Title: Volusia County Considers Horseback Riding on Daytona Beach Amid Mixed Reactions

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DELAND, Fla. — After announcing plans to look into adding a dog-friendly beach in Daytona Beach, Volusia County officials are now considering adding horses on the beach.

What You Need To Know

The Volusia County Council is considering beach horseback riding.

The council approved a motion on May 20 to bring back information about this and to discuss it.

As welcome as some say the idea is, others have concerns, especially when it comes to cleanup.

“Council I would like for us … to have two locations where we could open up Volusia County beaches one at the south end of Volusia County and one at the north end for horseback riding experiences,” County Council member Troy Kent said on May 20.

The council approved a motion to bring back information about the idea and to discuss it.

Some welcomed the idea of allowing horses on the beach. However, others say they have concerns, especially when it comes to cleaning up after the animals.

“I know a lot of people are going to have a problem when a horse defecates," Port Orange resident Mark Fox said. "And it’s a large thing, and people already freak out when a puppy pees in the water.”

Angelique Barbara, who owns Angel’s Animal Sanctuary — a place more than 100 animals of all shapes and sizes call home — believes the idea could work, but it will take some preparation.

“In St. Johns County, I don’t know how Volusia will do it, but they make you take an online course so that you can learn how to safely be on the beach where it’s hygienic for everybody else and safe for marine life,” she said.

In order to make this idea a reality, Barbara said it has to be a good fit for the animals and people.

“I know there’s a ton of horse people in Volusia County that would be really excited to be able to start bringing their horses on the beach here,” she said.