THIS month, BHS Scotland was gobsmacked after sitting through a session at the National Access Forum discussing whether it was OK for ad-hoc groups of mountain bikers (Enduro) to build jumps and obstacles on people’s land without permission and then invite all your friends to come and use them by advertising ‘an event’ on social media.

Well you can imagine how affronted your BHS representative was by the suggestion that these ‘wild trails’ could somehow be acceptable – and I am a cyclist.

Yes, it is brilliant that young brave cyclists (you have to be brave to be a mountain biker and you have to be brazen to just erect an obstacle or jump on someone else’s land!) are out and about enjoying the outdoors instead of lounging on a sofa, but where do I begin ...

This is a risk sport – the liability for one! Have you any idea the responsibility we have in the horse world when we build a cross country jump and encourage other people to jump it?

Is it pinned down, does it have a false ground line or unusual profile, is it made of suitable material, is it positioned properly on good ground, which level of rider is it for? How did you decide it was suitable for that level of rider, is it properly constructed, is the rider wearing the correct PPE?

It goes on and on, that is why we have governing bodies of sport, plus insurance and risk assessments.

I am as opposed to red tape and silly health and safety as anyone, but if we want our sport to thrive, we have to minimise risk and if someone get injured on someone else’s property that is not very clever for anyone – least of all the invalid.

And also, how come it is written in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for horse riders that you must ask permission if you wish to carry out repetitive schooling on other people’s land or wish to use jumps?

Imagine if we just built jumps anywhere and then invited our friends to come and jump them too?

All over Scotland we try to work constructively with cyclists to stop them tarring tracks and urging them to leave some routes top dressed in fine material.

The Scottish paths and tracks network is designed to be multi-use and suit all access takers.

A second surge of rage could be brought on (yes you need to control your blood pressure) by the national walking and cycling strategy, but I am persuaded (or am I because ideology and plain language matters?) that the name is merely a funding ploy feeding into health and welfare pots and the network is still meant to be truly multi-use.

The BHS will continue to work to this end with our audits of Scotlands Great Trails nearing completion and our education and partnerships.

Really, we admire the walkers and cyclists; most of us are walkers and cyclists.

The best thing horse riders can do is be responsible and courteous when out and get involved with local cycling and walking initiatives themselves, helping to fundraise and volunteering to ensure the surfaces do suit every one. There are some great universal materials available these days.

Finally, if access challenges would not make your blood pressure soar, then living with a man with man flu certainly will!

I know a farmer who, when struck down with sinusitis boldly soldiered on recently, decided he would take one Sinutab every four hours instead of two, because although he was seriously ill, he was only half seriously ill.

I pointed out that it said ‘take two every four hours’ on the packet and this is not a small farmer. But hey ho ... it's his illness after all!