The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale recently opened two new horse trails, Whim and Jinker, marking a significant development in Western Australia’s trail horse riding infrastructure. Praised by the Australian Trail Horse Riders Association (ATHRA) and WA Horse Council, these trails offer high-quality riding experiences while emphasizing environmental protection and multi-user sharing with walkers and cyclists. The trails, named after historical timber hauling equipment, reflect strong collaboration between local, state, and federal bodies, and are the first in WA designed under the state’s horse trail management guidelines.

Despite this progress, WA still faces challenges with inconsistent trail delivery, lack of statewide equine access strategy, and insufficient funding for maintenance and safety improvements compared to other states like Victoria and NSW. Stakeholders stress the need for ongoing environmental management, better planning, and community involvement to ensure sustainable trail use. The new trails, managed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, encourage user responsibility and active reporting to maintain safety and trail quality.