Horse riding

Horse riders can access about 500 km of designated equestrian trails on public land in the ACT. Some of these trails are in parks and reserves. There are also areas such as plantation forests where horse riding is permitted on an extensive management trail network.

Trail etiquette

It is legal to ride a horse on a nature strip, shoulder of the road or shared path in the ACT but horse riders must give way to pedestrians.

When horse riding, please:

stay on identified equestrian trails
do not take short cuts or make new tracks – they damage plants and wildlife habitat
avoid riding during or immediately after wet weather conditions
avoid spreading weeds by ensuring that horses have access to clean feed
ensure horses are under control at all times
do not allow horses to graze on vegetation while within Canberra Nature Park
do not allow horses into dams or watercourses
be considerate of other users and avoid conflict with other visitors, such as people walking dogs or riding bicycles

Riding in reserves / Agistment

Riding in reserves

Horses and horse riding are prohibited in reserves protected under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. In some reserves, horse riding is allowed on specific routes identified as equestrian trails. These are generally management trails and include some sections of the National Trail. If you are riding in one of these reserves, you must keep to equestrian trails. Other restrictions may also apply.

Agistment

Government and private horse paddocks provide agistment for horse owners. These are often linked with the equestrian trail network.

Territory Agistment Pty Ltd manages a system of horse paddocks at various locations throughout Canberra on behalf of the ACT Government. For all agistment enquiries phone 02 6226 8277, email admin@territoryagistment.com.au.

Find Horse riding locations

Isaacs Ridge Nature Reserve

Part of Canberra Nature Park in the Woden Valley

Mount Ainslie Nature Reserve

A centrepiece landmark in Walter Burley and Marion Mahoney Griffin's vision for the National Capital and part of Canberra Nature Park

Mount Painter Nature Reserve

The southernmost point of the Ginninderra Creek catchment and part of Canberra Nature Park

More information

If you notice any issues during your visit:

report maintenance issues to Access Canberra
report vandalism or other illegal activities to the police on 131 444
in an emergency, call 000

Community-based organisations promote equestrian activities in the ACT – from pony club to polo. The ACT Equestrian Association (ACTEA) is the peak body representing equestrian groups.

For information about horse trails in Uriarra Village, view the Uriarra Village Recreation Activities Map (449.3 KB).

Find out about:

In a life threatening emergency dial Triple Zero (000)

triple zero 000

5124 0000

6201 6111

1800 629 354

6205 1065

13 11 26

5124 9977

(02) 6205 1700

1800 022 222

13 25 00