Introduction

If horses are allowed to walk across, congregate or play and frolic through watercourses, their hooves can easily disturb the fragile ground in these areas and lead to erosion problems and disturbance of stream beds.
 

Manure left in these areas can also pollute the watercourses. Research has shown that young animals, including foals on lactating mares, can affect water quality through the introduction of Cryptosoridium and Giardia from their manure.
 

Horse riders on trails need to also consider selecting the best crossing points for creeks and to ride straight across. Damage is done when horses are permitted to paw and play in the water, greatly disturbing the creekbed.
 

In South Australia, Property owners also have responsibilities under legislation (Environmental Protection Authority's Environmental Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2003) to avoid discharging or depositing waste or pollutants into any waters, bores or on to land where it might enter the water.
 

Also, in South Australia, watercourse crossings are regarded as a "water affecting activity" under the Natural Resources Management Act so advice should be sought. You will need to apply for a permit from Water Licensing, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (see Development and related approvals - Whole of Property Management).
 

Steps to achieve best practice

Where horses need to be able to cross watercourses on the property, crossings should be carefully sited, designed and constructed and positioned to prevent harm to the watercourse. It may be an option to use natural crossings i.e. places that have a hard base or stable base of rocks.
 

As a general guideline, stock crossings should be constructed to minimise impact on the watercourse.
 

If a constructed stock crossing is required, make sure:

• you get advice and approval from the Department of Land, Water and Biodiversity Conservation before starting construction, and
• you construct the crossing according to specifications that are suited to the flow dynamics of the watercourse and your budget.
• control horse access to the crossing, for example by installing gates at the entry/exit of the crossing.

Culverts are another option, although these are likely to be more expensive to construct.

 

 
Stock crossings should have a stable, hard base that will not erode - e.g. bed of rocks, or hardened bed.

Links

• Livestock management: construction of livestock crossings - Water Notes, Water and Rivers Commission, Western Australia: www.wrc.wa.gov.au
• Guidelines for the assessment of water affecting activities - culvert construction - Scholz, G. (Dept Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation). Available from EPA Watershed office, Stirling S.A.
• Water Licensing, Dept of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Ph. 8204 8588
• Legislation: www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/legislation.html or www.parliament.sa.gov.au
• Land Management Program advisers: www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au/services.html
• Horse SA: www.horsesa.asn.au
• Hoofprints - A manual for Horse Property Management - J. Foyel, Primary Industries SA. Agdex 461/10
• A Legal guide for South Australian primary producers - SA Law Society, available from PIRSA offices, Natural Resource Centres (but note some legislation referred to is now superseded)
• Managing Horses on Small Properties - by Jane Myers. Landlinks Press available through CSIRO publishing or Horse SA: www.horsesa.asn.au
• Horse Sense - Landlinks Press available through CSIRO publishing or Horse SA: www.horsesa.asn.au
• Check the websites from your State department of agriculture for additional books and fact sheets