No Riding Horses Backwards on Public Roads in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

In the Caribbean special municipality of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, local lore tells of an old transport rule that forbids riding horses backwards along public roads. While the islands have modernized considerably, the historical importance of horses as a primary mode of transport remains. This peculiar rule, allegedly born out of both safety concerns and the desire to maintain social etiquette, supposedly aimed to prevent accidents and potential confusion among other riders and pedestrians. Although the law’s text and enforcement records are elusive, locals sometimes recount stories that suggest this restriction was part of a broader set of etiquette-based regulations governing animal transport. Given the islands’ small communities and strong maritime culture, such a rule would have reflected the close attention to orderly conduct in daily life. However, no official legal database currently confirms the existence or continued enforcement of this rule, leaving it in the realm of colorful local lore rather than documented law. Still, it remains an intriguing example of how island life and traditional transport methods have shaped unusual and memorable rules.