WA Horse Council

WA Horse Council WAHC represents the Western Australian Equine Community, working with Federal, State & Local Gov.

NZ vs AUS — the classic rivalry! But when it comes to Pass Wide & Slow Awareness Rides, we’ve got to admit… New Zealand ...
03/07/2025

NZ vs AUS — the classic rivalry! But when it comes to Pass Wide & Slow Awareness Rides, we’ve got to admit… New Zealand is winning hands down! Their riders have jumped on board in huge numbers again for 2025 — just like they did last year. Tino pai, team!

🐴 Let’s change that for Australia! Imagine clubs, groups and riders across the country taking part on September 14th, spreading the message to PASS WIDE & SLOW and help keep our roads safer for horses, riders, and all vulnerable road users.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a club, an informal riding group, or just a few friends — every ride counts. You even get your own custom artwork to promote your ride to your local community, the media, and fellow riders.

💡 Keen to see how it's done? Contact Pass Wide and Slow UK to register for international ride. https://www.facebook.com/groups/186405991707556 (the registration info below photo is for NZ only)

And here is the global map to follow rides around the world https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1yw45gzKNIraEx8e0DIBCDPbgiE1kgc8&hl=en_GB&ll=-3.81666561775622e-14%2C-119.5164425700849&z=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawLTPDFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxcXhhM3hWakl0ajZiNUVQAR688D8-OWIQRT2nlZh9z-2enSJnCCr5iD-VQ59L_dW_eLOAx_RXvyKZgDDOLQ_aem_AQBmjUtoG0iLxeIWGfgpxg

Aussie riders — let's show them we can do this too! 🐎

🌹 Vale Eileen BondThe WA equestrian community extends its condolences to the Bond family following the passing of Eileen...
03/07/2025

🌹 Vale Eileen Bond

The WA equestrian community extends its condolences to the Bond family following the passing of Eileen Bond, aged 87.

While many will remember the Bond name for the success of Australia II and the America's Cup, those within the equestrian world will never forget the family's significant contribution to our sport and infrastructure here in Western Australia.

Alongside Laurie Connell, Alan Bond played an instrumental role in the development and financing of the State Equestrian Centre and other key equestrian facilities in the Brigadoon area during the 1980s — a legacy that continues to benefit our community to this day.

Eileen Bond was a constant presence throughout those years — supporting her family, including daughter Susanne, a successful national-level show jumper. It was an exciting era for show jumping in WA, with a strong competition circuit that attracted many of the country's top riders, made possible through the support of families like the Bonds.

We are grateful for the enduring legacy the Bond family has left our equestrian community, and our thoughts are with them at this time.

📢 Bridle Trail Update – Grading & Access Gates 🐎Thanks to the ongoing work of Lis Casey, Swan Valley Horse Trail Revival...
01/07/2025

📢 Bridle Trail Update – Grading & Access Gates 🐎

Thanks to the ongoing work of Lis Casey, Swan Valley Horse Trail Revival and WA Horse Council Tracks & Trails Portfolio Leader, we’re pleased to share the latest update following recent discussions and an on-site meeting with the City of Swan.

✅ Key Points:

The City has reviewed trail grading schedules and will adjust the frequency to better support all trail users.

Sections of the trail in Brigadoon have been added to the program for recycled asphalt stabilisation, improving safety and durability.

New access gate specifications are being considered and will be introduced as existing infrastructure is renewed.

Lis has also followed up to ask:
🔹 When the revised grading schedule will be rolled out
🔹 When updated access gate designs are expected to be finalised

Safe, reliable access remains a top priority — particularly where trails intersect with fast-moving roads. We’ll continue to share updates as they come through.

📩 If you’ve experienced access or safety issues on the trails, please comment below or reach out — your feedback helps shape these improvements.

A huge thank you to Lis for her persistence and advocacy on this issue.

🌿 Thank You Lis Casey – Champion for our Trails! 🌿A huge thank you to Lis Casey, founder of Swan Valley Horse Trails Rev...
28/06/2025

🌿 Thank You Lis Casey – Champion for our Trails! 🌿

A huge thank you to Lis Casey, founder of Swan Valley Horse Trails Revival and Tracks & Trails Portfolio lead for the WA Horse Council, for all her hard work ensuring horse riders’ voices are heard!

Following your feedback, Lis has been working with the City of Swan to improve access and safety across our local bridle trail network.

✅ Planned Improvements:

Trailhead signage at all bridle trail entrances

Minimum 1.5m wide horse-friendly access points beside gates or bollards

Audit to identify locations for optional mounting blocks

These upgrades will be rolled out as gates and signage are replaced, with high-use areas prioritised.

🚫 Step-Overs:
The City does not currently support step-over barriers due to cost, space, and accessibility legislation — but may consider a simple one-rail trial if needed.

📣 Your feedback is vital!
Do you support these changes?
Have you had problems with trail access or mounting?
Suggestions to improve?

