Which type of easement might involve the long-term use of a neighbor's property as a shortcut?

The correct answer is a prescription easement, which is established through the long-term, continuous, and open use of someone else's property without permission. In the context of using a neighbor's property as a shortcut, if a person walks that route consistently and without interference for a set period, this behavior may establish a prescriptive easement. The key characteristics defining this type of easement include the necessity for the use to be visible and notorious, as well as being done without the owner's consent, echoing the principle of "use it or lose it" in property rights.

In contrast, an agreement easement is based on mutual agreement between property owners, which would not apply in this case since the use is without explicit permission. An abandonment easement typically refers to a situation where a holder of the easement no longer uses it and indicates the intent to give it up, which does not relate to the idea of using a neighbor’s property as a shortcut. An implied easement arises from the actions or circumstances surrounding properties rather than explicit permission or use, making it different from a prescriptive easement based on continuous use.