However, 4m should be regarded as standard whenever possible. To avoid injury, posts should be rounded off, and there should be no barbed wire for at least 2m on either side of the gate. Overgrowth Overgrowth at the sides of a bridleway, byway or road should be cleared to a height to allow a rider to pass. Further information is available in the BHS leaflet Horses Crossing. While the Society seeks the desirable height for underpasses, in exceptional circumstances a lower height may be tolerated.
Solid parapets are preferred and have been successfully used in a number of cases.
If the river is wider than 8m or the crossing is of byway status the width should be at least 4m with a kickboard of at least 250mm. However, consultation with the local BHS representative is advised, as some minor bridges may need to be built to different standards. Where a rider is required to negotiate gates near a bridge an enclosure of at least 2.9m square is required. Bridge surfacing The deck of the bridge must be stable and made of a substantial, non-echoing material with no gaps in the decking through which the river below can be seen. The surface must be non-slip.