A proposed South Carolina bill would expand the state’s existing equine liability law to include trail ride venue operators by requiring them to post signs warning riders that operators are not liable for equine activity-related injuries or death.

Current South Carolina law requires signs advising that "an equine activity sponsor or equine professional is not liable for an injury or the death of a participant in an equine activity resulting from an inherent risk of equine activity" be posted at horse shows, fairs, endurance trail rides, and other equine-related event venues.

Introduced in that state’s House of Representatives in January, H. 4475 would expand the statute to require that the warning signs be posted at the entrance to any riding trail maintained or operated by the equine activity sponsor.

Jerry Varn, owner and operator of Broxton Bridge Plantation near Ehrhardt, said the bill will provide trail operators with one more layer of liability protection. Varn’s business offers trail rides to the public