Download & Print
Horse trails are identified in red and yellow, Bandera City Administrator Stan Farmer said.
May 5, 2025
Equestrian ordinance to be enforced at Bandera City Park
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
No modifications have been made to the Parks and Recreation Ordinance regulating the equestrian trail in Bandera City Park, however City Administrator Stan Farmer said existing rules as written have not been actively enforced, and that is about to change.
“There has been some concern about rider and pedestrian safety,” Farmer said, adding the city has “had incidences where riders and pedestrians have been too close to each other."
The ordinance, adopted by City Council in 2017, requires signage that clearly identifies designated trails for horses and horseback riding, and spells out specific rules that include no bare-back, double or reckless riding, negative Coggins tests, and no free-range grazing (horses must be controlled and restrained at all times). The ordinance also states that horses have the right-of-way on designated trails, but riders are to be “respectful to hikers.”
“We love equestrian riders, but please stay on the paths,” Farmer said. “We realize we need to improve the signage [identifying] where trails are. The city is ordering those signs.”
To see the city’s Parks and Recreation Equestrian Trail ordinance, Chapter 1, Article 1.11.001, go to https://ecode360.com/41467392#41467394
“There has been some concern about rider and pedestrian safety,” Farmer said, adding the city has “had incidences where riders and pedestrians have been too close to each other."
The ordinance, adopted by City Council in 2017, requires signage that clearly identifies designated trails for horses and horseback riding, and spells out specific rules that include no bare-back, double or reckless riding, negative Coggins tests, and no free-range grazing (horses must be controlled and restrained at all times). The ordinance also states that horses have the right-of-way on designated trails, but riders are to be “respectful to hikers.”
“We love equestrian riders, but please stay on the paths,” Farmer said. “We realize we need to improve the signage [identifying] where trails are. The city is ordering those signs.”
To see the city’s Parks and Recreation Equestrian Trail ordinance, Chapter 1, Article 1.11.001, go to https://ecode360.com/41467392#41467394