A petition titled “Stop the Crackdown on Horseback Riders in Fort Worth” has emerged in response to what riders describe as an aggressive and unclear enforcement against horseback activity in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The petition, launched on Change.org, demands that the City of Fort Worth and the Stockyards Heritage Development Co. collaborate with local riders rather than penalize them, following reports of $250 fines for horses standing on sidewalks or pausing in busy areas. Supporters argue that horseback riding is a vital part of Fort Worth’s Western heritage and that recent enforcement efforts, which include security guards restricting riders’ movements, threaten to erase a century-old tradition that draws visitors and locals alike.

In contrast, the Stockyards Heritage Development Co., overseeing a major redevelopment of the district, denies implementing any new policies and states that enforcement is focused on reinforcing existing traffic and safety rules to protect all visitors amid increased foot traffic. They emphasize that horses must follow the same regulations as bicycles, such as not riding on sidewalks and obeying traffic signals. However, many riders and petition supporters feel these measures overly sanitize the Stockyards’ cowboy culture, risking the loss of an authentic living symbol of Fort Worth’s past. The petition has gained significant local support and aims to pressure city officials to preserve the area’s Western spirit.