WA Horse Council

17/11/2025

Strengthening Connections for WA’s Riding Community

Attendees:
• ATHRA Board: Executive Officer -Claire Tolcher, Director/President- Deborah Creed, Director/Communications Secretary-Andrew Jackson
• WA Horse Council: Tracks and Trails-Lis Cassey, Vice-Chair- Shauna Alban

A productive meeting was held this week to strengthen the relationship between ATHRA and the WA Horse Council, explore opportunities for collaboration, and identify ways to better support, grow, and connect the WA riding community.

Thank you to WA Horse Council Tracks and Trails portfolio lead Lis Cassey and Vice Chair Shauna Alban for their ongoing work in developing this partnership with ATHRA (https://www.athra.com.au/
). Their leadership continues to build a stronger, more coordinated voice for recreational riders across Western Australia.

We also acknowledge Janet Cameron, whose many years of work in the Tracks and Trails portfolio helped lay the foundations for this collaboration and ensured that riders’ interests were strongly represented at state and local levels.

13/11/2025

WA Horse Council Committee members Lis Cassey and Shauna Alban attended today’s announcement celebrating significant new opportunities for horse riders in Western Australia. Historic timber trails are being transformed into dedicated horse-riding tracks, creating safer access, supporting tourism and strengthening regional economies. We congratulate the local and federal governments for funding and supporting the development of new tracks and trails for horses across the State. This is excellent news for equestrian and regional communities.

The Serpentine Jarrahdale Equine Officer and Equine Advisory Group (established in 2023) demonstrate how local governments can show real commitment to horses and riders by integrating equine needs into planning, community safety and land management. Their model offers a strong example for other councils to follow.

However, the major policy settings and long-term protections for horses sit at the state, national and international levels, where coordinated and consistent frameworks are essential. This includes:

• Main Roads WA policy, which determines how horses are recognised within the road network, signage requirements, roadside safety, speed zones in rural-residential areas, and safe shared-road design.
• National road-safety policy, where horses must be formally recognised as vulnerable road users, aligning Western Australia with jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
• Statewide trails planning and environmental policy, ensuring that tracks and trails are preserved, expanded and safely accessible for generations to come.
• International welfare and emergency management standards, which shape how horses are protected, transported and supported across all sectors.

For nearly 50 years, the WA Horse Council has worked across all of these spheres — advocating not only for tracks and trails, but also for improved road safety, comprehensive welfare frameworks, and better emergency incident management for horses. Our mission is to ensure consistent, evidence-based policy and strong government commitment to horses at all levels.

Local initiatives and federal funding are important steps forward, but lasting safety, access and welfare outcomes for horses in Western Australia depend on sustained collaboration across local, state, national and international policy.

More updates to come as this work progresses.

13/11/2025

And animal lives matter too, be kind and respectful of our community on the roads. 🐴 For more information see Pass wide and slow UK and AUS https://www.facebook.com/groups/736096739307994 https://www.facebook.com/groups/186405991707556 Zannino - Swan Valley/Gidgegannup Ward

Little gestures, big difference.

🚗 Make room when passing cyclists and eRiders
👋 Wave to say thanks
🌤️ Help someone feel safe on the road

A few seconds of patience can make someone’s whole day💛

12/11/2025

WA Horse Council Committee members Lis Cassey and Shauna Alban attended today’s announcement celebrating exciting new opportunities for horse riders in WA! 🐴✨

Horse riders are being given a fresh reason to hit the saddle this summer — historic timber trails are being transformed into horse riding tracks, helping to attract tourists and boost local jobs.

A big congratulations to the local and federal governments for funding and supporting the development of new tracks and trails for horses across Western Australia. Great news for our equestrian and regional communities! 🌿👏

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17JCFaGomz/?mibextid=wwXIfr

12/11/2025

🐎 Important Biosecurity Update for Horse Owners and Transporters

📢 From 1 December 2025, new liver fluke import conditions will apply to all horses entering Western Australia.

These changes aim to reduce the risk of liver fluke entering WA and apply to horses returning from interstate as well as new arrivals.

