RebelCritter
Well-known member
Strange Horse Laws
Here is a collection of some of the wildest horse laws ever passed. This
is a compilation of approximately 41 loony laws. Hope you enjoy! A great
many of these laws were aimed specifically at horses and riders. No one
knows how they got there and no one living has a memory of anyone
arrested under them.
In Omega, New Mexico, every woman must "be found to be wearing a corset"
when riding a horse in public. A physician is required to inspect each
female on horseback. The doctor must ascertain whether or not the woman
is, in fact, complying with this law!
In Hartsville, Illinois, you can be arrested for riding an ugly horse.
In Pattonsburg, Missouri, according to the Revised Ordinances, 1884: "No
person shall hallo, shout, bawl, scream, use profane language, dance,
sing, whoop, quarrel, or make any unusual noise or sound in such manner
as to disturb a horse."
A Wyoming community passed this one: "No female shall ride a horse while
attired in a bathing suit within the boundaries of Riverton, unless she
be escorted by at least two officers of the law or unless she be armed
with a club." And continues with this amendment to the original: "The
provisions of this statue shall not apply to females weighing less than
ninety pounds nor exceeding two hundred pounds."
A misworded ordinance in Wolf Point, Montana: "No horse shall be allowed
in public without its owner wearing a halter."
A Fort Collins, Colorado Municipal Code: "It is unlawful for any male
rider, within the limits of this community, to wink at any female rider
with whom he is acquainted."
West Union, Ohio: "No male person shall make remarks to or concerning,
or cough, or whistle at, or do any other act to attract the attention of
any woman riding a horse."
Abilene, Kansas, City Ordinance 349 declares: "Any person who shall in
the city of Abilene shoot at a horse with any concealed or unconcealed
bean snapper or like article, shall upon conviction, be fined."
1899 vintage law from Waverly, Kentucky: "Any person who shall ride a
horse in a public place while wearing any device or thing attached to
the head, hair, headgear or hat, which device or thing is capable of
lacerating the flesh of any other person with whom it may come in
contact and which is not sufficiently guarded against the possibility of
so doing, shall be adjudged a disorderly person."
A 1907 Cumberland County, Tennessee statute reads: "Speed while on
horseback upon county roads will be limited to three miles an hour
unless the rider sees a bailiff who does not appear to have had a drink
in thirty days, then the horseman will be permitted to make what he
can."
Figure out this 1913 Massachusetts law: "Whosoever rides a horse on any
public way-laid out under authority or law recklessly or while under the
influence of liquor shall be punished; thereby imposing upon the
horseman the duty of finding out at his peril whether certain roads had
been laid out recklessly or while under the influence of liquor before
riding over them."
Male horse buffs in Basalt, Nevada, are prohibited from eating onions
between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. while out riding.
Law specifies only men! Ice cream lovers beware in Cotton Valley,
Louisiana. Citizens aren't allowed to eat an ice cream cone while on
horseback in public places.
An antiquated city ordinance in Quartzite, Arizona, prohibits anyone
from playing cards with a pregnant woman, a child, or an Indian, "lest
they acquire a taste for gambling!"
In McAlester, Oklahoma, it's taboo for a woman over 235 pounds and
attired in shorts to be seen on a horse in any public place.
It's illegal in Marion, South Carolina, to tickle a female under her
chin with a feather duster to get her attention while she's riding a
horse!
It's a violation of the law for a married man to ride on Sunday in
Wakefield, Rhode Island. Married women aren't mentioned, so it must be
okay for them.
A newly married man in Kearney, Nebraska, can't ride alone. The law
states that he "can't ride without his spouse along at any time, unless
he's been married for more than twelve months."
It is strictly against the law in Bicknell, Indiana, for a man to leave
his new bride alone and go riding with his pals on his wedding day. The
penalty is a week in jail.
In Bismark, North Dakota, every home within the limits of Bismark must
have a hitching post in the front yard.
Budds Creek, Maryland, has an antique law which prohibits horses from
sleeping in a bathtub, unless the rider is also sleeping with the horse.
In Headland, Alabama: "Any man on horseback shall not tempt another
man's wife. An unmarried horseman should not stop overnight when the
woman is alone."
Bluff, Utah's legislation regarding the Sabbath: Women who happen to be
single, widowed or divorced are banned from riding to church on Sunday.
Unattached females who take part in such outlandish activities can be
arrested and put in jail.
Citizens are prohibited from buying, selling or trading horses "after
the sun goes down" in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, without first getting
permission from the sheriff.
In Schurz, Nevada, they have an old law which prohibits the trading of a
horse after dark.
In Pee Wee, West Virginia, people are prohibited from swapping horses in
the town square at noon!
A unique law in Pine Ridge, South Dakota where horses are banned from
neighing between midnight and 6 a.m. near a "residence inhabited by
human beings."
And in Pocataligo, Georgia, horses aren't allowed to be heard neighing
after 10 p.m.
