About

Horse SA

Horse SA is a voice for horse owners and organisations.

Horse SA has, as a key goal, to make sure horses are a valued part of our Australian culture, community and business life. The organisation works at all levels of government, business and non-profit organisations through to grass roots horse owners to achieve that goal.

Among the core aims of the organisation is to ensure the future of horses in the South Australian community. This is achieved through working with government, horse owners and organisations to develop more horse friendly laws, care for the environment and promote the right to use public land in a region that has some of the toughest land-use regulations in Australia for horse keeping and riding.

Management

Incorporated in December 1999, Horse SA is run by an elected board of management, helped by extra volunteers, with Julie Fiedler as Executive Officer managing day to day affairs.  The office is located at the Adelaide Showground.

Employment of an Executive Officer allows for horse-related issues to be raised at the many meetings held by government agencies and other professional organisations during normal business hours.

Member Organisations

Horse SA has a membership base of over 60 horse-related organisations, from Pony Club, Equestrian South Australia and Riding for the Disabled through to thoroughbred and harness racing interests.

The fastest growing area of Horse SA is memberships taken up by the business sector.  More than 60 businesses have gained benefit through networking functions, lunches and promotions and the opportunity to meet with members of the horse community.

Communication

Regular communication with horse owners and government is a priority area for Horse SA.

Face to face communication is seen as very important, with time spent organising networking functions, briefing meetings, conducting public forums, guest speaking at clubs and visiting horse owners.

Horse SA markets the horse industry in various ways including stands in Rundle Mall, Royal Adelaide Show and industry events.

Communication and marketing takes place in other ways, too, using technology – websites, a blog, weekly email news update, and newsletters that can be downloaded from the Internet.  Horse SA also maintains an active social media presence in Facebook and Twitter.

Major Achievements

Day to day work of Horse SA keeps the profile of horse owners on government agendas.

The Kidman Trail is a multi-use (horse riding, cycling and walking) trail from Willunga, south of Adelaide, through the Adelaide Hills and Barossa to Kapunda. Public horse yards and campsites are available for use along the route.

The research project that led to the development of horse keeping and environmental benchmarks, now called “HorsesLandWater” has been an important milestone. This work has supported ongoing horse keeping activities to take place in the Adelaide Hills watershed.

The new partnership with the University of Adelaide Veterinary School will greatly improve the health and welfare of horses through horse health services, public education programs and research

Future Goals

There are many future goals for  members of Horse SA, with one of the most important being the upgrade of horse facilities at the Adelaide Showground to form the State Horse Centre Precinct.

Financial support

Membership and fundraising provide the main sources of income. Support through the Office of Recreation and Sport is also appreciated.

Additional income has also been found by attracting project-based grants that have a government-funding component.

Donations and sponsorship are highly valued and allow important work to take place for horse owners in South Australia.

How to Get Involved

Horse SA invites all horse owners and organisations or businesses providing services to horse owners to become members.

Each week, information is shared about relevant issues through the e-news service. It is easy to join the list and forward on to other horse owners.

Volunteering is another way to support the work of Horse SA. Roles include Kidman Trail support, online (virtual volunteering) and help at events.

Our members also help people to engage in the research programs and share their knowledge and information.

For more informationon how to join Horse SA visit the Membership section of this website.