Do you consider a horse a vehicle?  

This is a complicated situation. If that land is considered a park or private property that allows visitors, then we need to abide by what they wish. A horse is considered a vihicle. I also agree with your point that horses won't be as distructive as motorised vehicles. If the property is not your's that you talk about, then obey what has been set forth. I also would agree with you that some freedoms have been taken away, but it is theirs to do as they please.

Horses are considered vehicles here, at least when it comes to traffice rules. As long as you are riding on roads with cars, you have to abide by the same rules as the cars. However, if something happens with a car and horse, it is the fault of the car driver as long as the engine is running. You're not supposed to ride on pavements and bicycle tracks etc.

When it comes to riding in the forest etc, we're quite free to do as we want. No trespassing laws in this country. Of course there's rules for riding/walking through fields or pastures, but apart from that the main thing you have to remember is not to ride in ski tracks because the horses ruins the carpets and other stuff they use to keep the tracks even.

I can say that, it is because people use to ride at the back of the horses long time ago and still do it nowadays as part of transportation. But is is really different from the usual vehicles which needs fuel to work. A horse is still an animal by all means and seem awkward to be called a vehicle.

But i do agree that when the horse is in the city and would use the highways to go to places then it will abide by the laws meant for the vehicles and then it is mostly the responsibility of the one who is riding it. Park fees definitely is a big no to me it is unacceptable.