Paradise, California, retains a most unusual law that says it is illegal
to let a horse sleep in a bakery within the limits of the community.
What about goats, cows, etc.?? Only horses are mentioned.
In Sutherland, Iowa, a law governs how horses may be seen when on the
streets during evening hours. The animal must always have a light
attached to its tail and a horn of some sort on its head.
No rodeos in this town! No man is allowed to ride his horse "in a
violent manner" if he happens to be in Boone, North Carolina.
Female riders in Clearbrook, Minnesota, be aware of this one governing
the heel length of a horsewoman's shoes. Any such woman can wear heels
measuring no more than 1-1/2 inches in length.
A loony clothing ordinance in Upperville, Virginia, bans a married woman
from riding a horse down a street while wearing "body hugging clothing."
A $2 fine can be imposed on any female rider who wears "clothing that
clings to her body."
An attorney can be barred from practicing law in Corvallis, Oregon,
should he refuse to accept a horse in lieu of his legal fees.
Trying to find a wife? Watch out in Tranquility, New Jersey that you
don't violate this law. The law states that a person can't distribute
handbills while on horseback as a means of advertising for a wife.
It is against the law in California for horses to mate in public within
five hundred yards of any church, school or tavern! The penalty can be a
$500 fine and six months in jail. This law isn't clear as to whether the
horse or the owner is fined and jailed.
McAllen, Texas, has outlawed citizens from taking pictures of horses on
the Sabbath. Any person who "disturbs" or "otherwise antagonizes a
horse" in this manner will be subject to a fine of at least $1.50 and
can be jailed for as much as "three full days and nights."
In Burdoville, Vermont, it states that "no horses are allowed to roam
loose between March 1 and October 20!
In case you have an accident in Hortonville, New York, here's their
antique law: "The rider of any horse involved in an accident resulting
in death shall immediately dismount and give his name and address to the
person killed.
Watch out in Rhinelander, Wisconsin if you are riding a horse while
intoxicated! An old ordinance takes care of the problem. Such a
horseman, per the law, must be given a "large dose of castor oil." Who
doles out the penalty? The horseman's wife! Refusal to take the castor
oil results in a fine!
In closing, a summation of Clergyman Henry Ward Beecher's view on the
art of lawmaking holds so much truth. "We bury men when they are dead,
but we try to embalm the dead body of laws, keeping the corpse in sight
long after the vitality has gone. It usually takes a hundred years to
make a law; and then, after the law has done its work, it usually takes
another hundred years to get rid of it."
Here is a collection of some of the wildest horse laws ever passed. This
is a compilation of approximately 41 loony laws. Hope you enjoy! A great
many of these laws were aimed specifically at horses and riders. No one
knows how they got there and no one living has a memory of anyone
arrested under them.
In Omega, New Mexico, every woman must "be found to be wearing a corset"
when riding a horse in public. A physician is required to inspect each
female on horseback. The doctor must ascertain whether or not the woman
is, in fact, complying with this law!
In Hartsville, Illinois, you can be arrested for riding an ugly horse.
In Pattonsburg, Missouri, according to the Revised Ordinances, 1884: "No
person shall hallo, shout, bawl, scream, use profane language, dance,
sing, whoop, quarrel, or make any unusual noise or sound in such manner
as to disturb a horse."
A Wyoming community passed this one: "No female shall ride a horse while
attired in a bathing suit within the boundaries of Riverton, unless she
be escorted by at least two officers of the law or unless she be armed
with a club." And continues with this amendment to the original: "The
provisions of this statue shall not apply to females weighing less than
ninety pounds nor exceeding two hundred pounds."
A misworded ordinance in Wolf Point, Montana: "No horse shall be allowed
in public without its owner wearing a halter."
A Fort Collins, Colorado Municipal Code: "It is unlawful for any male
rider, within the limits of this community, to wink at any female rider
with whom he is acquainted."
West Union, Ohio: "No male person shall make remarks to or concerning,
or cough, or whistle at, or do any other act to attract the attention of
any woman riding a horse."
Abilene, Kansas, City Ordinance 349 declares: "Any person who shall in
the city of Abilene shoot at a horse with any concealed or unconcealed
bean snapper or like article, shall upon conviction, be fined."
1899 vintage law from Waverly, Kentucky: "Any person who shall ride a
horse in a public place while wearing any device or thing attached to
the head, hair, headgear or hat, which device or thing is capable of
lacerating the flesh of any other person with whom it may come in
contact and which is not sufficiently guarded against the possibility of
so doing, shall be adjudged a disorderly person."
A 1907 Cumberland County, Tennessee statute reads: "Speed while on
horseback upon county roads will be limited to three miles an hour
unless the rider sees a bailiff who does not appear to have had a drink
in thirty days, then the horseman will be permitted to make what he
can."
