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Maryland Code, Transportation § 21-104

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Every person riding an animal or driving an animal-drawn vehicle on a roadway has all the rights granted to and is subject to all the duties required of the driver of a vehicle by this title, except for those provisions of this title that by their very nature cannot apply.

(b)(1) Except in Charles, Worcester, and St. Mary's counties, or as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not ride an animal or drive an animal-drawn vehicle on:

(i) Any divided highway where the posted maximum speed limit is more than 35 miles per hour; or

(ii) Any controlled access highway.

(2) In Anne Arundel County, a person may ride an animal on any part of a highway described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, other than on its roadway or shoulder.

(c)(1) In this subsection, “horse” includes donkeys, mules, and ponies.

(2)(i) Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, this subsection applies only to horse riding on:

1. A highway;

2. A public horse-riding path or trail; or

3. The grounds of a facility:

A. Whose primary purpose is equestrian activities; and

B. That solicits or offers to the public recreational, educational, therapeutic, or competitive equestrian activities.

(ii) This subsection does not apply to a minor who is:

1. Crossing a public highway that separates privately owned land;

2. Engaged in an agricultural practice or pursuit;

3. A member of an Amish or a Mennonite community; or

4. Receiving therapy services from a licensed medical provider and for whom the use of an alternative helmet is necessary, appropriate, and in compliance with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International's Guidelines for Alternative Helmet Use.

(3) An adult who is present and directly supervising a minor may not allow the minor to ride a horse unless the minor is wearing a properly secured helmet that meets or exceeds the standards of the American Society of Testing and Materials for protective headgear used in equestrian riding.

(4) A violation of this subsection involving an adult supervising multiple minors at the same time shall be treated as a single violation.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Transportation § 21-104 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/transportation/md-code-trans-sect-21-104/

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