A new British Horse Society (BHS) mapping tool that helps riders find and share information on suitable routes is aimed at improving access, and ensuring equestrians are “not the forgotten vulnerable road user”.
The DobbinData tool will gather data on equestrians’ use of routes, such as tarmacked roads that are not slippery, railway crossings and road bridges, commons, forestry and shared-use trails, such as former railways.
The information gathered will be important for the BHS to use when it is lobbying for change, or putting forward proposals for new plans, to help ensure “equestrian inclusion and user-friendly features”.
BHS director of access Mark Weston told H&H that features on public rights of way, roads and other routes do not always cater for equestrians.
“We have many examples of this across the country relating to railway crossings, routes alongside railways, motorway bridges, shared use trails and more,” he said.
“We constantly work to correct this because the needs of equestrians are often forgotten about when such schemes are being implemented. It is often not understood that little, if anything, may be needed so that equestrians can be included, but to do this we need data to help provide the necessary evidence.”
The information provided to the tool will give the BHS many more examples of where access has been provided.
“We encourage everyone to input the requested information; the more information we have the more we can support equestrians so that we are not the forgotten vulnerable road user,” Mr Weston said.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