Figure out this 1913 Massachusetts law: "Whosoever rides a horse on any
public way-laid out under authority or law recklessly or while under the
influence of liquor shall be punished; thereby imposing upon the
horseman the duty of finding out at his peril whether certain roads had
been laid out recklessly or while under the influence of liquor before
riding over them."
Male horse buffs in Basalt, Nevada, are prohibited from eating onions
between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. while out riding.
Law specifies only men! Ice cream lovers beware in Cotton Valley,
Louisiana. Citizens aren't allowed to eat an ice cream cone while on
horseback in public places.
An antiquated city ordinance in Quartzite, Arizona, prohibits anyone
from playing cards with a pregnant woman, a child, or an Indian, "lest
they acquire a taste for gambling!"
In McAlester, Oklahoma, it's taboo for a woman over 235 pounds and
attired in shorts to be seen on a horse in any public place.
It's illegal in Marion, South Carolina, to tickle a female under her
chin with a feather duster to get her attention while she's riding a
horse!
It's a violation of the law for a married man to ride on Sunday in
Wakefield, Rhode Island. Married women aren't mentioned, so it must be
okay for them.
A newly married man in Kearney, Nebraska, can't ride alone. The law
states that he "can't ride without his spouse along at any time, unless
he's been married for more than twelve months."
It is strictly against the law in Bicknell, Indiana, for a man to leave
his new bride alone and go riding with his pals on his wedding day. The
penalty is a week in jail.
In Bismark, North Dakota, every home within the limits of Bismark must
have a hitching post in the front yard.
Budds Creek, Maryland, has an antique law which prohibits horses from
sleeping in a bathtub, unless the rider is also sleeping with the horse.
In Headland, Alabama: "Any man on horseback shall not tempt another
man's wife. An unmarried horseman should not stop overnight when the
woman is alone."
Bluff, Utah's legislation regarding the Sabbath: Women who happen to be
single, widowed or divorced are banned from riding to church on Sunday.
Unattached females who take part in such outlandish activities can be
arrested and put in jail.
Citizens are prohibited from buying, selling or trading horses "after
the sun goes down" in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, without first getting
permission from the sheriff.
In Schurz, Nevada, they have an old law which prohibits the trading of a
horse after dark.
In Pee Wee, West Virginia, people are prohibited from swapping horses in
the town square at noon!
A unique law in Pine Ridge, South Dakota where horses are banned from
neighing between midnight and 6 a.m. near a "residence inhabited by
human beings."
And in Pocataligo, Georgia, horses aren't allowed to be heard neighing
after 10 p.m.
Paradise, California, retains a most unusual law that says it is illegal
to let a horse sleep in a bakery within the limits of the community.
What about goats, cows, etc.?? Only horses are mentioned.
In Sutherland, Iowa, a law governs how horses may be seen when on the
streets during evening hours. The animal must always have a light
attached to its tail and a horn of some sort on its head.
No rodeos in this town! No man is allowed to ride his horse "in a
violent manner" if he happens to be in Boone, North Carolina.
Female riders in Clearbrook, Minnesota, be aware of this one governing
the heel length of a horsewoman's shoes. Any such woman can wear heels
measuring no more than 1-1/2 inches in length.
A loony clothing ordinance in Upperville, Virginia, bans a married woman
from riding a horse down a street while wearing "body hugging clothing."
A $2 fine can be imposed on any female rider who wears "clothing that
clings to her body."
An attorney can be barred from practicing law in Corvallis, Oregon,
should he refuse to accept a horse in lieu of his legal fees.
Trying to find a wife? Watch out in Tranquility, New Jersey that you
don't violate this law. The law states that a person can't distribute
handbills while on horseback as a means of advertising for a wife.
It is against the law in California for horses to mate in public within
five hundred yards of any church, school or tavern! The penalty can be a
$500 fine and six months in jail. This law isn't clear as to whether the
horse or the owner is fined and jailed.
McAllen, Texas, has outlawed citizens from taking pictures of horses on
the Sabbath. Any person who "disturbs" or "otherwise antagonizes a
horse" in this manner will be subject to a fine of at least $1.50 and
can be jailed for as much as "three full days and nights."
In Burdoville, Vermont, it states that "no horses are allowed to roam
loose between March 1 and October 20!
In case you have an accident in Hortonville, New York, here's their
antique law: "The rider of any horse involved in an accident resulting
in death shall immediately dismount and give his name and address to the
person killed.
Watch out in Rhinelander, Wisconsin if you are riding a horse while
intoxicated! An old ordinance takes care of the problem. Such a
horseman, per the law, must be given a "large dose of castor oil." Who
doles out the penalty? The horseman's wife! Refusal to take the castor
oil results in a fine!
In closing, a summation of Clergyman Henry Ward Beecher's view on the
art of lawmaking holds so much truth. "We bury men when they are dead,
but we try to embalm the dead body of laws, keeping the corpse in sight
long after the vitality has gone. It usually takes a hundred years to
make a law; and then, after the law has done its work, it usually takes
another hundred years to get rid of it."
