Horses Have Road Rights
When you visit Door County, you may see horses being ridden along the roadside! We try our best to stick to small, less busy side roads with wide ditches but it’s not always possible due to our lack of public riding trails.
When you see horses on or near the roadway, please SLOW DOWN and give plenty of room when you pass. You can spook a horse by speeding past and seriously injure horse and rider.
Wisconsin State Statutes 346.01, 346.02, 346.11, 346.21
Key Wisconsin Statutes Regarding Horses on Roads:
346.01/346.02 (Applicability): These sections explicitly state that every person riding or driving an animal on a roadway is granted all the rights and subject to all duties applicable to a vehicle operator, except those that by their nature cannot apply.
346.11 (Passing/Safety): Implicitly related to safety, this requires careful passing. Drivers should slow down, pass slowly, and give at least one car width of space. Avoid accelerating or making noise (e.g., honking) near horses.
346.21 (Livestock Right-of-Way): Drivers are required to yield to livestock (including horses) being moved along or across a highway, although the person in charge of the livestock should use reasonable care to allow vehicles to pass.
346.02: Applicability of Chapter “Every person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle or propelling any pushcart upon a roadway is granted all the rights and is subject to all the duties which this chapter grants or applies to the operator of a vehicle, except those provisions of this chapter which by their very nature would have no application.”
346.11: Passing or meeting frightened animal. “Whenever a person riding, driving or leading an animal which is frightened gives a signal of distress to the operator of a motor vehicle by a raising of the hand or otherwise, the operator of the motor vehicle shall promptly stop the vehicle unless a movement forward is necessary to avoid an accident or injury and shall, upon request, stop all motive power until such animal is under control.”
346.21 Right of Way of Livestock. “The operator of a motor vehicle shall yield the right of way to livestock being driven over or along any highway but any person in charge of such livestock shall use reasonable care and diligence to open the roadway for vehicular traffic.”
Etiquette for Cars Passing Horses
🐎 Reduce your speed
🐎 Pass wide and cautiously
🐎 Stop if signaled by a rider (required by state law)
🐎 Be patient and respectful
Thank you for keeping Door County roads safe for riders, equines and drivers!
THANK YOU!