Conference noted::equitation

    
    When I was 12 and in the local 4-H club, we were heavily into
    trail and road riding.  The leaders got together and dug up
    all the information on traffic laws relating to animals, and
    passed it on to all of us during the meetings.  This is for
    Mass only - I don't have any idea what other states do.
    
    Horses have the right of way in any situation. If a rider signals
    a motorist or passer by on bike, ATV, moped - u name it, that 
    person MUST stop. In failure to do so, or in an instance of
    harrassment, you may take any information and pass it to an
    official.  The first fine I believe is $25.00, the second is
    either 50 or 100, the third is revoking of license. This goes for
    the road or trail.
    
    

    The biggest problem with the Mass law is enforcement.  Its difficult
    to get the number of that bus when your immediate concern is to
    regain control of a thousand pound animal who is sure that it is
    about to die.  Then if you could get the number, you can feel secure
    with the satisfaction that upon conviction, the driver will pay
    less for a fine than if he were charged with speeding (typical speeding
    fine in Mass is $50).  Remember too that the burden of proof is
    on you to prove that your flailing arms trying to get the motorist
    to stop could not have been interpreted as a signal to go on by.
    I have a friend who learned this the hard way as he watched his prized
    Arabian mare euthanized on the side of the road.  Maybe the fine should
    be double their insurance rate... that would get their attention.
    
    Bob who_never_rides_on_the_road_any_more_except_to_cross_it
    
    

    
    You're right Bob, It's a little hard to get a license plate
    while worrying about keeping the frightened animal in line.
    The only time it worked for me was when I was riding in a group
    over a wooden bridge, one of the horses became very nervous and
    started jumping around, a car came, we stopped the driver, he
    proceeded to come onto the bridge, we yelled at him to stop, he
    kept coming until the horse kicked his car (a nice BMW). Well
    that got him out of his car. He started screaming at us that we
    had no right to be on the road, we should be on a trail, we
    told him that we were coming off one trail, crossing the bridge,
    and picking up the other half of the trail. It didn't suit him,
    I guess. He informed us that he was going to sue the owner of
    the horse, luckily we had another witness (other than the group
    of us on horseback) and when the police came they took him to
    the station. Incidentally he ended up paying for the repair bill
    to his car and was given a fine, punitive I'm sure, but still a
    fine. The following week the laws concerning motorists and riders
    appeared in the local paper.  
    
    -Marianne-
    

    I remember reading an article about the MA motorist laws
    concerning livestock (similar to the one Marianne mentioned)
    but it was at least 5 - 7 years ago.  Too bad we couldn't
    get the local news papers to reprint it more often, especially
    during the summer/fall when more people are riding on the road.
    At least this would make people more aware of the law, and 
    they might take it more seriously if they were to see it repeated
    more often.

    I'm pretty sure I've read something on this subject in "Horsemen's
    Yankee Pedlar"; probably in their "It's the Law" section.  I don't
    keep all my back issues (don't have the room) but maybe one of the
    other noters does.  It wouldn't hurt to give them a call (or write)
    and ask them to print such an article again soon.
    
    I've also spoken with the Editor of our weekly "free delivery" paper,
    "1590 Broadcaster", and she's going to ask her headline writer to
    research this law in NH and publish it in that paper.  I know there
    are many communities in NH and MA who receive weekly newspapers
    like the Broadcaster; maybe that's a good start.  Contacting other
    newspaper companies is also a good idea.
    

    
    Thank you for all your supportive and helpful suggestions!  Lets
    hope some of these publications will pull through.
    
    BTW - At one of the last Mass. Equine Expos there was a group that
    had put a book together on all the Mass. laws that pertained to
    horses.  I didn't get a copy being a N.H. resident.  Maybe there's
    a noter that did? 
                
    Thanks again.
    Dani
    

    Marianne, I think you may have come across the solution at least
    as a last resort.  There was probably no greater punishment to a
    Bimmer (BMW) owner than to see a hoofprint in the side of his car.
    I usually point my horse's business end at dogs that chase us on
    the trail but I think I'll include dirt bikes and cars with that
    category.  At least they can try to defend themselves.  If they're
    stupid enough to get that close, then they deserve to get kicked.
    
    Bob
    

    
    
    
    One of the things that we did here in Maine was contact the Dept
    of Transportation with our concerns...  They in turn have made a
    point of every year running an article in the state papers which
    documents the law (the horse has the right of way - as indicated
    by the rider OR driver of a buggy/jogcart by a wave of the hand)
    etc.....  These articles seem to appear every year now so tha's
    (that's) a step in the right direction.  
    
