10/2505 --  Important - Right to Ride - please act quickly (received via email on 10/25/05)

It was noted at the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington meeting Saturday that the recent request to contact our legislators about the Right to Ride bill fell short of being persuasive. Of the some 3100 members of BCHW only a handful responded. Other federal lands users are working hard to exclude the horseman from our mountain trails.

If you want to ride a horse on federal lands in the future (or you want your grandkids to) send an email to Maria Cantwell,or your state representative etc.... today. The bottom line is "if the horse folks don't care why should I?"

Of note-the links below will take you directly to the American Quarter Horse Association response site and it is very easy to send the e mail to your state representatives. Please take a few moments to help safeguard this right for our children.

It's as easy as clicking on this link below and entering your zip code, etc. It only takes a moment to do.

http://capwiz.com/aqha/issues/alert/?alertid=7749306 

http://capwiz.com/aqha/issues/alert/?alertid=7749306&type=CO>&type=CO 

DON'T DELAY - DO IT TODAY.

Please pass this on to as many other equestrians or persons that would be just as interested in this matter as possible. Thank you!

  2/3/05 -- Radanovich Announces Introduction of Right to Ride Act   

WASHINGTON - Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) announced today the introduction of the Right to Ride Livestock on Federal Land Act to the newly convened House of Representatives of the 109th Congress.

Trails and federal lands must be kept open and accessible to all those who desire to use and enjoy them, including pack and saddle stock, Radanovich said. Riding livestock across America's vast plains and through its extensive wilderness regions is a part of this nation's history. We cannot allow such a link to our heritage to be threatened or severed by efforts from radical organizations who seek to restrict access to federal lands.

The bill, which Radanovich originally introduced during the 108th Congress last year, preserves the use of pack and saddle stock as a natural way for visitors to enjoy federal lands. Horseback exploration of the backcountry is enjoyed by scout and church groups as well as families, and provides wilderness access to senior citizens and the disabled-- groups who otherwise might not have the opportunity to enjoy such an experience.

The act seeks to preserve and facilitate the continued recreational use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service and Forest Service lands. It passed in the House last year, but did not make it to Senate passage prior to the end of the previous Congress.

 Ask your Congressmen to support the Right To Ride Bill, HR 2966

Please send a letter to your congressman.

This is a suggested letter to be sent to your senators asking them to support the Right to Ride bill.

(Your Address)

(Today’s Date)

The Honorable (name)
Address

Dear Senator (name),

I would like to convey to you my unequivocal support for HR 2966.

The House passed HR 2966, or the “Right to Ride” Bill on September 21st 2004.

The yes vote by the House was a vote of recognition of the unique place that horses and other saddle stock have in our American culture and tradition.

The bill itself would preserve and facilitate the continued use of saddle and pack animals on all federal lands where there is a historical tradition of such use.

I would like to ask for your support for the House passed bill when it reaches the Senate floor.

Sincerely,

(Your Name)