Call for Kiwis to map riding trails

The New Zealand Bridleways website provides information on public horse riding areas and trails, as well as places you can take horses on holiday.

Local input from riders around the country is needed to complete the task, and photos and rider reviews are important to complete the guide.

In 2007, several horse enthusiasts started the task when they realised how difficult it was for some horse riders to find trails and public riding areas

"There are tracks, paper roads, old logging trails and mustering routes all over the country on public land," says Vivien Dostine, founder of New Zealand Horse Recreation.

"There are also many places that are open to horses, walkers and bikes through the kindness of landowners, or the permission of local agencies and authorities."

While the generosity of landowners has often sustained horse recreation in the past, it also creates uncertainty for the future.

Subdivision has resulted in the loss of many traditional riding spaces, and a more mobile population may not have the links to landowners that once existed.

The change in farming from generational family homestead to corporate style business can change access with a single sale.

Mapping public horse routes, and riding areas will help current and future generations of riders.

Not only will current riders be able to find places to ride more easily, but the group will be able to keep watch over any proposed closures, or lobby for greater access.

"We want to have a really good guide for people getting into horse riding, moving into a new area, and even for those who have ridden for years but haven't kept abreast of changes." Dostine says.

"For some places we can provide almost a virtual tour, from where to park right through to riding along the trails. We'd like to be able to provide that level of detail across the country."

However, there are a number of regions with very high horse recreation that we have very little information about, she said.