Horse Riding Laws? (Howe: house, live, legal)

[parkk]

What are the laws concerning riding horses on county roads in Travis county?

[TexasHorseLady]

You know, I'm not sure there are any beyond common sense. What exactly do you want to know and maybe I can find something in the statutes.

[car957]

See Chapter 143 of the Texas Agriculture Code:

Agriculture Code (http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/ag.toc.htm - broken link)

Specifically, see Section 143.102. It appears that if you are in control of your animal, it's perfectly legal to ride on or along side a road. However, the statute allows the county to enact more restrictive regulations so you should contact TCSO to determine if any other county laws supercede the State law.

[TexasHorseLady]

I knew about the state law, but don't know of any Travis County ones, which is what the OP appeared to be addressing.

[parkk]

car957,

[SIZE=2]I found that also, looks like it's pretty cut and dry. The reason I ask is we have some guys out here in south Travis County that have started riding their horses daily. I have lived here for 15 years and livestock gets out for time to time and every now and then someone would ride a horse. I've always liked that because it still gives us that out in the country feeling.
But for the past few months these guys are out here every day and our dogs and the neibors dogs go nuts and there starting to wear paths in the ditches in front of the house (I know, I know, I see everyone playing the violins).
I don't know why they can't ride on their property? Anyway, no big deal, I'm going to drop it.
[/SIZE]

[car957]

I tried to find the Travis County statutes on-line and had no luck. I would think a call into 3-1-1 would get the OP into contact with a TCSO officer or dispatcher who could answer the question.

[TexasHorseLady]

Hmmm. Maybe you should acclimate your dogs to horses, perhaps with the cooperation of the riders? Do they bark every time a car goes by?

[parkk]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Hmmm. Maybe you should acclimate your dogs to horses, perhaps with the cooperation of the riders?

That would be fun but I don't have time for it and the riders don't speak english.

Do they bark every time a car goes by?

No, only at other animals and people that come on the property. They are good dogs, they would not hurt anyone. I'm worried that if one of them got out (very rare but has happened) and spooked a horse causing someone to be injured, then I can probably get sued?

[TexasHorseLady]

I finally managed to break our dogs of barking at anyone having the gall to use the road that runs in our house (there's a ten acre field between the house and the road, so it's not like they had a good reason for it except that, in their opinion, that's OUR ROAD). I had to consistently correct them for it, but eventually they got the idea that that was not allowed. Someone turns into our quarter mile long drive, though, and they're free to bark their heads off, and will, so they were able to learn the difference.

As for the liability in the scenario you mention, frankly, I'm not sure how that would play out, but I can see how it would be a concern. Thing is, as far as I know, the riders are within their rights to ride on their (and your) road. Do the horses or riders seem to react in any way to the barking? I ask because that would indicate whether the horses have been "dog-proofed" or not.

[parkk]

The horses seem to be ok with the dogs barking and they have a dog with them also.