Equine Niagara News - where can you ride?

Where Can You Legally Ride Your Horse?
Downtown St. Catharines? Sure!
Ok, so you have your horse tacked and ready to go, off on a journey to heaven knows where? But now you're wondering just where you can legally go with your horse? The possibilitie are endless.

That being said, you want to make sure you're not on private property, obey "No Trespassing" signs and take all precautions for safety. Of course, there are some that will never ride outside the riding ring, but for those more adventurous types, there's always some where to go and ride or a new challenge to conquer.

In Niagara we are blessed with the Shorthills Provincial Park, having miles of scenic trails designated for the horse; the Upper Canada Heritage trail that runs from Niagara-on-the-Lake, to St. David's - a trail maintained by the Upper Canada Equestrian Association; the Canal trail and part of the Friendship trail. Forgive us, if we've missed any. But what about riding else where - like downtown St. Catharines?

Equine Niagara asked our local mounted police officer, Ron Derksen just what the rules are pertaining to horses and where we can legally ride. Here is his Ron's response:

"Generally horse & riders are considered pedestrians when on the road, so few traffic laws apply to them. There are no 'poop and stoop' laws either because horses are herbivores and their poop isn't the same as dog or human. (The carriage companies have to clean up or have a bag because it is part of their contract/licence as they are working for profit).

In the Region of Niagara there are no bylaws that prohibit horses from riding in any of the towns or cities other than the Friendship Tr., east of Holloway bay Rd in Fort Erie. So if someone wants to ride in downtown Niagara Falls or St. Catharines, go ahead! The only roads you are not allowed to ride on, nor would you want to, is the QEW and the 400 series highways.

In the Highway Traffic Act there are two sections that apply. The first says that you can't race horses on the road. That means racing on a bet or wager. That doesn't mean you or I can't gallop down the road for fun. "Horse racing on highway 173. No person shall race or drive furiously any horse or other animal on a highway. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 173."

The other says that drivers shall not intentionally scare or frighten a animal on the road. Intentionally is the key here. " 167. Every person having the control or charge of a motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle on a highway, when approaching a horse or other animal that is drawing a vehicle or being driven, led or ridden, shall operate, manage and control the motor vehicle or motor assisted bicycle so as to exercise every reasonable precaution to prevent the frightening of the horse or other animal and to ensure the safety and protection of any person driving, leading or riding upon the horse or other animal or being in any vehicle drawn by the horse or other animal. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 167."

And of course, private property and the Tresspass to Property Act have to be considered. If you are going on private property, you should have permission. If you don't and the property owner sees you and tells you to get lost, you have to get lost. There are fines under the TTPA that are about $80 a pop. "

Keep in mind, Niagara Parks Commission land is private property and you wouldn't want the fine associated with riding there.

Another thought to consider, as many of us like to ride with a little something stronger than water in our flasks - that is illegal. While you can't be charged with impaired driving (as you're not considered a motorized vehicle), you can be charged with being intoxicated in a public place, not to mention having open liquour/beer in a public place.

So ride to your heart's content. But before under taking a ride through downtown St. Catharines, make sure your horse is road safe, can handle the vehicles and commotion, signal as you would riding a bike and keep in mind it will take a lot longer to get from point A to point B on horseback. You know those 5 minutes of galloping to the next town in the movies - would have been a day's ride in reality….

EQUINE NIAGARA NEWS - From the Horse's Mouth

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