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S. 2283, The Preserving our Equine Heritage on Public Land Act (2800 comments ↓)
- This item is from the 110th Congress (2007-2008) and is no longer current. Comments, voting, and wiki editing have been disabled, and the cost/savings estimate has been frozen.
S. 2283 would preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public land administered by the National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service on which there is a historical tradition of the use of pack and saddle stock animals.
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Visitor Comments
Gary Williams
November 19, 2007, 10:31am (report abuse)Restrict! Further Restrict!Even "Preserve" should not be used in conjunction with our freedom to ride on Public Lands."WithOut Resriction" should be the wording.This Bill may not be strong enough.We should be able to ride on any road or trail that exists that our horses and mules are capable of traversing.Furthermore , we should be able to ride where there are no trails ,if we and our horses are able.
Bunny Young
November 19, 2007, 10:43am (report abuse)YES! YES! YES!
Riding in the forest....well there's just nothing like it. Concentrate on stopping the things in life that don't bring pleasure.
Joel Murphy
November 19, 2007, 11:10am (report abuse)I absolutely support the ride to rides horses and mules on federal lands, especially national parks -- just as former President Teddy Roosevelt did, and encouraged all Americans to do frequently!
Karen Parham
November 19, 2007, 11:27am (report abuse)Please, vote yes for this bill. Georgia continues to be consumed by development and our counties are bombarded with overwhelming traffic. The only safe places we have to ride are in the county, state or national lands. If the national lands are taken from us due to rider damage can you imagine if all the rides are only permitted in small state and county parks? We pay taxes and volunteer to work on these trails, please, don't take them from us. Let's work together, if let us help we will.
Marian Zarbos
November 19, 2007, 12:13pm (report abuse)Oh my God-I can't believe this is an issue. Riding through the forest gives us riders a time to releases stress and forget about what issues should be addressed in congress. Give me a break!
Debbie Walker
November 19, 2007, 12:24pm (report abuse)Please vote YES for this bill. Equestrians are finding it more and more difficult to have a place to ride their horses other than in a round pen or arena. We pay our taxes and should be allowed to ride on public land. Most of us are more than happy to help maintain the trails.
Stacie Amerson
November 19, 2007, 12:54pm (report abuse)Please allow us to keep rideing on this beutiful land of ours. It is in the best intrest of the quality of life for horse people and our children to continue this privlage. Many people spend alot of time maintaining and preserving the beuty of these areas and i believe horse people of all knids care about the land and the people enjoying it. They are cognisant of the privlage to enjoy it and the rights of others. We can all share and enjoy this amazing country if we work together.
Gayle Newton
November 19, 2007, 1:07pm (report abuse)I say the trails should be kept open for those who love horses and are responsible horse owners to ride whenever they want.
To many of America's tradions are falling along the wayside just to make room for progress. Unfortunately, progress is not always for the people and by the people.
Leave the land and horse riders alone.
Michael Anderson
November 19, 2007, 1:40pm (report abuse)Please vote YES. We help to maintain and look after the forest and should be able to use it for horseback riding.
Carol Johnson
November 19, 2007, 1:53pm (report abuse)We're responsible horse owners and trailriders. We must keep access to the trails. Vote YES to this bill please! Keep trails open to horses. We trail ride all summer and travel with our horses.
Melinda Placke
November 19, 2007, 2:21pm (report abuse)Horses have been and still are a big part of America. Without them we would not have found new land, brought civilization, won wars and farmed this land. To deny the right to ride our National Forest and PUBLIC land is to deny a part of our heritage and our RIGHT to use and enjoy this piece of what our taxes support. Horse trails must be kept open and expanded. The recreational horse rider is a huge income generator for all industries. To deny them the access to these lands would have an economic impact that would be felt. If there is a need to support these public trail systems, then don’t deny access, but charge a nominal fee to help build and maintain these trails. I myself would not hesitate to pay a nominal or yearly fee to be able to explore and ride our public lands.
