Every year, riders and their horses are forced onto roads which are busier and busier, with vehicles driven by people who either don't know or who don't care that horses are prey animals which text fast to flee perceived danger.

There are thousands of footpaths, often very underused, but many fewer bridleways. Where bridleways do exist, they are not joined up, but lead onto roads.

Horses and their riders are extremely vulnerable and, due to increased residential and commercial building in East Anglia, they are unable to escape on to land they have accessed in the past.

The Welsh government has changed the law surrounding countryside access so that equestrians are now permitted to use footpaths.

In the county which is home to its own horse breed, the Suffolk Punch, and where the ancient racing centre of Newmarket is situated, we would like to think there are similarly forward thinking and risk-aware councillors and landowners who could follow the intelligent and humane example set in Wales.

Please  add your name to this brand new petition.