- December 10, 2025
When it comes to allowing horses on Volusia County beaches, County Councilman Troy Kent is reining in his proposal.
In August, the council directed staff in a 5-2 vote to bring them options for a six-month trial period to allow horses on a 9-mile section of the beach. Two possibilities were presented: Al Weeks North Shore Park in Ormond-by-the-Sea or at the Neptune Avenue beach approach, utilizing the Grace Lutheran Church off-beach parking area.
Kent had voiced he preferred Al Weeks North Shore Park as a potential location over Neptune, as the latter would require horses and their handlers to cross A1A, but at the council's meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21, he said he no longer supported it and pulled his motion.
"I am now a 'neigh,'" Kent said.
Most of the emails he's received about allowing horses on the beach are against the idea, he added. The county would need a location on the east side of A1A that could handle horse trailers.
Proceeding with Al Weeks North Shore Park would mean eliminating 19 parking spaces to incorporate two trailer spaces, according to staff's presentation in August.
"The location is not feasible," Kent said. "Not only is it not ideal, it's not feasible. ... I still like the idea of riding horses on the beach. The location is wrong."