👉 Please comment below, message the WA Horse Council, or get in touch with Lis via the Swan Valley Horse Trails Revival page.

Together, let’s make our trails safer and more accessible for everyone! 🐴🌿

From our friends at Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand — Show us your hi-vis! 🚨🐴 We love seeing riders making themselves vis...
28/06/2025

From our friends at Pass Wide and Slow New Zealand — Show us your hi-vis! 🚨🐴 We love seeing riders making themselves visible and staying safe.

Exciting news for our own Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Ride, departing from the State Equestrian Centre on September 14th, 2025…
There will be a hi-vis giveaway on the day! 🌟

Registration details and forms will be available soon via our website. Let’s work together to make sure riders and horses are seen and safe on our roads.

🌪️🐴 A huge thank you to the Animal Emergency Incident Management Network (AEIMN) for hosting Jim Green from BARTA (Briti...
14/06/2025

🌪️🐴 A huge thank you to the Animal Emergency Incident Management Network (AEIMN) for hosting Jim Green from BARTA (British Animal Rescue & Trauma Care Association) at the AEIMN 2025 Conference at Massey University.

Jim shared invaluable insights into large animal rescue, multi-agency response, and the critical role of trained personnel and planning in protecting animal welfare during emergencies.

📄 Download the conference summary here:
👉 https://www.aeimanz.org/conference2025

💡 Interested in joining AEIMN and being part of the network advancing animal emergency preparedness across Australia and New Zealand?
👉 https://www.aeimanz.org/join

Help shape a safer, stronger future for WA’s equine community.
👉 Join us today: https://www.wahorsecouncil.com.au

12/06/2025

A shout-out from the WA Horse Council to our friends across the ditch! 🇳🇿🐴

Thank you, Eyrewell Forest Motor Company, for your sensational road safety messaging toward horse riders—captured unscripted while out filming, simply because you saw your neighbour on her horse.

That makes you, Andrew Farrow, a good sort in our world. 👏 Thank you for setting the bar on kindness and awareness.

Let’s keep the momentum going across both our nations.





Wide and Slow New Zealand
Sports NZ
Zealand Pony Clubs
Zealand Parliament
Racing New Zealand
Hapori Hōiho - The National Māori Horse Association Aotearoa Trust
Zealand Police

Foster MP
Wide and Slow - PWAS Northern Ireland
Road Safety Awareness
Horse Council
Mounts Equine Rehab Unit
Zealand Equine Health Association
Transport Agency Waka Kotahi

👏 Thank you to all at Recreation & Trails Unit Parks and Wildlife Service | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation ...
09/06/2025

👏 Thank you to all at Recreation & Trails Unit Parks and Wildlife Service | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions again for acknowledging the WA Horse Council in the Western Australian Horse Trail Management Guidelines – Trails Development Series.
https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/docs/default-source/sport-and-recreation/trails/wa-horse-trail-management-guidelines_web.pdf?sfvrsn=3d4cb25d_4

We’re proud to have contributed to this important collaboration, jointly funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).

Produced by the Project Management Group and TRC Tourism, with technical guidance from the Stakeholder Reference Group, this document provides a practical roadmap for the planning, development, and management of equestrian trails across WA.

🐴 Special mention on Page 109, which highlights road safety and features our photo of Hannah Harris (and Mum, Charly!) riding in Millendon during last year’s campaign. A great reminder of how equestrian access, road safety, trail planning, and rider safety go hand in hand.

🚧 Riding Along Roads – Trail Safety Tips 🐎

Horse trails may sometimes include roads or shoulders as part of the route. This can happen:

• To connect trail sections where no off-road link exists
• Where terrain, watercourses or vegetation make other paths impractical
• On low-traffic, rural or local roads deemed safe for shared use
• As a temporary detour during construction or maintenance
• When following historical or cultural routes that include road segments

📌 Key Principles for Road Use on Horse Trails:

• Keep road sections as short as possible to reduce rider exposure to traffic
• Only use low-speed, low-traffic roads where safe to do so
• Choose roads with wide shoulders or adequate space for safe passing
• Install clear signage to alert drivers to horse riders on the road
• Provide pre-trip info so riders know in advance where road sections occur
• Encourage the use of high visibility vests for all riders on roads

📷 Photo: Herne Hill – WA Horse Council

🌍🐴 PASS WIDE AND SLOW AWARENESS RIDES – 148 AND COUNTING FOR 2025!From our incredible friends at Pass Wide and Slow UK:❌...
05/06/2025

🌍🐴 PASS WIDE AND SLOW AWARENESS RIDES – 148 AND COUNTING FOR 2025!

From our incredible friends at Pass Wide and Slow UK:

❌ 148 PWAS Awareness Rides/Drives have already signed up this year!
✅ 127 in the UK
✅ 14 in New Zealand
✅ 3 in Australia
✅ 1 in Canada
✅ 1 in the USA
✅ 1 in South Africa

👏 A powerful global movement to protect horses and riders on our roads — but we NEED MORE!

