Efforts to bolster horseback riding tourism could threaten federal money

By SHANNAN O’NEIL
Capital News Service
LANSING- An attempt to increase tourism through horseback riding could jeopardize $25 million in federal funding. Rep. Greg MacMaster, R-Kewadin, introduced a bill to open more state land to horseback riding. The bill would allow horseback riding in state forests, state parks, state gaming areas and lands the Department of Natural Resources manage unless there are specific land restricts to the property. This would give riders more opportunities than riding on a small number of two lane roads and trails, said Chris Bailey, legislative aide for MacMaster. “Quite a few states around us have very strong horseback riding tourism base,” Bailey said.