Excluding bridleways

Hi, I recently made a route which included a troublesome bridleway section although otherwise fine. It passed through a field of longish grass with thistles and no obvious track and terminated in a farm gate with numerous interested cows. The bridleway signs at both ends were aged and largely obscured by hedges. My question is what mode would come closest to excluding bridleways & what else would I lose? 

I checked OS details and it is shown as a bridleway there too. 

I would have turned round and found an alternative but it was at the bottom of a hill & I was tired.  Thanks - great application!