Volusia’s Horse-Friendly Beaches Proposal Rescinded

Those hoping they’d soon be able to navigate the beaches of Volusia County on horseback are in for bad news. A recent proposal within the Volusia County Council to begin allowing horses on certain stretches of beach has been withdrawn. The idea originally came from Councilman Troy Kent, who represents District 4 on the County Council. He first broached the idea in May. At the Council’s August 19th meeting they ultimately voted 5-2 to receive more information. He received some resistance from his colleagues, though; Council members David Santiago and Matt Reinhart were both skeptics. Kent clarified that he had no personal interest in the idea becoming allowed, but that he saw an opportunity for residents to enjoy their beaches in a new way. He was fresh off of having created a permanent dog-friendly beach area in Ormond Beach, and appeared ready to stay in the saddle of reducing animal restrictions at the beach. On Tuesday, however, Kent had a change of heart. Stating that he’d received a number of emails from residents who were opposed to the idea, he declared that the concept was in fact ‘not feasible’. Had it gone through the county government appeared poised to open up horse-friendly beach areas in either Ormond Beach or Ormond-by-the-Sea.