Melinda Placke
November 19, 2007, 2:38pm (report abuse)Horses have been and still are a big part of America. Without them we would not have found new land, brought civilization, won wars and farmed this land. To deny the right to ride our National Forest and PUBLIC land is to deny a part of our heritage and our RIGHT to use and enjoy this piece of what our taxes support. Horse trails must be kept open and expanded. The recreational horse rider is a huge income generator for all industries. To deny them the access to these lands would have an economic impact that would be felt. If there is a need to support these public trail systems, then don’t deny access, but charge a nominal fee to help build and maintain these trails. I myself would not hesitate to pay a nominal or yearly fee to be able to explore and ride our public lands.
Angelika O'Donnell
November 19, 2007, 2:47pm (report abuse)Yes. Please preserve the right.
Anita Smith
November 19, 2007, 3:17pm (report abuse)Horses access to public lands is vital to preserving the last beautiful lands we have to enjoy. I want my grandchildren to be able to see a red tail hawk fly overhead as they ride on these preserved lands. Please vote YES to this bill, we pray that other groups will also try to preserve the land. As they say, land - they are not making anymore of it.
Joe Manning
November 19, 2007, 3:35pm (report abuse)Please continue to keep our open lands available to equine enthusiasts. With so much development in our rural areas this is one of the last activities we can enjoy in the great outdoors.
MICHELLE MATTINGLEY
November 19, 2007, 4:57pm (report abuse)I VOTE YES. ACCORDING TO THE HORSEMEN'S COUNCIL OF ILLINOIS EQESTRIANS IN ILLINOIS SPENT $3.8 BILLION DOLLARS LAST YEAR. IT WOULD BE A DETRIMENT TO THE EQUESTRIANS AND LOCAL ECONOMIES.
Diana K. Hix-Watford
November 19, 2007, 5:23pm (report abuse)I vote yes. Please continue to let our lands be used for equines.
Doris Heasley
November 19, 2007, 5:52pm (report abuse)I vote YES. This is a healthy family oriented activity that should be preserved for generations to come!
Marcus Bach
November 19, 2007, 6:02pm (report abuse)Our family is very much in support of this bill. We vote yes. Please continue to keep our Public Lands public and open to all equine. I hope that my grandkids will be able to enjoy the same experiences with their horses on our public lands.
Lindsay Campbell
November 19, 2007, 6:37pm (report abuse)Yes to the bill.
Jo West
November 19, 2007, 8:03pm (report abuse)I am 65 years old and the greatest joy in my life is trail riding on public lands! It has kept me active and healthy. Horses are my life! I have worked as a volunteer on the trails I ride in order to help preserve their natural beauty. It is our heritage and our right to be able to trail ride our public lands.
Marianne Torchia
November 19, 2007, 8:40pm (report abuse)I vote YES to this bill. Horses are our history, to ban horses from trails is equivalent to extinction...
nicole platt
November 19, 2007, 8:58pm (report abuse)I vote yes!
ELIZABETH STUDENIC
November 19, 2007, 8:59pm (report abuse)I VOTE YES!
APRIL ELKINS
November 19, 2007, 9:00pm (report abuse)I vote yes.
Carrie Roper
November 19, 2007, 9:01pm (report abuse)I vote yes!
Jim Mayer
November 19, 2007, 10:08pm (report abuse)I vote yes for this bill. Horses are a good part of our history & we need trails to ride them on & we need them in our community especially since gas is getting so high we can't travel very far. I am on the Board with BCH in Ky. We now have a voice in Washington.
Debbie Sutton
November 19, 2007, 10:13pm (report abuse)I vote yes on S.2283 Please let our public land remain open to all equine and preserve our right to ride. It is the only safe place to ride. No one wants to be restricted to ride in a riding ring.What kind of government takes away the peoples rights to public lands for recreation?
Pat Buls
November 19, 2007, 10:24pm (report abuse)I support this bill with great enthusiasm. We need outdoor experiences for our mental and physical health. Horse travel in the back country is the very foundation of our western heritage. It's still the best way to discover our public lands. Let's keep it that way!
