MID COTSWOLD TRACKS & TRAILS GROUP

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MCTTG aims to:

IMPROVE and EXPAND THE TRACKS AND TRAILS NETWORK of Stroud, Cirencester and the surrounding areas,   TO ENABLE HORSES TO BE RIDDEN OFF ROAD IN SAFETY

  By working with local authorities, landowners and other user groups, (such as walkers, cyclists, disabled, trail riders and carriage drivers), we aim to create new links between tracks, develop additional multi-use routes and circuits, and to assist in maintaining and improving our tracks and trails.

Be part of a group who enjoy the tracks and trails network, help us preserve and improve them, and have fun joining in our activities.

Our tracks and trails network is as much a part of our historical heritage as our castles and great houses - perhaps more so because they have been bequeathed to us by common usage.  It is important that we fight for them and do our best to protect them for the next generation. 

In the Cotswolds, our tracks and trails define us as much as the Cheese Rolling or the Woolsack Races, but are arguably an even more precious inheritance because they are a health, sport and leisure amenity for all ages, for all abilities and for all seasons.

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OUR TRACKS AND TRAILS - GOOD FOR BODY AND MIND

Several of our members are instructors or assistants with local Riding for the Disabled groups, but we also want to highlight that riding can be invaluable to those with restricted mobility.

MCTTG member Diana, aged 76, has had both hips replaced.  She is an active helper with  Riding for the Disabled and still enjoys riding herself. 

Di says, " I am very lucky with my hip replacements in that they don't particularly impede me, and I think that riding is particularly good for people with back problems, as the gait of the horse rocks the rider's pelvis gently back and forth, and I have found it to free mine in the past. 

There are, of course, the obvious advantages of being out in the fresh air, and seeing the countryside without having to keep one's eyes glued to the road, and from a higher vantage point than usual!  I also think that riding is a very good way for older people to keep fit. It is active exercise without necessarily being strenuous. " 

For MCTTG member Ian, riding is also an important part of maintaining an outdoor life.........

"Hello, my name is Ian Graham, I am 39 yrs old and I suffer from Emphysema. This is a condition that affects the lungs and their function. Physical exercise is not something I plan to do each day as a short walk finds me breathless and tired.   

To this point in my life I have worked, lived and breathed horses. 

I competed in BHS eventing, I trained with Christopher and Jane Bartle in Yorkshire, I worked for Ian Stark, I worked for showjumpers Alex Rident and David Mcpherson. I worked in racing yards, breaking yards and have worked in yards in France and Germany as well as all over Britain. I had to retire from that level of work as I could no longer physically do the work.

As you can imagine that was a difficult decision.

Now, thankfully I have found, “Granny”, a young at heart 15 yr old, she is brilliant. She stands to let me get on and lets me get my breath back. Then we’re off. I don’t have to kick, kick, kick, and the further the ride is the better. She loves exploring. It is so liberating to be able to get on and go much farther than I would be able to walk on foot. Bridleways are such a godsend as the stables are situated between the motorway and a busy A-road. I wouldn’t complain however if more bridleways were opened giving Granny and I more possibility of expeditions."  

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Martin Harwood MP

“The equine sector makes a hugely important contribution to the economy not only of rural communities but to the country as a whole, making a gross output of £3.4 billion per annum. Riding is also important in terms of its contribution to the fabric of rural communities and as a source of leisure. It is estimated that more than 2.4 million people ride, with 5 million having an active interest in the industry. Therefore I feel that it is important that the government take into account the wishes of equestrians when deciding access rights.”


EDM 2332 BRIDLEWAYS : Support from David Drew MP

“That this House recognises the importance of bridleways for horseriders to exercise in safety and enjoy the countryside; notes that many bridleways are in poor condition or are abused by people using motorised vehicles; and calls on the Government actively to promote the use of bridleways, to ensure that those who use bridleways inappropriately are fined, to look to extend the number of bridleways across the country and to ensure that existing bridleways are kept open and are well maintained for horseriders.”

“I support this campaign, horse riding in the Stroud area is an extremely popular and healthy pastime for people of all ages, I am keen to support the care and maintenance of bridleways in any way that I can”.