Are Horses Allowed On Pavements? (Answered!)

I’ve recently started wandering further afield when taking my horse out for rides, and we came upon an ordinary footpath for the first time the other day.

I wasn’t sure if it would be okay to take the horse on there for a few reasons, not least how busy it was, so on this occasion, I just decided to turn around and go back the way I came.

I was keen to carry on, though, so for future reference, I decided to do some research and find out if it’s legal.

So, are horses allowed on pavements?

It is illegal for horses to be ridden on pavements. Any footpath designated for use by people or cyclists should not be ridden on by a horse. Different rules will apply in different states, but in general, you should ride your horse on the road. There are public bridleways where horses can be ridden.

So, the simple answer is no, and it seems like the common-sense answer.

Pavements are designed for pedestrians, and horses are big animals.

It would be very difficult for most pavements to accommodate both of them.

Let’s look at this question in more detail.

Is it bad for horses to walk on pavements?

In the first place, wherever you are in the world, it’s almost certainly illegal.

Just as it’s technically usually illegal to ride bicycles on the pavement, riding your horse is, too.

It would block up the walkway since horses are so big, and with people having to walk very close to your horse, there is always a chance of injury if the horse becomes spooked.

Beyond that, it’s not really great footing for the horse, either.

If your horse doesn’t have horse shoes, walking on hard pavement will put a lot of stress on their hooves and can damage them.

This might not have a huge effect immediately, but in the long term it could do a lot of damage.

It will also make your horse’s legs and feet sore.

If your horse’s hooves are properly conditioned, then it will be fine walking on pavement if we are talking about pavement as a material.

But ‘pavement’ as meaning a pedestrian footpath should be avoided.

Is it against the law to ride a horse on a footpath?

In the U.S., there isn’t any federal law banning horses from footpaths, but states almost universally designate horses as being required to ride on the roads.

Certainly if you have any kind of cart attached to your horse.

So, most states may not necessarily say ‘riding your horse on the pavement or footpath is illegal’.

However, they will say that horse riders have a legal obligation to ride on the road, implicitly indicating that riding on the pavement is not allowed.

Since these laws are usually local, it’s worth checking up on your area.

The U.S. has barely any formal designations for bridle paths, and horses usually are allowed on trails and public routes.

As far as city pavements, though, you will likely be reported for doing this.

Some urban bridle paths do exist, like in Philadelphia and New York.

On the other hand, many trails managed by the U.S. Forest Service restrict the access for horses, whether throughout the year or only at certain times.

Check up on your local laws before going ahead with anything.

Do horse riders have to pick up poop?

Again, local laws may differ on this.

The important distinction to make is that horse manure is much less potential harmful than dog poop.

This is because of their diets.

Since horses eat pretty much exclusively plants, their poop is just digested fibers.

There’s nothing in there potentially harmful.

Dogs are carnivores, so their poop poses a few potential dangers.

It can cause blindness.

Horse poo may not be all that nice to look at, but you aren’t usually obligated to climb off your horse and clean up their poop.

Is it illegal to use your phone while riding a horse?

No, usually it is not.

Exercise some common sense, though, and realise that you can’t possibly have full control of your horse if you are looking at your phone while riding.

Certainly, if you’re anywhere near a pavement you should not be on your phone.

If there are pedestrians or any kind of hazard you need to be aware of nearby, you shouldn’t use your phone.

There are, however, no specific laws about using your phone while riding a horse.

Don’t take your horse on the pavement is the simple answer, then.

It’s not designed for them, and doing so is just really inconsiderate of pedestrians if nothing else.

It’s bad for the horse, too, as the footing is not great for their hooves and being next to a road could scare them.

Don’t take your horse on the pavement—the horse and the pedestrians will all thank you for it.