Barbara Biello
November 20, 2007, 5:48am (report abuse)Vote yes! Horse back riding is a healthy, natural sport that should be preserved. Our children are getting phobic of the outdoors! Please don't close any more corridors for them not to experience. Places to ride horses are diminishing.
Marilyn Frederick
November 20, 2007, 6:09am (report abuse)VOTE YES!! IF WE LOSE THIS VOTE~IT WILL BE, JUST ONE MORE OF OUR RIGHTS THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN AWAY!! THERE ARE FEW PLACES YOU CAN RIDE ANYMORE, SO LETS KEEP THE PUBLIC LAND~PUBLIC!! I HAVE BEEN RIDING SINCE I WAS 6 YRS OLD~AND I HAVE SEEN THINGS ON THE BACK OF MY HORSE, YOU JUST CAN'T SEE ANY OTHER WAY! ALSO, KIDS RAISED WITH HORSES, SELDOM GET INVOLVED WITH DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR!!
Patricia Johnson
November 20, 2007, 8:37am (report abuse)to ride on Public Lands........
Children I have had and or know, are much better citizens for having access to Horses and all they offer. If only MORE Children could have that experance.
Lynda B. King
November 20, 2007, 8:50am (report abuse)The time has come for all Americans to start standing up for what they believe in...SO STAND UP horsemen and horsewomen...FIGHT for our continued access to public lands that our TAX DOLLARS pay for.
Tamma Trump
November 20, 2007, 8:50am (report abuse)Please Vote YES to this bill. Horses are a part of our national history. Our forefathers created this nation on horseback the trails are a part of our history.
Colleen Whitlow
November 20, 2007, 8:54am (report abuse)This nation was borne on horseback-keep the national history and heritage alive by keeping horse and man together on the land that we, yes WE, own. Don't allow a few special interests to dominate our land and keep us off of it. The horse played a very important role in the discovery and colonization of America,and a horse is far less destructive than a vehicle on the land.MIGHT AS WELL JUST BAN THE 4TH OF JULY WHILE WE'RE AT IT.
Vickie Crowe
November 20, 2007, 8:56am (report abuse)I vote yes! Please keep alive the freedom for us to enjoy one of God's most beautiful creatures and the little bit of nature left out there for us.
Peggy Paris
November 20, 2007, 9:07am (report abuse)Please vote Yes! Please do not take away the right to ride on public land. We have less and less places to ride.
Laura Hoffmann
November 20, 2007, 9:08am (report abuse)As a resident in Georgia,I am witnessing the land being "developed" as they say when they destroy the trees and churn the dirt to put up houses that aren't even selling. As a country we NEED to pass this bill. Our horse farms are being pushed further and further North because of the "developers". But these animals have the right to a home, and the builders need to stop being so greedy and slow down.
Don Patterson
November 20, 2007, 10:46am (report abuse)Please vote yes on this bill. The right to ride on public land is something that we should all support.
Brenda
November 20, 2007, 11:23am (report abuse)Yes, please do not keep horse riders from public land. This would be a disaster.
Ronald Allen
November 20, 2007, 11:26am (report abuse)Unless you have experienced riding the trails of public land you wouldn't understand the heart break. Don't stop equine from being able to use public land.
Yvette Rollins
November 20, 2007, 12:00pm (report abuse)This bill is essential to protect our riding on public lands for future generations. In Indiana we only have 4% of our land mass in public lands which gives us very little opportunity for riding, camping and enjoying the wide open spaces. Urban sprawl has taken most of the land owned by farmers that were available in the past for riding. We need to preserve the opportunities we have now or there won't be a future.
K. Dawes
November 20, 2007, 1:20pm (report abuse)Our ancestors traversed this great nation by horseback and by wagons pulled by horses long before we were born. I vot YES on SB 2283
D Dawes
November 20, 2007, 1:21pm (report abuse)I vote yes on SB 2283
W. D. Burwood
November 20, 2007, 1:25pm (report abuse)I spent 20+ years defending this country all over the world. Now it is time to enjoy it. Public lands should be just that, PUBLIC! As long as people are good stewards of the land they should not be deprived of using it. The horse built this country and the tradition and right to use public lands should not be taken away.