    (that's) a step in the right direction - regards - holly b

    
    I believe the relevant laws for Massachusetts are in Chapter 90
    Section 14 of the vehicle code.  You might try a library or the
    Statehouse Bookstore (727-2834) to find them.
    
    					- Monty

    Re: .7
    
    The document you are refering to on Mass General Laws was researched
    and produced by Pat Rhule from the Mass Dept of Agriculture.  I
    remember talking to Pat about how much work it was since she literally
    scanned through all of the Mass General Laws to extract all of the
    ones which referred to horses.  Unfortunately I never got a chance
    to take a copy myself.  I'll ask her if I see her again if she still
    has some left, or anyone could probably track her down through the
    Dept of Ag.
    
    Regards,
    
    Bob
    

    I saw a small poster in the window of the Victory Pass
    tack shop in Derry NH that discussed the law and made people
    aware about cars and horses.  You could try to contact
    the store and find out where they got the poster.  The
    shop is in a small outdoor mall, and I think a lot of people
    must read it because it is in a visible place in the window.

    
    I have an idea...
    
    How about creating a sign for the person or horse to wear - something
    along the lines of :  GO SLOW, DON"T HONK  or whatever would be
    appropriate.  This is along the same ideas of trucks having sign
    that say "this truck makes wide right hand turns" or "wide load".
    This could be made out of a light weight fabric and either tied
    to the riders back or drapped off the horse's rump.
    
    I was talking to a coworker about this and mentioned how some stupid
    people would drive by and honk their horns.  His comment was "well,
    they probably don't know any better" and he was serious.  It got
    me to thinking, and there is probably some validity in this.  Of
    course, there are the people that do it intentionally - I was riding
    once and this motorcycle rider started racing up and down the road
    next to me to try and spook the horse.  My horse just ignored him
    :-).
                                                       
    Sherry
    
    

    Just yesterday I was riding down the road in one direction and a
    friend of mine on her horse was approaching from the other direction,
    we didn't stop to chat or anything but at as we were going by each
    other, on opposite sides of the road of course, a grumpy older man
    speeded towards, slammed on the brakes and told me that we were
    creating a nuisance by riding on opposite sides of the road. I pointed
    out to him that we were travelling in different directions but it
    didn't matter because he then informed me that we were making "a
    h--- of a messfor cars by riding on opposite sides of the road"
    and then sped (literally, 20 mph posted, he was doing more than
    that!)
    
    Hmmmm, I wonder what the grump does when he has to pass 2 bicylists
    going in different directions, run them over???
    
    Re; .-1, the guy I had trouble with probably was only driving his
    heapbox maverick cuz his BMW was in the garage but he sure acted
    the same!
    
    Linda
    

    RE: .15
    
    Sounds like a typical Redneck.  That's what we call the local idiots
    that drive their tanks and brown bombs here in Washington.
    
    Where I live, the main road is a blind curve where the driveway
    connects.  The speed limit is 35 MPH, but this is still to fast.
    The county has put two signs up (horse & rider type), about 300 feet
    either side of the driveway, because the driveway is a horse easment
    to the pipeline trail.  Anyway, the people drive so fast down this road
    their tires squeal.  I got my horse used to the noise by walking
    her down to the end of driveway and just standing there.  I'll never
    ride down this road, but it's interesting to watch the rednecks
    as they come around the blind curve doing 50 & 60 and see a horse all
    of a sudden.  They sure TRY to slow down...
                                      
    Larry.  

re: .16

>    Sounds like a typical Redneck.  That's what we call the local idiots 
   
   I can't let that one go by.  I'm married to a "redneck" from Oklahoma 
   (by way of LA), she's got lot's of relatives in and around OK and Texas. 
   
   Most, if not all, "rednecks" are either farmers or their parents were,
   and they all like horses (even my wife who grew up in LA).  They wouldn't
   ever intentionaly hurt either a horse or it's rider.
   
   They also like pick-up trucks and are very self righteous; maybe that's
   why you folks in Washington use "redneck" in a derogatory fashion. 
   
   Peace
   
   			Marty

	When I was 19 a friend and I were riding down a country road in
	Indiana. My friend's horse was a kicker and had to be approached
	very carefully if you were comming from behind. During our ride 
	a group of mean looking teenage boys pulled up by us and began
	gunning the car engine and threatening us. Tom turned old Grumpy
	around and he let loose with a two legged kick that made a very
	good size dent in the car. We took off hell bent for leather across
	a field and (luckily) never saw those guys again. Boy, I'd like to
	teach Taffy to do that. liesl