Can you rent a horse for a trail ride?
There are no public trail riding ventures in Southlands. Horses cannot be rented hourly for trail rides. If you are interested in learning to ride horses, contact Southlands Riding Club. They can recommend an instructor who can teach you the basics of riding before heading out on the trails with you.

How do I approach a horse?
If you encounter a horse on the trails, keep your distance and ask the owner if you may approach the horse. Don’t approach it from behind. Keep your voice calm and your actions to a minimum. If you encounter a horse in a field, it is unwise to try to pet or feed it without the owner’s permission. The horse may accidentally mistake your fingers for carrots! If either of you gets hurt, there could be liability issues.

What scares horses?
Because horses’ eyes work differently than our own, seeing certain objects (especially moving ones) may scare them. Umbrellas, strollers, scooters and other large man-made objects that they don’t see day-to-day may startle them. If you are near an agitated horse, it’s best to stand still and ask the rider what to do. Don’t hide or crouch down, that’s even scarier!

What about manure?
Veterinary studies show that horses, who eat only plants, produce waste which is essentially digested grass. This easily breaks down further, washing away in the next rains. There is no toxicity to affect humans in environments such as the City Greenways and Pacific Spirit Park. Manure is an effective, inexpensive and natural fertilizer.