Hikers Oppose to Right to Ride

[ASB.Immortality]

This is just wrong & on alot of levels of wrongness at that.

http://www.highsierrahikers.org/ha-right-to-ride.html

They are a little outdates but I just can't believe there are people like this out there.

[hast]

So what happened to that bill?

[Abejita]

http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=6974


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).

[SQUEAKS]

Thanks ASB

I visited their website and was not impressed with their organization or their unfounded accusations.
I sent them this by e-mail. Want to see if they respond so I can do a story in the paper.


I am just wondering what are your reasons for opposing horseback riders ? Since I own horses and ride all the time I will not support your group or any legislation that is against the use of horses on public lands. I cannot understand your position and I would like some answers.

Bob Evans
Editor & Publisher
Vilcom International Outdoor News & Horse Report
PO Drawer 70
Greenville, Florida 31331

850-948-6496

Owner/Operator
Emerald Acres Paso Fino Ranch
850-948-6498

It appears this organization wants all public lands open only to hikers and closed to the equine community.

There are absolutely no reasons why all who use public lands and national parks cannot cooperate for the best interests of all.

That's my 2 cents :D
Bob

[motorgypsy]

atttached is the email I sent to the organization. All we can do is floor our representatives with emails in support of the bill. Yes I support some restrictions on equestrians if the trails are fragile but to deny us access altogether is very wrong.

Title: Horseless trails

Body:
Why would you oppose the use of horses on trails? We are senior citizens. We don't have the physical capability to walk these trails. We ride small environmentally friendly horses who are restricted to trails, are not ridden on trails after rains, are not allowed to eat the native vegetation and leave the land as it was when they walked through. We are former Sierra club members and strong supporters of environmental protection. Shame on you for denying us the right to share the beautiful wilderness with those of you who are more physically able. Are you going to deny guide dogs next? You stance is very hostile to the senior community. We'd very much appreciate your reasons for wanting to deny us access.

Thank you very much for considering our opinion.,

[Mellifluous]

Part of this stems from the fact that for the most part, land management agencies are putting their equestrain users on poorly designed and laid out trails that are not sustainable. Many times these trails are old logging roads or user created trails that follow fall lines and are adopted by the agency.

If we had better trails, there would not be the resource damage occuring that gets other people's panties in a wad.

[cowboy ed]

ya'll were a bit nicer than i was with this. my email to the sierra hikers said simply, "take a hike!" :lol:

diplomacy fails me at times......