Garris Graham
November 20, 2007, 1:30pm (report abuse)Yes I vote for it.
Eileen Swann
November 20, 2007, 2:08pm (report abuse)Please vote yes! We are losing enough of our riding areas to housing developements and shopping centers. We need somewhere to be able to go and ride and camp that wont be taken away.
Greg Sefton
November 20, 2007, 2:37pm (report abuse)The equestrian users of public lands are a very conscientious and caring group of people. As a horse & mule lover, I'm proud to be associated with them. Kudos to BCH for their work with the forest service & other govt entities to build & maintain trails. My wife & I helped with some of those projects. Never saw a hiker or mtn biker out there building bridges, water ledges or trails. Great Bill. Let's all work to get it passed!!
Harriet Walsh
November 20, 2007, 2:42pm (report abuse)Keep the public lands open to horseback riders. It is much safer than riding on the side of the highway.
I Vote Yes on SB 2283
Andrea Sante
November 20, 2007, 3:39pm (report abuse)I vote YES on SB 2283. Preserve our right to ride horses on public land.
Katherine McKillip
November 20, 2007, 5:01pm (report abuse)There is no better way to see this country than from the back of a horse. Public lands should always be open to horseback riders.
Paula Miller
November 20, 2007, 5:08pm (report abuse)Please keep our access to public lands open for horses and riders. I enjoy being able to ride in safety among beautiful woodlands.
Linda Hybl
November 20, 2007, 6:20pm (report abuse)Please vote for this bill enabling equestrians continued riding use on public lands. It is a traditional recreational opportunity that our young people need the chance to experience as we have.
Edward Clayton
November 20, 2007, 8:33pm (report abuse)Have enjoyed riding some of the
state parks in this country on
horseback.Our right to ride horses
on public lands should never be
taken away. As our American Flag is now protected so should our
right to ride our horses on any
public land. My vote is YES on
SB 2283
SueAnn Adams
November 20, 2007, 10:45pm (report abuse)It is so sad to see all the simple things being taken away from our children and grandchildren. Sharing the beauty of the land on horseback is a wonderful experience. I vote yes!
Jim Chaney
November 20, 2007, 11:20pm (report abuse)Vote yes!! Without horses in the back country maintenance of trails for ALL users will suffer. Both due to lack of funding and lack of the agencies ability to get into the back country with tools and crews with pack stock help.
Bob Hudson
November 21, 2007, 5:44am (report abuse)horseback riding,is the best sport
because it can be enjoyed by all
ages,I have been riding for 70 years and never heard or seen any drugs,Vote yes on SB 2283
C. Smith
November 21, 2007, 6:33am (report abuse)The proud equestrian tradition of the United States is reflective of the diversity of our great nation. However every rider - from the Wyoming cowboy to the Virginia foxhunter, and every horse - from the hunter jumper to the barrel racer , can use and benefit from our network of equestrian trails. We cannot allow yet another grand tradition fall to the wayside. Use of our public lands by the public is a proud component of our heritage that should be continued. What would Theodore Roosevelt say?
Lynnette Burks
November 21, 2007, 6:46am (report abuse)Please vote YES. With constant development, public lands, parks, forests are becoming our only places to ride. Trail riding is positive recreation for the individual and a wonderful way to teach your kids to enjoy nature.
Jan Sweeney
November 21, 2007, 6:48am (report abuse)The thing that I love to do most is ride my horse in the state and national parks, wildlife management areas. Please vote yes to this bill. I will be watching.
Chris Littlefield
November 21, 2007, 7:29am (report abuse)I vote YES!
Alberta H. Dodson
November 21, 2007, 7:37am (report abuse)Please vote "YES" to keep our public lands available to equine enthusiasts. Open land in the rural areas continues to be swallowed up by encroaching development, leaving riders with no place to ride.
Diane L. Gibson
November 21, 2007, 7:38am (report abuse)Please vote yes. Please keep access to our public lands open to non-motorized users.
Arlene Kirkland
November 21, 2007, 7:54am (report abuse)Vote Yes! Lets save our heritage for our childerns children to enjoy.
