearly done all your home made walks and many of our own plus all the Cornish coast in circular loops across farm land and have some problems with cows with young calves and adders. It helps that I am a farmer myself even I found some awkward farmers they need to get out more cheers 😉👍
Another great vid guys, There are good and bad footpaths some maintained but many are not and yes two sides to the story , unmaintained paths in the summer months can be a hazard to the walker who wears shorts, beware of ticks on your legs and dogs, Lyme disease can be very nasty,,,,,,,Brian&Jane.
We have a local farmer who as a lot of paths over his land, he spends a day walking with a knapsack sprayer and marks the paths even killing a path in his crops.
Thank you for the video guys. We are so with you on this. Having had several incidents ourselves, including Debbie being stampeded by cows the other year. We use OS maps to ensure we follow legal routes and will always respect any land we walk. Equally we are always grateful to owners and farmers who place sensible signage and clearly define a safe route through their land using electric fences or keeping hedged in routes clear of overgrown vegetation.
On a lighter note it reminds me of Farmer Palmer, in the VIZ comic saying " Get orf my laaaand " other less anarchic comics are available. May your landing be full of fluffy safeness and tea. XpeaceX
Fluffy safeness and tea...oh yes!, always please 🙂
Brave effort, Sarah. Public walking trails should be a feature of every country.
Great video as usual👍😊That horse didn't want to move,l think Andrew did the right thing & went the long way 😂bless the cows just being nosy. You both survived to tell the tell well done 👏😊
Padstow to little Petherick so brings back memories that path with the bullocks been so many times over the last 2 decades and my wife doesn't like cows etc. Used to be bit wet on one section but more bridges and ealjways were added. The other side of the creek also has a footpath but at high tide under water low tide muddy. Love kayaking the creek from Padstow many times each year. Inquisitive those cows..😅 Have fun.. Kev the Brinklow kayaker
I love your walks 😊 Ive had horses and they were kept in a field that had a footpath through the middle but we put up electric fencing to make it safe for both horses and walkers. I personally wont walk through fields with horses as they can be inquisitive and if youre caught in the middle its extremely dangerous. Love cows but have been chased by them and most definitely avoid fields with them in 😂its quite scary.
Doesn't the landowner have a legal obligation to keep footpaths over his/her land clear? Around where I live in Cornwall, the Council encourages blocked or impassable footpaths to be reported, and they will then contact the landowner and request the blockage be cleared, otherwise the Council will clear it and charge the landowner for the costs. The Ramblers association will also report blocked footpaths if they are made aware of them, and sometimes organise walking trips to clear blocked paths. My partner and I were once challenged by a landowner for being off the footpath crossing his land, but we pointed out that that actual footpath was impassable and it was his responsibility to ensure it was usable if he didn't want people taking alternate routes. He didn't like it, but he didn't argue, and the next time we went that way he'd cleared the path.
What an adventure my friends! Thank you for staying safe! Hugs Sarah! You two are sweet! The passage is charming but navigating thru the livestock I can see the inconvenience hopefully it can all get sorted out…🌷ana🌷
Superb and important episode - thank you for covering it. We’ve been caught out with curious cows on the SW Coastal Path coming out of Pentewan on the stretch towards Mevagissey - there’s a small section that feels rather scary & sadly ‘unwelcoming’. I think it’s so important to respect the country but some farmers have no respect for ramblers.