📩 Want to host a ride or drive?
• UK & international: Message the PWAS UK team
• New Zealand: Email [email protected]
• Australia – it’s time to saddle up and speak out.

🗣️ To everyone in the equine industry across Western Australia — the second-largest state in the world — we’re calling on YOU! Pony clubs, ag societies, trail groups, harness drivers, racing stables, vets, coaches, breeders, farriers, and every horse-loving community:
👉 Let’s work together to host more rides, raise awareness, and save lives.

WA’s 2025 Awareness Ride is set for Sunday, 14 September, but we need more voices, more rides, and more action right across the state.

Because every ride educates. Every sign protects. And every rider deserves to come home safe.



https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=54.4220419132298%2C-5.228077000976552&z=6&fbclid=IwY2xjawKuIOVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFUTVVLc2ZZaFE3cEZOeGNOAR4SlWscBPkfbh2KMnWjv1DNd2agd-UPtZwvImRk9NENtEdj9MBWX0WwEUBNxA_aem_i2SUIWgLbCcNY54rgdYOIA&mid=1yw45gzKNIraEx8e0DIBCDPbgiE1kgc8

👏🐴 HORSE RESCUE IN FORBES, NSW 🛟🌞A huge shoutout to the NSW SES Forbes Unit, NSW SES, Lachlan Valley Vets, and the local...
05/06/2025

👏🐴 HORSE RESCUE IN FORBES, NSW 🛟🌞

A huge shoutout to the NSW SES Forbes Unit, NSW SES, Lachlan Valley Vets, and the local community for their amazing teamwork and expertise during this morning’s horse rescue near the Lachlan River.

A horse became trapped in deep mud and was unable to get out. Thanks to a coordinated response using flood rescue and large animal rescue techniques, the team guided the horse to a safer bank—but the ordeal wasn’t over.

Exhausted and unable to climb out, the horse was gently moved with a rescue glide and good old people power 💪🏻 to dry ground, where it could be treated and warmed by the vet and caring hands.

This rescue shows the power of collaboration — SES volunteers, neighbours, horse owners, and vets all working together to save a life. The horse is now safe and in the care of its grateful owner.

💚 Hats off to all involved — this is what animal rescue in emergencies is all about!

📣 WA HORSE COUNCIL ROAD SAFETY SURVEY – RESULTS ARE IN! 🐎In December 2024, we asked riders, drivers, and landowners acro...
01/06/2025

📣 WA HORSE COUNCIL ROAD SAFETY SURVEY – RESULTS ARE IN! 🐎

In December 2024, we asked riders, drivers, and landowners across WA to share their experiences and concerns about horses on our roads. With over 340 responses, the message is loud and clear — WA’s road safety system is failing our horses and riders.

📊 Key findings:

🚨 73% have never received education on how to behave around horses on roads.
🐴 66% regularly encounter horses on the road – often in high-risk situations.
⚠️ 82% have experienced or witnessed near-misses or serious incidents.
📢 A huge 95% support increased signage and public awareness campaigns.

📍Top areas of concern: Swan Valley, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Mundaring, Donnybrook, Chittering, and Albany

💬 You told us:

“Drivers don’t understand that horses are unpredictable prey animals.”

“We’ve had vehicles rev engines, beep horns, and speed past on purpose.”

“We need school-based education so kids grow up knowing how to act around horses.”

“Carriage drivers are completely forgotten in road design — we need wider verges and visibility.”

“We use road verges because there’s nowhere else to ride safely.”

“Even hi-vis gear and helmet cams don’t stop reckless behaviour — signage and law reform is needed.”

“We shouldn’t be risking our lives just to get from the paddock to the trail.”

“People are waiting for someone to die before change happens. Don’t let it come to that.”

🧭 What we’re calling for:
✅ Public education campaigns like Pass Wide and Slow — for all road users
✅ Safe, signed bridle trails and road verge access
✅ Formal legal recognition of horses as Vulnerable Road Users, as already adopted in the UK and progressing in NZ
✅ Specific protections for carriage drivers and horse transport vehicles
✅ Greater use of high-visibility gear and encouragement for all riders and drivers to adopt visibility-enhancing measures
✅ More collaboration between local governments, Main Roads, and horse communities

This is more than road safety. It’s about respect, recognition, and saving lives — both human and horse.

🧡 Thank you to every rider, parent, driver, and landholder who shared your stories. The horses may not have a voice — but together, we do.

📥 Survey link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbkQbrrcCuNWw6L1uLhY3Yx9CE1tyyNED_G2s_DAnDA5YJBA/viewform?usp=sf_link
📊 Full results: coming soon at www.wahorsecouncil.com.au

📅 SAVE THE DATE
🐎 Pass Wide and Slow Awareness Ride – Australia
📍 State Equestrian Centre, Brigadoon
🗓️ Sunday, 14 September 2025



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