Gwen Confalone
November 21, 2007, 9:19am (report abuse)I echo the sentiments of many others who posted here. Our wilderness is disappearing at an alarming rate due to development pressures. To further limit equestrian access to already rapidly dwindling public lands would be devastating to those of us who enjoy exploring our natural heritage on horseback. Please vote YES!
Sandy Pegram
November 21, 2007, 11:22am (report abuse)In Alabama alone, horses constitute $2.4 BILLION a year and much of that is devoted to trail riding. A clean, wholesome family activity. We need, for us and our future generations, to be able to enjoy nature and it's beauty.
Ann McGann
November 21, 2007, 12:16pm (report abuse)Riding horses is not new to our great land. I, for one, do NOT want to see it taken away. There are thousands of tax paying horse owners, and we need to continue to have the right to ride in our American forests!
Janet Metz
November 21, 2007, 5:34pm (report abuse)Vote YES! There is nothing more wonderful than riding in our beautiful national parks.
Diane Hall
November 21, 2007, 7:41pm (report abuse)Have you ever heard a bird singing and no vehicle noise in the background, wind blowing in the trees or grass waving as the wind moves through it? Something my Children and Grandchidren have the right to see and enjoy. Generations have witness this as our great country moved from coast to coast courtsy of the horse, mule and donkey. This bill needs and should pass.
Bruce Walker
November 21, 2007, 8:29pm (report abuse)This bill does not just affect the current generation but affects the future generations of horseback trail riders. Most students in my riding school are 7-12 years of age, to deprive them of the use of this land for horseback riding would be the greatest travesty and an insult to our heritage. Please vote in favor of this bill.
Lauren King
November 21, 2007, 11:42pm (report abuse)Vote YES and continue allowing equestrians, who are great stewards of our beautiful back country, the right to trail ride on public lands.
Stephen Schultz
November 21, 2007, 11:50pm (report abuse)I Vote YES! We Love Our public lands here in Southern Utah, And we love our horses. The Reason we live in such a remote and beautiful area, And the reason we live with limited income options and few amenities is because of these public lands and the right to ride them!
Terrie & Rodney Shumate
November 22, 2007, 12:01am (report abuse)We both vote yes! Man/Woman and the horse are part of the Great USA. Horse people love and respect our riding areas and do all we can to preserve and keep clean for all the use.
Richard Clifton
November 22, 2007, 7:48am (report abuse)Seeing our public lands by horseback gives you the ability to see other animals that are spooked by man's noises. You travel in awe of what is there and preserve the beauty for others to see. Save our right to ride.
Lauren Pachuilo
November 22, 2007, 8:37am (report abuse)Trails and backcountry should be open to all users that wish to preserve the quiet and beauty of such. Equestrians, hikers and bikers generally put in many hours of work to maintain those areas for future use and equines are a necessity to packing in the tools needed to do so. The process of getting to point B is what horse people are all about! Pass that bill!
Al Vick
November 22, 2007, 9:45am (report abuse)I Vote yes to the Bill and the right to ride..
Joy Bostrom
November 22, 2007, 3:45pm (report abuse)Please vote yes to SB 2283. It seems here in FL they give more trails to mt. bikes but refuse to give more horse trails in spite of the fact we were here years before the bikes.
D. HUNT
November 22, 2007, 7:47pm (report abuse)I ACCIDENTLY VOTED THE WRONG WAY. I AM DEFINATELY FOR THIS. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP RIDING ON OUR BEAUTIFUL LAND.
Lisa Rath
November 23, 2007, 11:59am (report abuse)I vote YES!!!!!!!!!
I also 40 yrs old I was blessed with the chance to ride in our National Forests with friends. It was by far the most peaceful beautiful thing I have ever experienced. We are hoping to share such and experience with my kids and grandkids. Protecting the land and wildlife is very important to the true equestrian. Please allow us to past on a true National Treasure to the children of the future.
Gail Hendrix
November 23, 2007, 3:12pm (report abuse)There are too few trails, don't take more away from the equestians. Many trails were started by horse folks