Horseback riding in Palma Sola Bay has been paused for a month following concerns about bacterial contamination in the water, an initiative proposed by the riding companies themselves to help identify the source of the issue. Since 2022, weekly water testing by Suncoast Waterkeeper has shown that the bay, particularly the area known as “Little Palma Sola Bay,” consistently fails to meet state water quality standards. While horse waste has been linked to some bacterial presence, it is not considered the sole cause.

The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is conducting water tests during the horse riding hiatus and after the horses return to assess any changes in water quality. Both organizations acknowledge that horses contribute to bacterial levels, but these are currently low and difficult to quantify. Despite the experimental pause, there are concerns about the validity of conclusions drawn from this short-term study and the financial impact on local businesses. The consensus is that maintaining clean water requires a community-wide effort beyond just addressing the horse-related factors.