Where we live there,s a river and they use to put two horses in a small field that was between the main river and a small bridge one of the horses loved to park its bum on the beginning of it so we had to squeeze past it. It never moved but that was its enjoyment in life
A very interesting issue Sarah & Andrew, but a very frustrating one, I remember when we went walking in the Malvern Hills years ago, most fields had horses 🐎 in them, ever inquisitive like cows they used to come over to the gates out of interest I suppose or in the hope of a snack or two, but it’s never wise to feed them so they usually walked away disappointed…..we always found the public footpaths were maintained beautifully so never encountered the problems you are having these days, I guess the local councils don’t have the funds to maintain them anymore:) although stressful for you both you managed to make another delightful video as always, thank you 🙏 and best wishes from a storm drenched Derby’s 🤗
You should try the New Forest in the Autumn when large and territorially-minded pigs are turned out to eat the acorns (poisonous for the ponies). Pigs can turn very nasty, and have as many different characters as human beings .... there are nice ones that want a back scratch and there are downright evil-minded bastards, when in groups, they have more confidence and therefore more likely to be bloody minded. Many people are intimidated into staying away from the forest when the pigs are out. Under ancient law peculiar to the forest, the owners have a perfect right to turn the pigs out, but for walkers, it is a problem. I have never had a problem with cattle, firm words if needed have always done the trick for me and cows love a cuddle. Horses however , as you know, are notoriously skittish and can be very dangerous especially as human beings love to put iron shoes on them. Andrew did well to stay away from the back of the horse ... very unpredictable if they are surprised. The hooves of unshoed horses are far more sensitive to pressure and the horses less likely to tread on the feet of people. I suspect that the stile in question attracts salt from the salt laden air and that is why the horse chews the stile, maybe, they all chew it from time to time. Car door mirrors are a favourite for the ponies and cattle in the New Forest in the Winter, the salt being sprayed off of the road. The ponies and cattle don't chew but they enjoy a good lick. I've watched a number of your videos in the last couple of months ... always enjoyable. I'm in deepest Slovakia for the Winter .... longer daylight hours ... 25 minutes longer on 21st December .... and electricity at 10 pence per kWh. There are bears and wolves in the forests and fields here as well as wild boar. Never seen any when walking, only the foot prints, the bears and wolves actively avoid human contact but we see serious damage done in fields when families of boar have had a good night's rooting around. Fields here are rarely enclosed giving the boar full range and emerging from the forests, do as they like in the early hours.
I'm finding more and more issues with this on my walks, various animals blocking our routes. Also the footpaths being overgrown with nettles, definitely need to take a look and find a solution that benefits all parties
Wow, interesting subject. I am afraid of cows and bulls and feel that the farmers should respect the Public’s right of way and the path should have a fence to keep the cattle off the path. Thank you for a great video.
I walked through cow fields a few times and they were friendly. Once I got cow par on my shoes but it gid come off walking through the grass on a different field.
A very sad situation for both sides. I am currently reading a paperback by Emma Dakin called Crime in Cornwall. Thanks to you I can picture all the places she mentions. Penzance, St Mary's Mount, Mousehole, Fowey, Port Isaac, and smuggler's caves. Thank you.
I have walked thousands of miles across the highest land in Briton but the places i struggled with most is the lower land , A lot of paths are overgrown even those marked on OS maps are often impassable .The trouble is the hedgerows grow in spring all the nettles & bracken shoots up , but quite a lot of these routes are not walked often enough to keep them defined on the ground ,When visiting Cornwall i have struggled so much in places i have just given up & gone back to the road which as you know the lanes beyond penzance are narrow & there is no where to go when a car comes , As for cows because i used to walk with my collie i got into the habit of taking a stick with me, I find cows seem to shy away if they see you have a stick ,A trecking pole is good to carry when they see you are armed in such a way they quite often keep there distance .!!!
You've walked 1000s of miles thru 'Briton'? You've likely lived in 'Britain' all your life and never learnt to spell it? A 'Briton' is a native of Britain.
@@philfletcher3434 Thank you for that , !!!
