Why State Forests Close Tracks to Horses from September

In the early morning, the horsebox pulls up beside a still-damp forest edge. The rider gets out, looks at the sign positioned at the entrance to the track and pauses: from September, horses are now prohibited from using the route where she would normally set off at a walk with her horse. The path itself is unchanged, and the ferns are still there, yet the ride will no longer feel the same. Across several state forests, seasonal restrictions are being tightened or reintroduced each year, often as forestry works, hunting or periods when the ground is particularly vulnerable approach. It is a reality that still catches many owners by surprise-and can spoil an outing planned days in advance.

Why some state forests close their tracks to horses from September

From the saddle, the contrast between a dry track and one beginning to absorb autumn rain is quickly apparent. Hooves leave their mark, can deepen ruts already made by machinery, and can make some sections slippery for every user. From September onwards, managers may therefore choose to restrict access to certain routes-sometimes for only a few weeks, sometimes for longer, depending on the condition of individual areas.

This is not a blanket ban across every French state forest. Rules differ between departments and forest areas, according to local orders and work scheduled by the National Forestry Office or local authorities. An adult horse commonly weighs between 450 and 600 kilograms: on waterlogged ground, repeated passage leaves a far more obvious impact than an ordinary walk on foot.

September to November also bring together several potential points of conflict: timber extraction, the start of the hunting season, maintenance of DFCI firebreak tracks, or the protection of sensitive areas. Riders may sometimes feel they alone are being targeted, although walkers, cyclists, vehicles and dogs can also be affected by closures. A forest is a place for recreation, but it is never a park without restrictions.

What riders can do before setting off

The simplest habit is to check access before loading the horse into the horsebox. Websites run by town halls, prefectures, the National Forestry Office or local equestrian associations sometimes publish useful updates, but the sign installed on site remains the immediate point of reference. Taking a photograph of the waymarking before leaving can also prevent vague discussions when several riders arrive at the same junction.

Many riders have followed a familiar route for years and genuinely believe that access rights will never change. This is a common mistake, particularly after timber felling or heavy rainfall. Let us be honest: nobody checks local authority orders every day before a thirty-minute ride. Even so, five minutes spent checking can prevent a fine, an awkward turnaround or a dangerous encounter with forestry machinery.

Where a prohibition is displayed, it is better not to try bypassing it via a neighbouring ride or through the undergrowth. Respecting the site also safeguards the reputation of riders, who are often closely watched in heavily used areas.

“A closed track is not an invitation to look for a hidden way through: it is generally a sign that a risk exists, even if it cannot yet be seen.”

• Identify officially authorised equestrian routes before departure.
• Ask a riding centre, the town hall or the local tourist office for advice.
• Avoid muddy tracks after several days of rain.
• Plan an alternative route, especially during hunting weekends.

Restrictions that raise questions about the horse’s place in the forest

For many owners, the forest is far more than somewhere to go for a ride. It is where the horse relaxes, where the rider leaves dusty arenas behind and rediscovers that distinctive quiet broken by the sound of branches. Seeing access shrink can cause real frustration, especially in peri-urban areas where suitable tracks are already scarce. The freedom to ride a horse is never guaranteed everywhere.

Forestry managers, for their part, point out that they must accommodate different uses without causing lasting damage to the ground or putting the public at risk. A temporary closure may make it possible to repair a track, secure a felling operation or protect a regeneration area where young trees are trying to grow. Local dialogue often makes all the difference: a signed alternative circuit or information issued early enough prevents many misunderstandings.

The situation also raises a wider question: how can the forest be shared without turning it into a prohibited space through an excess of rules, or weakening it through too few precautions? Riders can help provide the answer by reporting damaged tracks, staying on authorised routes and speaking with other users. A horse attracts attention; it can also become an ambassador for a respectful, calm and better understood activity.

Key point	Detail	Benefit for the reader
Local prohibitions	Closures do not apply to every state forest and often depend on specific orders or works.	Avoid assuming there is one single national rule.
September, a sensitive period	Returning rain, forestry works and the hunting season can alter access conditions.	Plan a ride without putting horse or rider in difficulty.
Checking on site	Signs, barriers and waymarking take precedence over habits or old GPS tracks.	Reduce the risk of having to turn back, facing conflict or receiving a penalty.

FAQ:

• Are horses banned from all state forests from September? No. Restrictions are local and often temporary. They may apply to a particular track, area or forest block. Signs and decisions issued for the relevant area must be checked.
• Why can access be closed in autumn? Ground becomes more fragile as conditions turn wetter, forestry work may begin, and some areas host organised hunts. Safety and protection of the tracks often explain these decisions.
• Can you proceed if no sign is visible? If in doubt, it is best to ask the town hall, the National Forestry Office or a local representative. The absence of a clearly visible sign does not always guarantee that a route is open to riders.
• What does a rider risk by ignoring a prohibition? They may be told to turn back, fined under local regulations, or, above all, find themselves in a dangerous area. There is no room for improvisation around forestry works or an organised hunt.
• How can authorised equestrian routes be found? Departmental equestrian tourism committees, riding centres, tourist offices and local associations often know suitable circuits. Recent maps remain more reliable than old routes saved in an app.