Supporters of Pony Swim, a tradition beloved by equestrians who bring their horses to Cedar Beach in Southold to frolic in the water, met with county officials yesterday to try and save the event.
And while the response was not as enthusiastic as initially hoped, members of the Pony Swim group remain positive.
“It wasn’t a home run but we didn’t totally strike out,” said Samantha Perry.
Perry said members of the Pony Swim group, along with Patrick Henagan, their “voice of science”, met with Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker and Suffolk County Parks Commissioner Greg Dawson.
“The county’s concern is the manure in the bay water and if it’s harmful to humans and shellfish,” Perry wrote on the group’s Facebook page. “As it’s already a county law, no horses on the beaches, it is now up to us to prove otherwise.”
Anker, Perry said, has been helpful and hopes to help all come to an agreement to the swims can resume, but “understandably, not if it poses risks, which we all agree on,” Perry said.
Anker plans to reach out to the water and soil committee and the Suffolk County Department of Health, about potentially testing the waters, she said.
Pony Swim members brought a petition signed by more than 2,100, in support of letting the horses continue to enjoy the beach.
Southold resident Jill Franke also submitted a petition to the Suffolk County Legislature, signed by local residents, asking officials to allow horses to swim on Cedar Beach.
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said he has been working with Franke on the issue. “Jill had reached out to me regarding this issue. Actually, it’s been going on for some time,” he said today. “All complaints that we received were referred to Suffolk County, since it’s a county beach.” He added that he “honestly never knew horses were prohibited until recently, since they have been going there for so long.”
Franke, he added, is proposing that specific times be established to allow for horses, a move that would require a code change. “It sounds like a reasonable and common-sense solution to the current controversy,” he said.
Equestrians formed the Pony Swim group in 2013 to let the horses swim free in the bay along with their owners.
But recently, heartbroken horse lovers were told the swims were a thing of the past: Neighbors in the Cedar Beach area complained to the town about environmental issues and other concerns. Some have complained about having to pick up horse manure and expressed fears about horses allowed free reign in areas where swimmers congregate.
A ranger came to put the brakes on the activity, stating that if the events continued, a fine of $200 per horse would be imposed, Perry said.
Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski said the county’s long had a policy against horseback riding on the beach, stemming from concerns over animal waste in the Peconic Estuary. “Bacteria,” he reminded, “is the reason for shellfish closures.”
He added that if an activity is prohibited, the county has the right to impose fines, noting animal waste in local waters is a critical issue, and animal owners need to remain vigilant. “Horses can’t read the signs,” he said.
