Recreation and Trail Issues

Million of Americans participate in recreational trail riding every year. Riding provides Americans with a link to the past and a chance to see and experience America’s great outdoors from horseback just as early explorers and settlers did. Besides being a healthy activity that allows Americans of all ages to enjoy the outdoors, recreational riding also has a direct and significant impact on the national economy.   The recreational horse industry contributes nearly $32 billion a year to the economy and supports the employment of over 435,000 Americans nationwide and involves 4 million horses.

The recreational riding community is dependent on access to public lands.   Recreational riders also need well maintained trails, trail heads for horses, access routes, picnic and camping facilities, restrooms and stables to make use of our nations public lands.

The AHC is committed to the conservation of America’s public lands and strongly believes that recreational riding is a historic, fundamental and legitimate use of our country’s public lands that should be promoted and maintained.   The AHC works to make sure our federal land management agencies have the resources they need to build and maintain trails etc. and to ensure equestrians have continued access to our public lands.