Maryland Horse Council
Trails & Greenways Committee

Respecting Private Property

Yesterday was a lovely day for a ride. The fall air was clean and crisp, bright skies were accented with clouds. We rode for hours among the fall leaves, enjoying the wildlife, and chatting with people in canoes, fishers, hikers, and hunters.

One of the local farmers approached us. It seems that a group of equestrians had run through his planted fields adjacent to the park. His fields, which are planted for game animals like deer and geese, look like overgrown unplanted fields. His fields are clearly defined on the park maps as “private” property, so whether the fields looked like they were planted or not, isn’t really the issue. No one should have been riding in his fields.

The gentleman was understandably quite angry with the equestrian community.. He’s talking with horse people in hopes that we can police ourselves. He was quiet, considerate, and very kind when you consider tthe damage done to his field. Talking to this man, I found that he didn’t object to horses or riders, he just wants to have some respect for his property. No one from the group(s) has sought his permission to ride on his land. No one from the group(s) has offered apology.

As equestrians we can avoid this kind of ill will by only riding on private property when you have the land owners permission. If a field d is planted, ride only on the edges. If you don’t know if a field is planted, stay off! This is a simple courtesy. I promised this gentleman that I would submit an article to the clubs I belong to in an effort to gently remind everyone, that if we don’t respect others property, we will eventually alienate those very folks we desperately need to keep on our side – the landowners.