House Passes Right-to-Ride Legislation

On May 16, the House of Representatives passed Congressman George Radanovich’s “Right-to-Ride” bill (H.R. 586). The bill is intended to protect the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, wilderness areas, national monuments, and other areas that are administered by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service where there is a historical tradition of such use.

“Congressman Radanovich has been a great champion of preserving recreational riders’ access to public lands,” said AHC President Jay Hickey. “We appreciate his steadfastness in introducing this legislation and pushing it through the House.”

The legislation would require that federal agencies manage the public lands to preserve and facilitate the traditional and continued use and access of horses to these areas. The legislation provides that “as a general rule, all trails, routes, and areas used by pack and saddle stock shall remain open and accessible for such use.”

During the House debate, Congressman Radanovich stated that “perhaps no other activity is more synonymous with the exploration of our vast open lands than that of the use of pack and saddle stock. Who could forget those images of President Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir on horseback at what was to become the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Parks?”

In response to the argument that this bill singles out pack and saddle use and affords it greater consideration than other forms of recreation or commercial use, Mr. Radanovich argued that “pack and saddle use has played a far greater historic role on our public lands, particularly in our western states, than simply recreation. What may be perceived by some today as recreation was once a vital part of everyday living throughout our Nation’s history.”

The American Horse Council supports this legislation. “Many individuals who enjoy recreational riding on public lands have experienced frustration over the reduction of trails and the closure of public lands to horses. To prevent further closures, recreational riders are working closely with their local land managers and also looking for legislative solutions. We appreciate Congressman Radanovich’s taking such an active role in this effort,” said AHC President Jay Hickey.

Recreational riders must turn their attention to supporting the Senate bill (S. 781), which has been introduced by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID).