To The Editor:

I am with the Newtown Bridle Lands Association, a horse friendly organization that has existed in Newtown for almost 50 years. Among many other activities, we help build and maintain trails in Newtown for all types of passive recreation — not just horseback riding.

A few weeks ago, a horseback rider traveling on the side of a road in Newtown was very seriously injured because a person on a motorbike chose to fly by the horse and rider very fast and very close. The horse spooked, the rider was thrown and now this person is facing a long rehabilitation after being in ICU for almost a week.

The motorbike rider broke the law! Connecticut State Law (14-293b) requires that when encountering a horse on the road, operators of motor vehicles must slow down, pass slowly leaving 6-8 feet between your vehicle and the horse, do not pass on hills or curves and resist blowing your horn!! When approaching from behind, let oncoming traffic pass the horse, and then wait until traffic is clear before passing with a wide berth. Stop and wait if the rider is having a difficult time controlling the horse.

We have many horses here in Newtown and although riders prefer to be on beautiful trails in the woods, loss of trail access has forced riders to ride on roads. We also rely on the generosity of landowners to let us sometimes cross their property to stay safe. We appeal to new homeowners to honor old trails even if legal easements do not exist. If just one landowner closes off a trail on their property it can cause a whole network of long existing trails to become inaccessible. There is another Connecticut State law that protects homeowners from liability if they do allow recreational use (Statute 52-557g).

If you are walking or biking on one of the many trails in our town and come across a horse and rider, please follow these simple guidelines: stop, speak, stand back and yield to horses. Make sure your dog is leashed and under your control.

In Connecticut, horses have the right of way on both trails and on roadways. Please, please, please share the road safely with horses. Be a good neighbor; lives are at stake!

Tracy Van Buskirk

President

Newtown Bridle Lands Association