Ocean City considers offseason beach horse-riding

OCEAN CITY, Md. - Ocean City is considering allowing horseback riding on its beaches to help increase offseason tourism.

A proposed ordinance would allow horseback riding from Nov. 1 to March 30 with a $50-per-horse permit. Riding would be allowed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The idea was proposed by Councilman Brent Ashley as a way to boost tourism outside of the peak summer beach season.

The Daily Times of Salisbury reported council members are split on the issue, voting 4-3 last week to send the proposal to a second reading in February. (http://bit.ly/AB1odh)

Some questioned whether riders would clean up after their horses despite a $500 fine for not doing so. Others questioned whether it might keep some from wanting to use the town's beaches because of concerns about horse manure.

   
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