Report - Section 5.3

5.3   Best practice

Best practice includes:

• Providing off-road access to the countryside to minimise horse traffic on roads;
• Where horse riders need to use roads, traffic calming measures could be introduced that would be of benefit other road users;
• Low stocking rates and good pasture management will ensure that pasture is retained and its environmental quality is raised. Rotation with sheep/cattle benefits all;
• Alternatives provided for winter exercise and addressing surface needs will avoid riding routes being used throughout the year;
• Rotation of routes on private land and forestry will prevent over-use;
• Forests can be managed to create wide grass rides, providing additional species rich habitats;
• Land margins in Set Aside encourage the management of new habitat;
• A code of conduct helps ensure that horse riders do not leave litter, and that their quiet use does not disturb wildlife;
• Water and flood management, using proper ditching into existing water courses;
• Managing equine waste products beneficially for the environment; and
• Water and energy management can be established in sustainable ways.