While an avid horse owner is calling for P.E.I. to open up the Confederation Trail to horses and their riders, P.E.I. Tourism Minister?Valerie Docherty says that isn't going to happen.
Prince Edward Island is the only province that doesn't allow horses on trails and that needs to stop, says Tanya MacCallum.
But Docherty counters that the trail is only about six feet wide and it's not safe for people to be meeting horses on.
MacCallum wants to be able to ride her horse on the trail, and disagrees with Docherty's claim of horses being unsafe to others.
"If anything they're more a risk to their riders than anyone on the trail," MacCallum said.
Horse owners know how their horse will act and the responsibility should be on them to keep 'spooky' horses off the trail, she says.
"We want to make the trail available to horses who can abide by the rules."
Those rules are part of a plan MacCallum has helped put together with other riders to ensure people are safe and the trail is kept in good shape.
It would see horses permitted on the trail between June and November.
"It's too dangerous with snowmobiles on the trail in the winter, and too muddy in the spring and could damage the trail," MacCallum said.
She says there are too few places where people can ride their horses.
"Not everyone has the luxury of having a 10-acre field," she said, adding that horse owners are willing to pay a fee to use the trail.
"We are willing to do it just to show we are responsible."
She isn't expecting immediate change but wants a trial run to see if it can work.
"We don't want (government) to just change the trails act like that. We just want a chance to make this work. Every other province can make this work so why can't we even be given a try?"
Docherty says the issue isn't that simple.
"If I let one special interest group on it then I have to let them all," Docherty said.
Other provinces are wishing they could peel back the groups who use the trails, she says.
"I actually get applauded from my colleagues across the country who do have horses on multi-use trails," said the minister.
Docherty rode horses when she was growing up and says she understands the passion but there are some questions that need to be answered.
"Who is liable if a horse harms somebody (on the trail)?" Docherty asks.
"It's not so simple as saying, 'Yes you're allowed on the trail."
The Confederation Trail is part of the Trans-Canada trail system. The Trans-Canada trail lists in its core principles that horseback riding on trails is encouraged, but individual trail systems are allowed to make rules in the best interest of locals.
The groups have a meeting Thursday to discuss the issue but Docherty's current stance is clear.
"As of right now the answer is no, we're not doing it."
Just the facts:
Plan to allow horses on the trail:
- Horses allowed on the trail when there is no snow and the ground is firm (June-November);
- Horses must walk or trot at a gentle pace to ensure safety for other trail users;
- Riders must wear helmets;
- At crosswalks where the trail meets the pavement, riders must dismount and lead their horse across the road;
- If a horse poops, riders must kick it to the ditch or remove with a 'poop bag'.
