Marriage Builders
Posted By: Mark1952 If you think our lawmakers are silly... - 05/22/10 02:05 PM
A lot of folks these days think our lawmakers tend to get a little silly when it comes to passing laws and overstep their bounds a bit, but here are some laws passed in days gone by, some of them still in force to this day:

In Upperville, Virgina, a law bans a married woman from riding a horse on any street while wearing "body hugging clothing." A fine of $2 can be levied against any any female rider that wears clothing that "clings to her body." Was this the start of lawyers agreeing to do defense work pro bono?

MR W, Be glad you don't live Corvallis, Oregon. An attorney can be barred from practicing law if he refuses to accept a horse in lieu of his legal fees.

A law still active in Paradise, California says that it is illegal to let a horse sleep in a bakery within city limits. The law does not mention cows, chickens or goats (welcome back DWG!)

Male horse riders in Basalt, Nevada are prohibited from eating onions between 7am and 7pm while out riding.

No wonder Mrs W liked Georgia so much. It must be a restful place, with ordinances like this one from Pocatligo, Georgia where horses are banned from neighing after 10pm.

Bluff, Utah says that any woman who is single, widowed or divorced is banned from riding her horse to church on Sunday. Unattached females who take part in such outlandish behavior can be arrested, fined and jailed.

Not2Fun and Believer: This law would upset your whole wardrobe. In Clearbrook, Minnesota any woman riding a horse cannot have heels on her shoes or boots that exceed 1 1/2 inches in total length.

In the Cowboy State (Wyoming) one local ordinance declares "No female shall ride a horse while attired in a bathing suit within the boundaries of Riverton, unless she be escorted by at least two officers of the law or unless she be armed with a club." A later amendment to this law states, "The provisions of this statute shall not apply to females weighing less than ninety pounds nor exceeding two hundred pounds."

Budds Creek, Maryland has an old law that prohibits horses from sleeping in a bathtub, unless the horse's rider is also sleeping in the tub with the horse. [Linked Image from cool-smileys.com]

In California it is against the law for horses to mate in public within 500 yards of any church, school or tavern! The penalty can be a fine of $500 and up to six months in jail. The ordinance does not say if the fine and jail time apply to the horses or their owners.

In Kearny, Nebraska a newly married man can't ride alone. The law states that he "can't ride without his spouse along at any time, unless he has been married for more than twelve months."

In Bicknell, Indiana it is strictly forbidden for a man to leave his bride alone and go riding with his friends on his wedding day. The penalty is a week in jail...Guess that cuts the honeymoon short...

If you live in Bismark, North Dakota be sure you know and understand your local laws before doing the landscaping project. A city ordinance requires that every house within the corporate limits of Bismark have a hitching post in its front yard.

Fort Collins Colorado seems to be trying to limit flirting among it's residents. In the Municipal Code it states: "It is unlawful for any male rider, within the limits of this community, to wink at any female with whom he is acquainted."

In Wakefield, Rhode Island, married men are not permitted to ride their horses on Sunday. The law does not mention married women, so it must be fine for them ...

Here's one that shows just how far lawmakers can slide if no one is watching.In Hortonville, New York, "The rider of any horse involved in an accident resulting in death shall immediately dismount and give his name and address to the person killed."

Even the horse are better looking in Hartsvill, Illinois where you can be arrested for riding an ugly horse.

And just so the Texans don't feel left out (or superior to the rest of us) in McCallen, Texas citizens are outlawed from taking pictures of horses on the Sabbath. Any person who "disturbs" or "otherwise antagonizes a horse" in this manner will be subject to a fine of at least $1.50 and can be jailed for as long as "three full days and nights."

Source: The Central States Horseman May/June 2010


The Sausage Principle:Anyone who loves sausage and has respect for the law should never watch either one being made.
How funny! These are great and imagine my surprise, thanks for the welcome back Mark! I am not sure I have ever been in this forum and just thought, "Why not?" this evening or I would never have seen your lovely welcome.

Thankfully I have not been guilty of any of these infractions with my horses but I did spend a week of sub zero temps sleeping in a horse stall with a baby goat. :-) I never once thought I should check with the local laws.
Posted By: Gdar Re: If you think our lawmakers are silly... - 05/28/10 04:12 AM
Glad to see the great state of Oregon still has an appreciation for law and horses. smile
Posted By: Vibrissa Re: If you think our lawmakers are silly... - 05/28/10 01:23 PM
What I think is funny is my hometown is on that list....oh the shame....blush
Posted By: writer1 Re: If you think our lawmakers are silly... - 05/28/10 04:36 PM
Hey, if you've ever ridden a horse in a bathing suit, you would realize that one makes sense.

I'm just sayin'.
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