SPORT Ireland has released the updated Recreational Horse Trails Criteria for Ireland, a benchmark for the development of horse trails throughout the country ensuring that quality infrastructure is being developed to enable accessible, safe, and enjoyable trail riding opportunities in Ireland.

The 46-page document outlines the demand for safe, off-road riding routes in Ireland continues to grow as the escalating volume and speed of traffic on roads presents ever greater safety risks for horse riders. “Development of clearly signed horse trails will encourage and enable more people to be more active and to get out and enjoy Ireland’s beautiful countryside on horseback, with associated physical and mental health benefits,” the document states.

Developed with stakeholders, including Horse Sport Ireland and TREC Ireland, the document also outlines an appropriate system for the classification and grading of horse trails in line with international best practice.

There has been a significant interest in the number of people who are actively participating in recreational horse riding in Ireland and Sport Ireland believe having this standardised criteria for horse trail developments will assist in providing managed access to Ireland’s beautiful landscapes while helping to protect the environment in which these natural amenities are located.

This criteria document supersedes the Management Standards for Recreational Trails and Classification and Grading for Recreation Trails documents that were released back in 2008.

Insurance

Sport Ireland currently provides insurance to indemnify private landowners and trail management groups against claims for injury, accident or property damage related to privately owned sections of walking trails which meet the agreed criteria and are included on the National Trails Register.

Sport Ireland is working towards providing a similar structure for private landowners and trail management groups in relation to horse trails. Horse riders are advised to have their own public liability insurance to cover their liability for any injury or damage caused by their negligence - or by their horse. However, as with walking and cycling trails, and with horse trails all around the world, there is no legal requirement for horse riders or other trail users to have their own public liability or personal accident insurance in order to use horse trails.

Sport Ireland is also working on developing training programmes related to the planning, development and ongoing management of recreational horse trails in Ireland.

Horse Sport Ireland Sport Governance Executive, Paul Hayes, said: “HSI are delighted to see the launch of the updated Recreational Horse Trails Criteria for Ireland. HSI have and will continue to work closely with Sport Ireland Outdoors, TREC Trails Ireland and Leisure Equestrian Stakeholders to facilitate leisure riding and the development of equestrian trails.

“Having the trails criteria in place will ensure that a clear guidelines are in place for all equestrian trails and provide a road map for trail developers.”