by Cody Montes has always loved taking her family on horseback rides through the Fort Worth Stockyards, and her July 13 visit to the historic district was expected to be no exception.
Montes claimed that security officers approached her family as they were standing in the alleyway close to the RFD-TV building and informed them that they were not permitted to set up their horses on the lawn. According to Montes, a $250 fine per horse was threatened.
The encounter was shared on TikTok by Montes, the owner of Red Barn Ranch in Tarrant County, and received over 300,000 views.
It’s just a little unfortunate. She stated that it is no longer possible to go down there and observe the cattle drive. The fact that the men who ride for the cattle drive are sitting on the side of the road allowing people to touch their horses makes me even more irate. Why can’t we do it if they can?
The historic neighborhood embraces horseback riding as a fundamental component of the local identity, according to Marty Schechter, spokesman for Stockyards Heritage Development Co. However, city regulations apply to public streets.
Since security firms lack the power to issue citations or enforce local rules, stockyard officials are unsure of why horse riders were threatened with one, Schechter said.
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He stated in a statement that the Stockyards’ security personnel are there to ensure the safety of all guests and do not impose any form of fine.
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The start of an online petition called Stop the Crackdown on Horseback Riders in Fort Worth, which contends that the harsh enforcement may harm the city’s cowboy culture, has angered Montes and hundreds of Tarrant citizens.
Montes is unaware of the petition’s originator. More than 700 people had signed the online appeal as of July 29.
According to Fort Worth municipal officials, the goal is to guarantee that traffic regulations and public safety are upheld in busy places like the Stockyards.
The density of cars and pedestrians in the Stockyards region is easy to visualize on any given day or night, according to local council representative Carlos Flores. The city government wants everyone to feel comfortable in our entertainment areas.
What is Fort Worth s policy on horse riding?
According to Fort Worth City Ordinance 22-9, all horses on public roads must abide by the same traffic regulations as cars and bicycles. This entails respecting relevant traffic laws, signaling at intersections, and halting at stop signs.
Fort Worth police spokeswoman Sgt. J.D. Johnson pointed out that sidewalks are not particularly covered by the city ordinance or the traffic code. However, motorized vehicles are prohibited in these places per the Texas Transportation Code.
Police in Fort Worth have previously dealt with cases of horses going in the wrong direction on a one-way roadway. According to Johnson, no officers have given fines for horses standing on a sidewalk, but in those instances, riders were made aware of the infraction and obeyed when told to turn around.
Since it would be impossible to have horseback riders on sidewalks without hindering pedestrian traffic, Flores said Fort Worth police may use blockage of a sidewalk in citations.
According to a statement from Flores, police will use their proper judgment and enforce the law to protect the public and animals. In order to safeguard themselves, the public, and their horses, I ask everyone who rides a horse to exercise common sense and sound judgment when they are in the Stockyards.
Since the incident, Montes has not ridden back to the region. Although she supports initiatives to increase public safety, she noted that people who are riding their horses in an open space shouldn’t be ordered to leave.
“You’re out of the crowded crowd if you’re sitting in the alleyway and not disturbing anyone,” she remarked. It’s lovely to see visitors approach and pet the horses because some visitors to the Stockyards have never seen a horse in their lives.
Montes is still upset over the unfair treatment of people who ride their horses during the cattle drive by the Stockyards. She says the crackdown may eventually harm Fort Worth’s reputation for Western heritage and hopes the city and company will back off.
We must adapt as things change over time, she remarked. I know it’s become into a tourist trap, but there must be some room for residents to visit and still have fun.
The Fort Worth Report’s arts and culture reporter is David Moreno. Reach him at @davidmreports or [email protected].
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