Horse riders are being excluded from recreational trials such as the Hauraki Rail Trail and that needs to change says equestrienne Jan Mossman of Tuakau Northern Waikato.

'The Hauraki Rail Trail is a great asset but I am disappointed horses are excluded,” says Jan who is part of a movement called Green Trails which has started a petition calling for official recognition of horses as an alternative mode of travel.

Jan says the petition calls on the House of Representatives to: 'Recognise horses as an alternate mode of travel in New Zealand, compel the New Zealand Transport Agency to include ridden and driven horses in their planning and facilitation process, and that The Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand be included in all discussions regarding walking, cycling and combined access recreational trails.”

Those who sign don't only have to be horse riders but believe in the philosophy of the petition, if not for themselves, then for 'our children's children” says Jan.

While she can understand concerns about horses, cyclists and walkers using the same trails, Jan says it's a system which works well in other parts of the world.

'In the USA some suitable trails are also open to quad and dirt bikes. Everyone respects the rules regarding speed and consideration for others. Off the main track there are places leading off the trails where bike riders, if they wish, can race around and go over jumps in their own loop.”

It is not just on recreational trails that horses are being over looked. Jan is advocating for safer conditions and a change in road rules regarding horses in New Zealand, as well.

'The overall attitude of the government and council with road- planning is unacceptable. No consideration is given to the berm user with structure placement, contour weed control and excess gravel ruining berm riding because horses get stone bruises.

"New Zealand is behind the rest of the world in protecting riders. In Australia and the UK for example, the ridden horse is regarded as a vehicle and sometimes horses are also allowed on footpaths.”

Green Trails is currently working with councils in the Waikato to open up access along existing paper roads and Jan says a route from Tuakau to Mercer has lots of potential, once issues with one land owner is resolved.

'These paper roads legally are unformed public owned roads, although some landowners seem to think they own them. Many of these paper roads are historic routes purposely built for horse drawn vehicles and the ridden horse. They were used as stock routes and often follow the trails used by early Maori war parties. Many offer beautiful views.”

Jan says, as a descendant of many generations of farmers and a landowner herself, she can understand how many farmers are concerned about allowing horse riders and others travel through their land. 'OHS rules might mean a farmer is liable if someone has wandered off the public owned paper road and gets hurt. Farmers worry gates may be left open and stock let loose. However, if paper roads were fenced then the issue is largely resolved.

'On the other hand let's consider for decades now many regional parks throughout New Zealand are grazed by farmers and are accessed by the public including horse riders. We don't hear of any trouble.”

The Green Trails petition was launched at a public meeting in Papakura in September where Astrid Lambert, a member of the Auckland Council's Rural Advisory Panel, Chairwoman of the Puhinui Trust and a board member of New Zealand Sport horse Incorporated said there were 45,000 sport horses in Auckland and $372 million of direct income was generated by 23,000 New Zealand riders annually.

Jan says she was surprised at the economic value of the equestrian sector, especially the contribution made by these who owned horses largely as a hobby. 'It turns out owning a horse costs on the average around $13,000 a year.”

Copies of the petition can be found at all Saddlery Warehouse outlets throughout New Zealand or you can download petition and get more info on www.nzsporthorse.org The Petition is also on https://www.facebook.com/NzPetitionToIncludeHorseRidingOnRecreationalTrails