You're welcome.@@andrewcopley9894
If you are going to pick people up on their spelling I think you will find that ‘thru’ is spelt through! Andrew
Fair enough, I just thought this an important point to make as Britain is under attack from so many angles today and I'm staunchly white British.@@CornishWalkingTrails
Really enjoy your vlogs Sarah and Andrew. We live in a rural area and have lovely walks on our doorstep, however for over half the year we struggle to find fields we can walk comfortably through due to cows! Our dog is always on a lead but know that cows are inquisitive and can run towards you which is frightening. Walkers have been killed by cattle so we end up walking on roads to avoid them. Equally horses on the loose can be intimidating. A simple electric fence would keep walkers and cows separate and prevent the horrendous mud that accumulates around gates. Maybe you could also do a vlog about the way we have to exit certain fields ie stiles where you have to be an olympiad to get over them.
Wellie boots and mints (for the horse).
"Up the Rebels! Carry on."
Hi Sarah and Andrew, love all your vlogs. When on holiday in Scotland a farmer told me that cows are not over keen on plastic carrier bags when they opened and rattled to make a noise? I added that to my knowledge (as I wouldn’t want to scare them unnecessarily) not thinking I would ever need it. I can’t say it would work on all cows, but it certainly worked when we needed it in a tricky situation. Next time you go for walk take a folded carrier bag in you pocket , it may help 😊 x
3. Barbed Wire A barbed wire fence or exposed barbed wire erected across a public right of way without an adequate means of crossing is an offence. It is an obstruction to the public right of way, and also a nuisance and a danger to members of the public. It should be removed. If a barbed wire fence is required for stock control or agricultural purposes, the Council can help by providing a suitable crossing and legally authorising a new structure across the public right of way. Without this an offence is being committed. Highways Act 1980 Sections 137 & 149 Barbed wire adjacent to a path is in most cases perfectly legitimate however it can be considered to be a ‘public nuisance’ if likely to injure people or animals lawfully using the Right of Way. If this is the case, the landowner should remove the barbed wire. Failure to do so could result in action in the Magistrates Court. Highways Act 1980 Section 164 4. Bulls & Dangerous Animals It is an offence to allow a bull over 10 months old and on its own and/or any bull of a recognised dairy breed (even if accompanied by cows/heifers) to be at large on land crossed by a public right of way. The recognised dairy breeds are Ayrshire, British Friesian, British Holstein, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey, Jersey and Kerry. Bulls less than 10 months old with cows or heifers are exceptions to this rule. Similarly, if there is any question about a bull’s temperament or any other animal’s temperament which is known to the keeper of that animal, it should not be allowed in a field where a public right of way passes. If injury occurs to a member of the public using the route then an offence may have been committed and the occupier could be liable. Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Section 59 Animals Act 1971 Section 2 The HSE provides further guidance on cattle and public access in England and Wales at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais17ew.pdf
My 3 words is great on both phones. Yep had loads of similiar. Bull, electric fences etc. 😮
Morning Pards
Hi both, great video, we did the rocky valley walk you did a while ago near Boscastle, it is wonderful, but there is usually a herd of cows which wander the complete clifftop walk, how they do not fall off the edge I don't know, maybe they do !!! but they are very intimidating and often start to run for no apparent reason, to be honest we have seen people cut short their walk to avoid them,. A lot of noise is made about dog owners not having their dogs on leads, fair enough but what about cows on public rights of way ? they are very frightening to some people, and we are expected to walk in amongst them !!!!!! especially when you hear news stories about people who have been trampled, well done for highlighting this.
Those horses really brought the Cornish out in you, with words like " not appy " " right teasy mare wan it " and others that were bleeped out. I would not want to cross you. Loved the film and loved the ending on the beach below Mownan Smith on the Helford. The times we have walked down from the church and back up the lane.
