Is It Legal to Ride a Horse on the Road in New Jersey

While many road travel destinations are in cities, many of us like to visit the countryside and breathe in the fresh air. In the countryside, we are more likely to see people riding horses, whether for fun or for training. If you are not familiar with seeing horses on the road, there are a few guidelines you need to follow to protect yourself, the horse and the rider. Horse-drawn carriages also pose particular problems on the road, especially when used in congested urban areas. Most cities that allow carriage rides also have extensive regulations on how these cars operate and how drivers behave near them. However, in most cases, drivers do not know their duties regarding driving a motor vehicle around a car, and car operators, although familiar with the regulations, may not always comply with them. Enforcement is always a concern. Even if a carrier violates a certain rule and is caught, the penalties usually consist of a fine or, if the violation is serious enough, a suspension of the operator`s licence. However, these penalties do not address concerns about incidents resulting in injury or damage. Suppose a driver`s vehicle is damaged by a negligent car driver? Or let`s say the coachman did everything right, but the horse has a bad day and screws, injuring a driver or even a pedestrian. Do the driver and/or pedestrian have legal recourse in both cases? Nor do these questions have a definitive answer and, despite attempts by various States to regulate the situation, this area remains a hive of legal activity. Although most states don`t have constitutional laws specifically prohibiting driving on state highways, riders still have to follow the rules of the road (and most highways specifically exclude horses and pedestrians). If you approach a horse that is scared and the rider/handler gives you a distress signal (usually a raised hand), you MUST stop your vehicle and wait until the horse is under control and the rider/handler gives you the signal that you agree to continue your way.

A few years ago, an accident occurred in a small town in New Hampshire in which an elderly driver collided with a horse and rider on a local road. The driver left the scene of the accident but later reported the incident. The young rider was injured and the horse was so badly injured that he had to be euthanized. The driver was accused of leaving the scene of the accident, but no other law was found to be violated as no law specifically applied to the situation. Most states dictate that you have to drive on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic (except Colorado, where you have to drive on the left). Ride in a single lane when you are in a group, staying as close to the shoulder as possible. (Source) However, there are always consequences if you ride your horse recklessly or if you break explicit traffic rules. In most states, horse-drawn riders and handlers can use the roads and must follow all local traffic rules. The owner of the pet should always exercise caution and try to keep the road open to facilitate traffic. This table contains a link to the search page for each state legislature. When searching for traffic statues, use terms such as « animal riding, » « horseback, » « horse, » « livestock, » or « non-motorized vehicle » for best results. Even if you can`t be charged with drunk driving, you should still avoid anything that could jeopardize your safety or that of your horse.

Individual rules may vary from region to region on exactly when and where you can ride, but in most cases it`s legal to ride a horse on the road, unless specifically prohibited. You should always follow all signs posted when riding a horse for your safety and that of the drivers around you. If necessary, use equestrian crossings and avoid driving in pedestrian-only areas (such as sidewalks). Any well-trained horse can be easily frightened and the most experienced rider/handler may have difficulty controlling the animal. Like most frightened animals, a horse can jump on the road, which can cause a serious accident with oncoming traffic. In states where it is not technically illegal under the highway code to ride a horse after a few drinks, they have been convicted of other offenses such as public drunkenness. (Source) If you don`t have direct access to miles of hiking trails or well-maintained arenas, you may need to ride a horse on the road. Even if you don`t understand all the fancy legal language, you just know that in most places it`s pretty legal to ride a horse on the street – as long as you`re safe. In the same vein as horse-drawn carriages, Amish buggies, although generally operated in more rural areas, also pose specific problems. Several states have a very active Amish population that uses horses and strollers as their primary mode of transportation. Drivers in these states are generally required to approach these strollers with caution and drive safely, as they would with any slow-moving vehicle. During the day, most drivers can clearly see a horse and buggy, but at night it could be a different story.

Amish strollers are usually black and can be difficult to see at night. As a result, some states have passed or are trying to pass laws requiring strollers to be labeled with reflective danger marks that warn drivers. While this may seem reasonable, it may be at odds with the Amish way of life. In Kentucky, this requirement has already been challenged on religious liberty grounds. Although the state has won this battle, there are many others that have not yet been fought. Here, too, there is the question of responsibility. In some states, Amish strollers do not need to be registered or insured as a motor vehicle, and there are no age restrictions imposed by the operator. Suppose a person is injured by an Amish horse and stroller, either by the negligence of the operator or by the unpredictable behaviour of the horse? Would there be a legal remedy? These questions still do not have a definitive answer and much depends on the specific circumstances. While there is no federal law preventing you from riding your horse on city streets, you should always make sure you don`t break local rules. Many states have laws to protect cyclists on the road, although some are more comprehensive than others.

Here`s an example from New Hampshire: Ultimately, though, knowledge is your first and best defense. Whether you`re planning to ride horses on the roads near you or you`re planning to visit an area where horse-drawn carriages and strollers are present, do your research first to make sure you know your rights and obligations. When spring arrives and the weather warms up, many people focus more on outdoor activities and enjoy the fresh air. Horse lovers are no exception. Trail riding is becoming more and more popular and many horse owners are considering taking their horses on the road. In many towns and villages, horse-drawn carriage rides are experiencing a business boom. While this is a great way to enjoy nature, all that extra horse activity naturally leads to additional problems. When it comes to carriage rides, many people don`t think about the specific « rules of the road » that need to be followed by cyclists and vehicle drivers. Therefore, over the years, it has become a hotbed of litigation.

Whether you`re riding a horse on a public road or driving a car in an area where horses travel, it`s important to know the rules that apply. This may seem like a simple task, but it is not. In some states, people have been charged and convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drunk driving (including California, Texas and Florida) while riding their horses while intoxicated. You don`t need a license to ride a horse, but you may need one if you want to do other things like drive a buggy in certain areas, drive other people on a trail, or pick up passengers in a horse-drawn carriage. You`ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that in most places it`s completely legal to undertake your horseback riding efforts off the property and on a country road. Even if your horse must follow traffic rules, you cannot get a speeding ticket or a red light, and you cannot be « stopped » if you legally ride your horse in an area where you are legally allowed. « Every person who controls a vehicle and approaches a horse, whenever it approaches a horse, to drive, manage and control the vehicle in a manner that takes all reasonable precautions to prevent the horse from being frightened and to ensure the safety and protection of any person riding or driving it. » (Source) In most cases, vehicles should yield to riders and avoid scaring horses (no honking or speeding), and everyone should work together to divide the road.