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HomeHorse RidingTitle: Equestrian Groups Push for Greater Road Safety Measures Amid Frustration Over...

Title: Equestrian Groups Push for Greater Road Safety Measures Amid Frustration Over Inaction

Title: Equestrian Groups Push for Greater Road Safety Measures Amid Frustration Over Inaction

Horse riders in New Zealand have expressed frustration over the lack of action regarding safety measures on roads and shared pathways, despite over 14 years of petitions advocating for better protections. The New Zealand Equestrian Advocacy Network (NZEAN) and other equestrian groups recently presented a parliamentary petition with over 7,500 signatures, urging the inclusion of horse riders in the Land Transport Act and road safety initiatives. NZEAN chairperson Shelly Warwick highlighted the dangers riders face when sharing roads with vehicles, noting that local authorities often do not support horse-friendly areas.

While the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) reported three injury incidents involving equestrians in the past five years, there have been no fatalities. However, the data may not fully capture the extent of the issue, as non-fatal crashes are often under-reported. The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has spent significant funds on injury claims related to horse riders and vehicles, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and safety measures for both riders and drivers.

Riders are advocating for recognition as “vulnerable road users,” a term currently not defined in New Zealand transport legislation. Despite numerous appeals to transport authorities, riders feel their concerns have been largely ignored. The parliamentary petition’s next steps will be reported to the Minister of Transport, as riders continue to seek legislative changes to improve their safety on the roads.

Source:
www.rnz.co.nz
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Title: RDA Ireland Seeks Volunteers to Support Therapeutic Horse Riding for Individuals with Disabilities

Riding for the Disabled Ireland (RDA Ireland) has been in operation for decades and is now looking towards finding more people who are comfortable around horses and available to support lessons during the day on weekdays.

The charity recently teamed up with GAIN Equine Nutrition, which is owned by Ireland’s leading dairy and grains co-operative Tirlán. Funding from this partnership will help the charity train and support volunteers.

The call has come following a gathering of almost 400 volunteers in Slane, Meath to celebrate the positive benefits horses have on the lives of hundreds of adults and children with special and additional needs at dedicated riding centres around Ireland.

At the gathering, RDA Ireland recognised three volunteers who have given their time to the organisation for 40 years. Other volunteers were recognised for 30, 20 and 10 years of volunteering on a weekly basis with groups across the country.

Secretary at RDA Ireland, Dilys Lindsay said the charity is urging companies to allow employees on weekdays to support their services under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, or consider sponsoring a rider under the charity’s ‘Sponsor a Rider Scheme’.

Dilys has been a volunteer for 26 years and did not have much experience with horses before joining the charity.

“I volunteered because I knew another volunteer. Volunteers only need to be comfortable around horses. All other training is given,” she said.

“Several have said their first word on a horse. Sometimes it’s the horse’s name. Other times it’s words like ‘slow’, ‘stop’ or other commands we use during the lessons.

“Parents, teachers or carers tell us that horse riding boosts their mood, calms them, helps their balance, and helps them to sleep better. I really don’t know what it is – perhaps it’s the magic of the horse,” she said.

Intending volunteers in Laois are urged to contact Laois RDAI Group which operates out of the Stradbally area.

Head of Equine at GAIN Equine Nutrition, Joanne Hurley said: “We’re delighted to continue our support for another really valuable part of the equine industry through our partnership with RDA Ireland. It enriches the lives of so many service users, their families, and communities right around the country.”

RDA Ireland has 30 groups across the country and almost 400 volunteers providing weekly riding or carriage driving sessions to more than 380 children and adults living with disabilities.

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Title: From Wrangler to Owner: Chuck Pablo’s Journey at Koli Equestrian Center

Chuck Pablo was a wrangler working at the Koli Equestrian Center just after it opened in 2002. “In fact, the guy who hired me said, ‘I thought you were going to be the first to leave,’” Pablo said. He wasn’t. Now, he’s the owner and operator of a family business that includes his children and other relatives.

Pablo said the Gila River Indian Community and the previous owner had a disagreement about the management of the equestrian center, which is on tribal land just west of Chandler near Rawhide. The previous owner decided to leave, and the tribe loaned Pablo the money to take over. He’s been there 23 years now.

The Koli Equestrian Center focuses on fun experiences with horses. Staff takes groups and individuals out on 60- and 90-minute trail rides, as well as wagon rides. The center has an event space for birthday parties or corporate events. “Being out here, it’s like you’re in the middle of nowhere, but you’re 20 minutes from downtown, the airport,” Pablo said. “We hear people all the time say, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know you were out here.’”

Pablo said the tribe reached out to him to take over because he was lead wrangler at the time, having worked his way up to that position in only a few months. He said the previous owner helped him get started after he took over, leaving behind some equipment and telling him he could pay him later when he had the money.

Koli Equestrian Center offers horseback riding on trails west of Chandler. They do both group rides and private rides and can work with beginners who are getting on a horse for the first time.

Pablo said he had a similar arrangement with the man the center leased horses from. “I had a whole lot of support from the tribe, the previous owner, and from the community,” Pablo said. “We do bull riding mini rodeos for corporate events,” Pablo said. However, he said the center lacks an arena so they don’t host major rodeo events. They focus on letting folks get in touch with their Wild West roots. He said the center has 56 horses during the winter months. During the summer, they will send about half the herd to Mormon Lake Lodge because the demand for rides subsides and to get the horses out of the heat.

“We have a lot of people that have never been on horses out here, so our horses have to be very responsive,” Pablo said. He said the horses have been trained and they will go slow, letting the rider get comfortable before starting down the trail. Anyone 7 and older can ride. Pablo said for young children, he will make sure a wrangler is holding on to a lead rope and will guide them. “We did a Girl Scout group (recently), and one of the kids was a little nervous. I got a hold of that rope and just took her out, got her comfortable on the horse, and before we got halfway around … she was riding that horse by herself with a big smile.”

Koli Equestrian Center
6940 W. Broken Ear Road, Chandler
602-796-3495, koliequestrian.com

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