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On September 21, 2004, The Right to Ride bill (H.R. 2966) was unanimously passed by voice vote in the full House of Representatives.
"This is a huge victory for the horse industry, especially those actively involved in recreational riding on public lands that have been frustrated by the continual closing of trails and other areas to horses, " said Jay Hickey, President of the American Horse Council. "This bill informs land managers that the use of horses on public lands is entrenched in the history of this country and there are groups of people across the United States and working on Capitol Hill that are keeping that history and tradition alive."
After the bill passed, Represent-ative Radanovich (R-CA) stated that he introduced this bill to help people who ride horses and other pack animals, who are being severely restricted on certain federal lands. "H.R. 2966 recognizes the historical precedent of this recreational activity and ensures that people can still ride pack and saddle stock animals on federal land. Specifically, H.R. 2966 makes certain that our public lands will be managed to preserve and facilitate the continued recreational use of pack and saddle stock animals," Radanovich said.
"The recreational horse industry really appreciates the steadfast efforts of Congressman Radanovich on this legislation. He is a real champion for the horse industry," said Hickey.
The legislation applies to all federal lands managed by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Forest Service.
Specifically the legislation mandates that the lands should be managed by the federal agencies "to preserve and facilitate the continued use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on such lands, including wilderness areas, national monuments, and other specifically designated areas, where there is a historical tradition of such use." In addition, the legislation requires that "as a general rule, all trails, routes, and areas used by pack and saddle stock shall remain open and accessible for such use."
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