This is a really relevant video and it adresses some serious matters. We have so far walked about half of the SWCP, and also St. Michael's Mount and we have had our fair share of cow- and horse encounters. We are not used to farm animals so it has been a challenge. I remember two horses, just like the two you met, along the St. Michael's Way. We stood at the farm gate with the farmer and a black horse was running towards her. Luckily I stood quite close to a hedge, for the horse suddenly - before stopping at the farmer - turned and headbutted me on my shoulder so I was thrown into the hedge. No injuries, and I didn't fall, but it was quite scary. And we were really concerned on the long walk across the field to reach the stile because the other (brown) horse was running around and approaching us. Luckily it turned away from us. The farmer assured us that there was no danger, but these animals are BIG and you never know what's on their mind. We have also been followed by cows / bullocks several times and it has been scary sometimes but there has been no harm done to us. We have also a few times decided to take a detour around a herd of cows / bullocks if we have been unsure of their attitude. And we also had to drop walking around Dennis Head (Helford) because a bull was eyeballing us and protecting his harem so we took a shortcut across the start of the headland. But it is mostly quite OK to pass cows. They have also obstructed stiles and gates, but they normally move away if we approach them with a firm but friendly approach. And we have definitely walked through some overgrown paths with brambles, stinging nettles, gorse, fern etc. We get a bit concerned about ticks but have luckily so far not been bitten. I do agree that the barbed wires make it difficult to find a safe escape. In Norway, barbed wires have been banned since 2010, due to animal welfare. That also of course benefits human welfare as well 😊 We have downloaded OS maps on the phone so we don't depend on mobile phone coverage. Thank you for this very relevant video.
Unhelpful farmers who don't want walkers on their land put me off country walking some years ago. I stuck to hill walking in National Parks, but I love your videos they are awesome!
We encountered this trying to walk from Trencrom hill down to the great bowl rock. There were bullocks in the field, only one exit. As i type you are just in that same field!!! We gave up because there was only the one exit. I think it is quite deliberate. But on the other hand some folk are so ignorant leaving gates open, leaving litter and letting dogs chase sheep. This isnt fair to farmers. I dont mind the mud - that is to be expected!!
Pam & I were youth group leaders for years, where rambling was high on the agenda off activities.I Even with pre-ramble prep, incidents would still occur. Animals, ploughed or sewn fields making passage impossible. Even confronted by a land owner with shot gun on one occasion.
Great vid, guys. Why do I find myself so invested in your stone balancing~??? O.O
When walking in the country treat all livestock with respect If you pet them they will follow just ignore them they will be inquisitive but don’t show your afraid It’s their home after all X
Lovely artwork, Sarah! This is an troubling situation, not easily solved. Bringing it to wider public notice is good. Horses can be dangerous, so when the foot stamping started, you were smart to go another way. Here in the U.S., much of the land best for hiking/walks is in National, State, or local Municipal parkland, or public streets, though I'm sure there are some rural areas with similar issues. What we see here is wildlife coming into suburban neighborhoods in search of water and easy food sources. I've seen coyotes on the street, and on my back yard camera feed. They will jump fences, and even go through dog doors into houses in search of small dogs and cats. There are a number of walking trails near the mountains east of Los Angeles where runners and hikers have been followed, and sometimes attacked by mountain lions! :0
Porthsaxon We’ve have horses on the farm for decades please do not feed them sugar 🥹or anything else Say if twenty people walking there feed sugar and apples you can see the problem Horse owners spend a lot of money on feed and supplements. Chestnut horses are known for being stubborn and mischievous like the one you encountered. I know you are wary a bit more forceful clap your hands maybe. A dummy electric fence around the style would help perhaps. I do like seeing people and young families out walking the countryside. I agree with you about the parking charges 😡 recommend a walk around Highcliffe North Cornwall. The views are amazing 3 1/2 miles free parking and a visit to Boscastle farm shop.👌👍
Love this episode - one of your best yet !
I dont think we can expect farmers to provide fenced access during the times they use their field for grazing. They may need regular access across the path which would make fencing impractical. Fields are sometimes muddy. Sometimes farmers graze their animals in their fields. Sometimes we need to retrace our steps and go round a different way? Or look online for alternatives. All this can reasonably be expected on a walk across fields. I'm not sure if landowners get paid for the upkeep of paths. Whether a payment is made in return for access and maintenance is quite a consideration in this debate and I don't know if they are paid to maintain access. Access that is barred by undergrown or barbed wire is unacceptable. When I approached Cornwall Council about a blocked access and fallen trees, they said they will only come out to assist if its a safety issue.
