Horse riding in plantations

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture allows hacking in many of its plantations. The plantations can offer idyllic rides in a relatively safe environment. Care must be taken however in the vicinity of organised motor events or timber harvesting operations. Horses should only walk or trot as a courtesy to other visitors to the plantations and for safety reasons. 

The Horse Riding Code

1. Keep to the tracks and try to avoid ground which is soft or muddy.
2. Take an alternative route to avoid soft slopes. Riding up and down cause's erosion.
3. Please follow the Countryside Code at all times and secure gates behind you. 
4. Please avoid widening existing tracks, or creating new ones.
5. Please keep well away from any work taking place in the forest.
6. Remember other vehicles use the forest roads as well as you.
7. Please vary your route in the forest to spread the wear and tear.
8. Please slow down and call out a warning when approaching other forest users. Be courteous and friendly.
9. Remember other people use the forests as well as you.
10. Danger! Do not pass a vehicle loading timber until you have been advised to do so. 
11. Please ride with care and come back again.

Plantations can you ride in

The plantations available for horse riding are listed below. Wherever possible, the Department will allow open access for horse riding at no charge. This is presently possible in the areas which are marked with an asterisk (*) below, in which horse stiles are installed at the main entrances. A padlock key is required to access the other plantations listed and these can be obtained from the Forestry, Amenity and Lands Division for a one-off fee. For further information please telephone the Forestry Division on +44 1624 801263.