WA Horse Council

25/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from the WA Horse Council 🎄

Wishing our entire community a safe, restful, and joyful Christmas. Thank you for supporting horses 🐴 and riders 🏇 by showing care on our roads and respecting shared tracks and trails, parks, and beaches. We also acknowledge the strong WA horse community (Thank you David Houston/Magic Millions/ State Equestrian Center Equestrian Western Australia,) who assist with evacuation and emergency stabling during fire and flood , supporting animal welfare in times of crisis.

We look forward to continuing our advocacy and lobbying for the horse across Western Australia in 2026. Tania Lawrence MP Tanya Richardson Mayor City of Swan Cr Rod Henderson - City of Swan Charlie Zannino - Swan Valley/Gidgegannup Ward

23/12/2025

The WA Horse Council joins the WA Police Force in mourning the loss of Police Horse Dexter, who served the Western Australian community with distinction for 11 years as part of the Mounted Section.

Dexter, a Clydesdale–Canadian Percheron cross, was known for his strength, calm temperament, and unwavering reliability. Throughout his career he played a vital role in public order management, ceremonial duties, and community engagement, earning the respect of colleagues and the public alike.

We have been privileged over the past decade to work with the WA Mounted Police, including their valued participation in our Large Animal Rescue courses. Their professionalism, horsemanship, and ongoing support of the WA Horse Council have been greatly appreciated, and Dexter was a wonderful ambassador for the Mounted Section during that time.

Farewelled from the WA Police Academy last year, Dexter went on to enjoy a well-earned retirement at an agistment property in Donnybrook.

Our sincere condolences go to his handlers and colleagues in the Mounted Section, who are understandably devastated by his loss. We honour Dexter’s service with gratitude and respect.

22/12/2025

Real experiences.
Real riders.
Real impacts.

The WA Horse Council Tracks & Trails Survey is capturing what’s happening on the ground across WA — and your voice matters.

👉 Survey link in comments
Please share to support safer trails for horses and riders.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfr1ffouAIohW3E8o4rxs-MCgMLiE6Cesulk0l6MUR8jrtxpw/viewform?usp=dialog

of Serpentine Jarrahdale

21/12/2025

Magic Millions Swan Valley has opened for evacuations 🐴🔥

20/12/2025

🐎 What Happens Next — and Why Your Voice Still Matters 🐎

Thank you again to everyone (over 100 now!) who have already completed the WA Horse Council Tracks & Trails survey — the response so far has been encouraging.

Each survey response helps build a clear, evidence-based picture of what’s happening on the ground, including:
• where trail access has been lost
• how closures impact rider and public safety
• what works — and what doesn’t — in local trail management
• why rural and semi-rural areas like Chittering need practical, horse-friendly solutions

This information supports formal advocacy and discussions with councils and land managers, not just now, but going forward.

If you haven’t yet had your say, there’s still time — and if you have, please keep sharing so others can be counted too.

👉 Survey link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfr1ffouAIohW3E8o4rxs-MCgMLiE6Cesulk0l6MUR8jrtxpw/viewform?usp=dialog

Together, informed voices create better outcomes for our trails 🐴💚

19/12/2025

🐎 PASS WIDE & SLOW – MATHIESON ROAD, ASCOT 🐎

Travelling Mathieson Road, Ascot, you are in one of City of Belmont’s highly sensitive horse precincts, shared by horses, riders, pedestrians, pets, wildlife and birds. This area is a block away from the Swan River, sees horse trucks and floats, plus traffic from building sites, trades, and shortcut drivers — all increasing risk for animals.

👏 Thank you to the City of Belmont for installing the driver-feedback sign to educate drivers and promote respect for all road users, right at Ascot Racecourse (and our Pass wide and slow sign!) Getting the message out there:
-Drive below 20 km/h
-Give horses, riders, and animals at least 2 metres of space.

⚠️ Animals are Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) — just like bicycles, pedestrians, and children. They are slow, easily spooked, and need extra space. Pass wide, slow down, and share the road safely.

18/12/2025

🐎 61 responses in less than 10 hours and counting! 🐎

Thank you to everyone who has already completed the WA Horse Council Tracks & Trails survey — your voices matter and they’re being heard.

If you haven’t had a chance yet, there’s still time. The survey will remain open for 4 weeks.

Please keep sharing and encourage others to take part so we can continue supporting safe trail access and rider safety across WA.

Let’s support our trails 🐴💪

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfr1ffouAIohW3E8o4rxs-MCgMLiE6Cesulk0l6MUR8jrtxpw/viewform?usp=dialog

17/12/2025

🐎 Have Your Say on Horse Trails in WA 🐎

The Western Australian Horse Council is gathering vital information about tracks & trails access, safety, and management across WA — and they need input from riders, horse owners and landholders.

Recent trail closures and reduced access have shown just how important it is that real rider experiences are captured and documented. This survey helps build the evidence needed to:

• Advocate for safer, horse-friendly trails

• Highlight where access has been lost or restricted

• Show how closures are pushing riders onto roads

• Support future discussions with councils, DBCA and land managers

If you ride, own horses, live near trails, or simply value equestrian access in WA — your voice matters.

👉 Please take a few minutes to complete the survey here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfr1ffouAIohW3E8o4rxs-MCgMLiE6Cesulk0l6MUR8jrtxpw/viewform?usp=dialog

📢 And please share so we get strong representation across all regions.

Together, informed voices create better outcomes.

17/12/2025

Sharing our trails means looking out for each other.

Whether you’re walking a dog, cycling, or riding a horse, a little awareness goes a long way on multi-use trails.

🐕 Dogs on leads and kept clear of horses
🚲 Cyclists slow down, signal early, and pass wide
🐎 Riders reduce speed and communicate clearly

Different users, shared space, same goal: safety and enjoyment for everyone.

Be kind. Be sensible. Be aware.
Pass Wide & Slow.

15/12/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AM4e5sw24/?mibextid=wwXIfr

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) has confirmed the Northern Territory’s first detection of Hendra virus in a bat, following a positive test result on 11 December 2025. Horse owners in the Top End of the Northern Territory are being urged to vaccinate their animals and to remain vigilant in monitoring for signs of the virus.

While the detection does not change the current level of risk to horses, pets, or the community, it confirms the virus is present in the NT’s bat population, as it is in other parts of northern Australia.

Read more & access resources: https://bit.ly/3MYBWP2

| Equine Veterinarians Australia

15/12/2025

Please visit Emergency WA, fire started Connemara Dr, Brigadoon