There is no payment for the existance of a public footpath over private land nor for their upkeep. I concur with your thinking and approach.
Once on the SW Coast Path my way was blocked by a huge Beast. I was trying to avoid the herd but got trapped, down-slope between impenetrable brambles and a dry stone wall. The Huge Beast glowered at me down muddy slope. I had to scramble up the wall, get over a wobbly fence of rusted barbed wire (on which I slipped and nearly did myself a serious injury). I then had to spend about an hour in some dripping bracken and brambles, teetering above a 200 foot cliff in the morning Drizzle! When I eventually made a break for it up the slope, the whole herd had gathered round the style to prevent me getting out of the field! I had to take a 'nonchalant stroll', which turn into a brisk trot with my heavy back-pack, pursued by a pack of Huge Beasts, ending in an emergency chuck and dive over the barbed-wire! I still have the photograph of a line of Malevolent Beasts lined up along the barbed wire, eyeing me with intent...
There are plenty of spaces for walking without making life difficult for anyone. When it comes to animals, they don't have the same priorities as humans. The field is their domain and humans need to respect the animals.
England needs to embrace generic rights of access to footpaths and some land by default. Like you we have encountered deliberately blocked public footpaths in West Cornwall. And is very frustrating - we should report this more visibly. The tactic of ‘beware the bull’ is common too as a scarier tactic and sometimes it is a true advisory notice. Living with animals I know its natural for many cows to follow humans and run towards them halting abruptly - there is no simple solution here except wider awareness. Thanks for your video.
"England needs to embrace generic rights of access to footpaths and some land by default" I was under the impression that is exactly what we had - a public footpath network and national parks. One suspects what you mean is universal access to other peoples' private land where currently there is no such right. What better way to embrace that which you preach than to practice - please publish your address and size of front/rear gardens. One is very good company and enjoys home made cakes with a pot of Twinings Original. 😄
I was at portheras cove coming back the small path when 20 cows where coming towards me and my two dogs I just stood still and let them go buy my dogs were very good one of the cows came right up to My face and licked my face was crazy they are very curious animals and carried on down the path I just stood still very strange some idiot must have opened the gate 😂
I've always found that you need to be confident around livestock, just as you would be around dogs. Animals can sense fear I'm sure, they know they have the upper hand with someone who's nervous and will take full advantage of that. I've been walking the fields and paths of Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Wiltshire for over 50 years and never suffered a problem, just walk purposely through them and if approached or find one that is stubborn to move, I just speak loudly and firmly "Move!" and if need be just walk towards the animal, it always backs down. Same with dogs, I was an electrician for over 45 years before retiring and never suffered a dog bite. Just be confident. Or maybe I've just been very lucky.
Andrew should have given the horse a pasty or one of his saffron buns out of his backpack ( no it's not going to happen ) 😮
righr to ramble us fine, and yes Horses and/or Cows can be intimidating for sure.
if the ramblers would have joined with the trf & 4x4 groups we could have fought this problem better but as the rambliers wanted them banned on all lanes even boats then they can't complain when not many give a toss any more, blocking lanes is not right but so is discriminating against users who might have helped out.
My daughter is married to a farmer. And yet despite growing up with them, my grandson is absolutely petrified of the cows on the farm. Too big, too unpredictable he says.
Hi Sarah and Andrew, someone mentioned a sugar lump or an apple, to give the horse. That would be a good idea for next time maybe. Also, After seeing the sign saying "Public Footpath" which was obviously overgrown, I think along with the carrot, apple, sugar lump etc I think I would be tempted to take a pair of cutters with me. I appreciate some places are heavily overgrown and may be impossible but I think it could be helpful in certain situations. I don't know how that would sit with the law but if it says "Public Footpath" then surely you have some right. Loved the video, thank you. 💕
How about a battery powered hedge trimmer. If everyone did a few yards when out .....
