Early in December, Newtown Police Department posted a few photographs on their Facebook page, and this one post generated over 1,400 comments and almost 200 shares as of this writing, by far the largest response to an NPD post all year! What caused this immense response from our community? The photos were stills taken from a GoPro camera mounted on the helmet of a horseback rider.

On September 1 the rider, traveling on the side of a road in the Platts Hill area, was very seriously injured because a young person on what appeared to be a dirt bike drove up behind the horse and rider. The very loud noise of the un-muffled engine spooked the horse and the rider was thrown to the pavement and was soon rushed to the hospital. The injuries were extremely serious and immediate surgery was required. Thankfully, the victim is out of danger, but the road to recovery will be a long one.

The Police Department post showed two photos of the dirt bike and its operator and asked if anyone had information about the identity of this person. The responses were surprisingly numerous as well as emotional and opinionated. Many expressed sympathy for the rider with wishes for a full recovery. Others strongly criticized the youth and his parents for not coming forward to take responsibility. Some writers felt that the horse should have been better trained before being allowed on the road. And others felt the youth should be left alone, with the idea that kids need their freedom. It was also obvious that many simply do not know much about horses or the laws relevant to horses on public roads. That’s not their fault; we all can use a little education on this subject.

First and foremost, there is a state law on the books that specifically addresses how operators of motor vehicles are required to act when encountering horses on public roads. Connecticut State Law 14-293b requires motor vehicle operators to reduce speed or stop if necessary to avoid endangering the rider or frightening or striking the horse. It is forbidden to blow a horn or cause a loud or unusual noise in a manner to startle or frighten the horse. Operators might be held liable if their carelessness causes an accident. Operators should pass horses slowly, giving at least a six to eight foot berth. This is state law, not a local Newtown ordinance.

Equally important, a horseback rider must also follow certain guidelines per State Law 14-293a: walk only (no trotting or faster) single file on public roads, staying to the right and going with the flow of traffic. Riders must obey all traffic regulations, including stopping at stop signs and clearly giving turn signals when motorists are behind them.

Therefore, the rider involved in the accident had every right to be on the road and followed all requirements of the law. The dirt bike operator, probably due to ignorance and not any ill intent, was not driving slowly and was making excessive noise. It appears that the operator is a youth. If he was riding his dirt bike with parental approval, it is the responsibility of the parent or parents to make sure their child understands the laws of the road.

I truly cannot understand the logic of those who posted to defend the youth for his behavior with comments suggesting that kids will be kids. I don’t have enough information to know definitively if the vehicle was street-legal, but leaving the scene of an accident is illegal. Even if the parents did not know the law around horseback riders, they must surely know that one should never leave the scene of an accident and should have communicated that basic information to their kid. Raising kids is not easy, and mine certainly made mistakes as they matured. My heart goes out to the family during this very difficult time. Many in the horse community and outside of it are hoping the parent(s) will do the honorable thing and reach out with their child to take responsibility and embrace this as an experience from which they can move forward.

Many comments on the police department post suggested that the horse should have been better trained and acclimated to traffic. For those not familiar with horses, this seems a reasonable suggestion. The reality is that “de-spooking” a horse is always a good idea, but horses are large, unpredictable animals that have a flight instinct that cannot be fully trained out of them. This horse was scared by the loud noise of the dirt bike and reacted suddenly. Even the strongest, most experienced riders can fall off when this happens. Even the calmest horse in the world can spook. It is just their nature; it’s like trying not to flinch when a ball is thrown at your face.

Loss of trail access in Newtown is also a factor in horse-vehicle interactions. Close to where this accident happened is a lovely path that connects two different trail systems. This particular trail crosses several parcels that are privately owned. For at least 30 years, the homeowners have allowed horseback riders to access this trail. There has never been a negative incident in all those decades. Earlier this year an individual bought a house in this area and decided (as is their right) to no longer allow horses to traverse the 300 yards that cross their property, effectively closing off the entire trail linkage. Horseback riders do not want to be riding on the roads, but sometimes they must in order to get to friendly trails. Of note, there is a state statute that limits the liability of property owners who allow access for recreational purposes. See CT Gen Stat § 52-557g (2024).

So … If you are driving down the road and see a horse and rider ahead of you, please slow down and give them plenty of room. Equestrians are required to ride with the traffic, so you’ll see them on the right. Please do not honk your horn; this can scare the horse, who might jump into the road. If you are driving a truck or bus, please don’t downshift right by the horse; that also makes a large, scary noise. Slow down, pass with a wider berth of at least six to eight feet, and do not pass on hills or curves. When approaching a horse from behind, let oncoming traffic pass the horse first, and when returning to the traffic lane, do not cut quickly in front of the horse; give them plenty of room and, finally, stop and wait if the rider is having difficulty controlling the horse. You might occasionally see a horse and cart in the traffic lane. In that case, please drive a minimum of 20 feet behind them when following on the road. If a rider is thrown and injured, for goodness’ sake, call 911 and wait for the emergency vehicles to arrive. But I didn’t need to tell you that. Above all, use common sense.

One question the non-riding public often asks is how they should behave when they see a horse and rider not on a road but out on the trail. The best advice is to STOP, SPEAK and YIELD. Make sure your dog is leashed. You STOP to allow the horse to get a good look at you, you SPEAK to reassure the horse that, yes, you are a friendly human being and not a predator, and you YIELD by moving to the side of the trail to allow room for the horse to pass. A few don’ts: Don’t walk up and pet the horse without the rider’s consent, and don’t allow your dog to get close, because you have no idea how the horse will react. Have a chat with the rider; we are friendly!

Just as you would hold the door for someone in a wheelchair, help a sight impaired person cross the street, wait for a pedestrian to cross the street, or not let your dog jump on another dog at Fairfield Hills, it does not take much effort to be a good neighbor. Everyone has the capacity to act politely and respectfully around others, whether they are walking, driving a motorcycle, riding a bicycle, or on a horse. We live in a rural town and our public roads are used not just by cars and trucks, but also hay wagons, horses, moms pushing strollers, retirees with their dogs, and the mailman. Let’s all be tolerant neighbors here in our lovely town and respect the activities and hobbies of our fellow Newtowners. There just is no place for the rancorous vitriol seen on the community Facebook pages.

The Chinese New Year starts in a month and 2026 is the Year of the Horse. Perhaps here in Newtown we can all learn to live peacefully with these beautiful creatures that enrich our lives.

Tracy Van Buskirk is a 40 year resident of Newtown and president of Newtown Bridle Lands Association, at nblact.org, a nonprofit volunteer organization formed in 1978 to foster an interest in horseback riding as well as preserving, protecting, and maintaining riding and hiking trails in the community. Horses have always been a part of her life. She owns a small bay quarter horse named Little Bear.