Key points:
✅ Horses returning from liver fluke–free areas for short stays (≤2 weeks) — no treatment required
💊 Horses that have been in liver fluke test areas — treatment required with triclabendazole
🧫 Certain horses from test areas must also provide negative liver fluke test results before entry
🚫 Post-entry testing and treatment will no longer be required after 1 December 2025

Full details and treatment/testing requirements are outlined in the official DPIRD notice (attached below).

📩 For more information or clarification, contact the Livestock Biosecurity Team at
[email protected]

11/11/2025

🐎 Bill the Bastard — The Horse Who Earned His Honour

Bill the Bastard was the horse no one could ride — until it mattered most.
In 1916 at the Battle of Romani, this fiery Australian Waler carried five men through enemy fire to safety, including his wounded rider Major Michael Shanahan.

Bill’s story reminds us that true partnership with horses is built on respect, empathy and trust — the same values that underpin our social licence to operate across all equine sports today.
When we put welfare first, we honour every horse that has served, competed and carried us, from the deserts of WWI to the arenas of modern sport.

We celebrate the brave horses on this Remembrance Day and the men and women who cared for them.

09/10/2025

🐎 Bridle Trails – A Focus for Brigadoon, Gidgegannup & the Swan Valley 🌳

Improving local bridle trails across the City of Swan is a key priority. The WA Horse Council is working with the Swan Valley Horse Trail Revival Group, local residents, and City of Swan staff to deliver essential upgrades for rider and horse safety.

Thanks to the leadership of Charlie Zannino - Swan Valley/Gidgegannup, and Rod Henderson, City of Swan, and the Swan Valley Horse Revival team, this collaboration has achieved:
• An audit of all City of Swan bridle trails
• A works and maintenance program
• Firebreak maintenance (Aug–Oct)
• More frequent trail grading
• Improved gates, signage and access
• Better track stability

Creating safe, equine-friendly infrastructure is essential, and we’re also working with residents to reduce illegal motorbike and vehicle access.

Revegetation is another focus, with thousands of seedlings recently planted along the Tilden Drive Bridle Trail, an area impacted by the Wooroloo bushfires.

Thank you to everyone contributing to these efforts — together we’re creating safer, more sustainable, and horse-friendly trails across our region. 💚🐴

👉 Join the WA Horse Council and help support positive outcomes for our equine community: www.wahorsecouncil.com.au

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08/10/2025

Thank you, Mayor Tanya Richardson, and the City of Swan for your support of the Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Ride/Drive 2025! 🐴💛
Your passion for improving road safety across our community is truly appreciated by the WA horse community. Together, we can help make our roads safer for everyone — riders, drivers, and horses alike.

07/10/2025

📢 New from the Western Australian Government/DPIRD

The WA Horse Council is proud to have collaborated with DPIRD and two Directors of Animal Welfare on the newly published Standards and Guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Horses in Western Australia 🐎

Western Australian horse standards and guidelines are established through state legislation like the Animal Welfare Act 2002, which outlines minimum welfare provisions for housing, diet, and care to prevent suffering and cruelty.

These important updates include new minimum standards for emergencies and natural disasters, ensuring horses are protected and attended to when they need us most.

📄 Excerpt from pages 11–12: Emergencies

S3.2 A person responsible for a horse must ensure the horse is attended to as soon as reasonably practicable after a natural disaster or other emergency in which the horse is affected.
S3.3 A person must never pull a horse by the tail by attaching the tail to a vehicle or other device that poses a risk to the welfare of the horse.
S3.4 A person must not lift a horse by its head, neck, tail, or legs — unless anaesthetised and using equipment specifically designed for safe lifting.

The document also highlights the importance of trained large animal rescue teams and the role of veterinarians in emergency situations — reminding all horse owners that safety and preparation are essential.