The public have a right to walk along the path on foot, no more. If a public footpath is well overgrown it is most likely due to not being used either because it does not lead to anything of interest or because it has been blocked at the other end or is unsafe. Always remember that you are out to enjoy nature, not to conquer it!
Rewilding in our area of the country… One being European Bison! Quote: “ The team who are running this initiative are working with MPs and other government bodies like Defra to advocate for CHANGE in legislation and make the Dangerous Wild Animal Act fit for purpose and not a barrier to wilding initiatives” Unquote.
A field I use in SE Cornwall which is a public footpath has been chained up this Summer with cows in. I would not venture in near cows but it is an increasing problem. However the multitude of extra tourists which have been encouraged is part of the problem so farmer's get fed up as some don't respect the land. A double edge sword. Of course 'we' are being controlled aren't we. Division is more popular these days.
We walk a lot in Cornwall and have come across all of these on many occasions, got chased by cows a couple of weeks ago and had to abandon my circular walk. And don’t talk about overgrown paths and ones that disappear 🤨🤨🤨
Where are the best pasties to buy
I think it is disgusting how RoW are being closed off. Another channel showed RoW that are open but inaccessible due to being totally enclosed by private land. I watch a lot of canal videos and have seen cows in a field watch a boat pass then run ahead and stop to watch it go by again. They did this several times until reaching the end. This was a great video as always. 👍👍✔✔😁😁
There is a need to differentiate between Private RoW and Public RoW. If a RoW is inaccessible to the public due to being enclosed by private land which does not have a connecting public RoW, it is unlikely to be a public RoW. The definitive answer would come from consulting the Definitive Map of Public Footpaths held by your local authority.
@@theolddog5129 I stand corrected. Alright Public RoW (I assume)
@@theolddog5129 The video I saw was By "Paul and Rebeca Whitewick" Who are very much into this and I think they said Public Right of Way.
@@thelastpilot4582 Thank you for that. I just watched their two videos on the subject and it took three viewings to unravel their concerns. The main point they highlighted was that in many instances the definitive maps showed public footpaths or bridleways just ending at a point and going no further. This is hardly surprising given the origins of public footpaths - they were paths used to reach destinations for worship, trade etc. Circular or POI to POI footpaths is a modern concept usually for the leisure activities of non-rural people. They also kept using the term pathway - for the reasons I highlighted earlier this is not helpful. Thirdly, complaining about some of the public footpaths not being made up actually highlights why they are special - rural and not being constantly trampled by visitors. Where the paths were on the definitive maps but were blocked - fair enough - these should be reported.
suggestions of feeding a horse needs some important notice ; always place item in the palm of your flat open hand , not in your fingers. But I think in your case it is better to stay away.
What you need is some knowledge of what the animals in the field are before you go through them. E.G. Milking cows are OK unless they've got calves ( which may be hidden in nettle patches etc). If in doubt keep an eye on them and if one starts blorting and showing signs of moving towards you - back off do not get between the cow and calf it may well charge you. Young beasts that crowd you can be controlled with a stick do not walk through them without carrying a stick. Treat them steadily and firmly do not run if you don't have a good start, it's best to face them down while waving a stick. Walking across a field is like walking down a lane just show some common sense and you'll be fine, act stupid and you may well pay for it.
Horses and cows are curious animals so will come to investigate you. Its walker who should be aware of potential threats of animals because the farmer has no choice but to maintain and keep styles free for walkers to use as part of the right of way. Its not like there was a herd of horses in the field to stop you. Farmers have a right to use the field too, especially as the have rented the field or own it with that right of access across it which you use.
Thanks for another great video. So a Cornish walk nowadays requires you to carry carrots, salt lick and a strimmer. Noted.x
O bloody he'll 😂 always carry a carrot an apple and some sugar lumps for bribery I think he was a spoiled horse that gets alot of treats
You should not be feeding horses that do not belong to you. Plus it will only encourage the horse to pester you for more food….
