Carmarthenshire County Council has unveiled a groundbreaking equestrian access strategy, the first of its kind in Wales, aiming to transform opportunities for horses, riders, and carriage drivers across the county.
The strategy sets out a 10-year vision to improve and expand equestrian access, enhance rural connectivity, and promote inclusive enjoyment of the countryside. A council spokesperson said it “reflects the ambition to support the equestrian community, strengthen rural links, and ensure safe, sustainable access for all.”
This is excellent news for the equestrian community, coming after growing concerns over the safety of horses on the road. Improved access to dedicated bridleways and restricted byways means riders and carriage drivers can avoid busy roads wherever possible, reducing the risk of accidents and helping ensure both equine and rider safety throughout the county.
Key early actions include the creation of an equine user group and a volunteer equine maintenance workforce, designed to help prioritise improvements and drive long-term delivery. The plan also outlines assessing footpaths for potential upgrades to bridleways, evaluating council-owned land for equestrian use, and exploring partnerships with other landowners to expand the public rights of way (PROW) network.
Currently, Carmarthenshire has around 166km of bridleways and 83km of restricted byways and byways open to all traffic (BOATs) for riders and carriage drivers — less than 10% of the total network is accessible to equestrians. The strategy seeks to dramatically improve these figures, giving equestrians safer and more connected routes throughout the county.
Cabinet member for climate change, decarbonisation, and sustainability Aled Vaughan Owen highlighted the wider benefits: “This strategy provides a clear, realistic, and sustainable path to work with the equestrian community. It recognises the vital role horses play in Carmarthenshire’s rural identity and the significant health, wellbeing, and economic benefits equestrianism brings.”
Through this strategy, Carmarthenshire is not only enhancing local equestrian opportunities but also creating a model for collaboration and innovation that could influence equestrian access across the country.