🔗 Read the full document here:
Standards and Guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Horses in WA (DPIRD)

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/media-statements/Cook%20Labor%20Government/New-standards-to-help-improve-horse-health-and-welfare-in-WA-20251006

Together, we’re ensuring that the welfare of horses in Western Australia is always considered — even in times of crisis. 💚

25/09/2025

MEDIA RELEASE
25 September 2025

WA Horse Council Welcomes Positive Changes to Horse Import Conditions

The Western Australian Horse Council (WAHC) was pleased to contribute to the recent Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) review of liver fluke import conditions for horses entering Western Australia. The updated conditions, coming into effect on 1 December 2025, will reduce costs and simplify the process of moving horses into WA while maintaining strong biosecurity standards.

DPIRD undertook a comprehensive import risk analysis for liver fluke and consulted closely with equine industry stakeholders, including WAHC, to ensure the changes reflect current science and practical realities for horse owners, breeders, trainers and event organisers.

Key changes include:

All import requirements will now be applied pre-entry/at entry only, with no post-entry liver fluke testing or treatment required for horses entering WA.

Simplified testing protocols — when testing is required, two faecal samples must be submitted to a DPIRD-approved laboratory for a Faecal Egg Sedimentation Test (FEST) within 14 days prior to border entry.

Standardised treatment requirements — all horses* entering WA must be treated for liver fluke, except WA-origin horses returning after short stays (see LB1 Health Certificate for exemptions).

Streamlined short-stay protocol for WA horses that temporarily leave and return.

Updated health certification for horse movement into WA.

These changes are a practical, evidence-based outcome. They reduce unnecessary cost and complexity for our industry while keeping WA’s strong biosecurity protections in place.”

Full details, including the new LB1 Health Certificate and factsheets on testing and treatment, are available via DPIRD’s Forms for importing livestock

For more information, contact DPIRD at [email protected]
or visit the WAHC website for industry updates.

25/09/2025

🚦🐴 Pass Wide & Slow — Be Seen, Be Safe!

Last Friday, driving down Moore Rd (between Padbury & Logue), I spotted two riders in single file — but with NO hi-vis 😱.
Of course I stopped and had a chat about the importance of visibility and the Pass Wide & Slow campaign. Sarah (originally from the UK 🇬🇧 and living locally) said she knew all about PW&S — but her vest was at home!

Fast forward to Tuesday… same spot, and LOOK who was there 👏💛 Sarah, this time rocking her hi-vis!

✨ Please, all riders — BE MORE LIKE SARAH: every ride, every road, wear your hi-vis and help drivers see you sooner and give space to pass wide & slow.

👀 Next step for 2026: WA Horse Council is working to get locally manufactured hi-vis gear for horses and riders — making safety more accessible and affordable for everyone.

25/09/2025

🚨 Local Government Elections Are Coming Up — Be Informed! 🚨

Before you cast your vote, make sure you know where your local candidates stand on issues that matter to horse owners and the wider community.

The Western Australian Horse Council continues to advocate strongly for:

1️⃣ Pass Wide & Slow awareness — safer roads for horses, drivers, and everyone who shares them.
2️⃣ Promoting safer practices at incidents involving large animals — including disasters such as bushfires — through education for veterinarians, emergency services, rangers, and the public (TLAR). WAHC leads this work in WA, owning the state’s only large-animal teaching mannequin and a full suite of rescue equipment — Eburn lifts, glides, slides, strops, and a simulator float for rollover demonstrations. WAHC also pioneered this field nationally by bringing the first international BARTA (British Animal Rescue & Trauma Care Association) speakers to Australia more than 15 years ago.
3️⃣ Maintaining access to tracks, trails, parks and beaches for horses across WA.

✅ The WA Horse Council appreciates the long-standing support shown by the current City of Swan council and mayor — including their help in revitalising tracks and trails within the local government area and their commitment to keeping rural residential areas focused on animal welfare and equestrian heritage. (The sticker for Swan Valley Ratepayers Assoc needs a HORSE!)

📅 On 14 September, we held our first Pass Wide & Slow Awareness Ride with strong backing from local, state and federal representatives.
👉 Please visit our social media pages to see their support and learn more.

🗳️ PLEASE VOTE!!! (Postal voting in all local government areas)
Make your vote count — know your candidates’ positions — and remind them that ANIMAL LIVES MATTER!