This is a bored horse becoming a nuisance due to.lack of attention and a matter of time you will see it weeving hence chewing the style one carrot won't harm a horse to manouver ot out of the way it's hardly a feast of unsuitable diet
Ooh you could see that was horse was not a happy chap by his body language. It might be a right good lad for it's owners, but a nasty git to strangers. You often find that with horses! But whenever i have to go through a horse field i grab a couple of branches just incase, i've had to use them a few times and smack the horse. Last time, there was 2 of them and they were trying to pin me against the hedgerow and when i went to push one away instead of using the branch, it started jumping about and kicking. He got a smack! but they still followed on my heels right to the gate and were trying to shove out the gate. I really don't like horses!
Cows raise your arms and raise your voice level not shouting but come now Bessie move along have a large walking stick to helps
I love cows but don’t like being near them especially black cows.😂
Should have used an Apple.
Nothing new this has been happening for years ,it should not happen ,land owners should respect ALL public right of way ,the answer who now's, the more bringing to the public the better,GREAT video
I am afraid due to a massive increase in irresponsible people coming into rural areas in the last few years, farmers are having to put up with people who know zero about the country code. Dogs attacking farm animals, and litter. Farmland is the farmer's factory. That horse was upset because you did not give it a sugar lump or an apple. It would have gone away then.
So, horses are entitled to run protection rackets are they ? It is almost certain that, in addition to having a good laugh, the horse was chewing the wood for the salt which collects on open surfaces close to the sea and close to salted roads. Normally, horses lick such surfaces but if the wood is slightly rotten, it leads to chewing. I challenge you to put a toffee in your mouth and resist the urge to chew.
The horse was approached, and touched, when that happens they expect food.
I'm scared of horses too. Whoever's responsible for the path should put a fence along it. For cows, a tip I've heard is just don't engage with them at all , keep quiet and they shouldn't show much interest in you. Having said that I have been cornered by them , not nice. Yes landowners need to take more responsibility
I’m afraid that you firstly need to know that there is no threat to public rights of way and the Right to Roam is something completely different. Please also respect that the footpaths that you use, are often on working farms and you have to accept that farmers have a right to earn a living and keep livestock. The public always has a choice not to enter a field if they feel livestock are a threat. If you were used to horses, that friendly horse would not of been a problem. It was only after a treat from you. Do you expect land owners to fence off all the footpaths for you? You have to realise that farmers have loads or problems with people walking where they shouldn’t, leaving litter, dog attacks on livestock, property being damaged, dogs upsetting wildlife, gates being left open, people parking in gateways, wild camping and also fires occurring. Remember you always have a choice as you are just on a leisure activity. You seemed unsure of where the path was and we’re clambering over wire and gates. Not good. If there are blocked rights of way you should complain to the Countryside Assess person at the Council. Do you expect the farmer to go along these paths with a strimmer to cut vegetation back through the summer. It is not a public park in a city and as for you moaning about mud. Give me strength! Respect the Countryside and follow the Countryside Code.
👍👍See my post about 4 hours after yours - we make almost exactly the same points.
Your walking in the country of your own choice , perhaps if you don’t like animals you should stick to the roads Not bring unnecessary malice towards animals that didn’t ask for you to come into there back yard
I'll admit that I did not watch all of this video so my comments may be inappropriate. People today have seemed to have lost all respect and knowledge of animals. You should learn how to deal with animals . It's easy. Cows are not dangerous unless you have a dog. Likewise horses. If livestock did not eat the grass and resulting scrub then you would not be able to walk the paths. I applaud your exposure of the car parking and REAL footpath obstructions but cattle or horses are not dangerous. What is apparent is your lack of knowledge of how to relate to animals.
Where do you expect horses, cows and sheep to live? Some people are born ignorant; other people achieve ignorance. I couldn't believe some of these comments . Stay at-home.