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