The M.D. has made an exception to its bylaw, allowing the owners of a Moose Lake property to keep three horses on their 3.04 acre lot, one more than usually allowed for properties between three and ten acres.
Development Authority Officer Kristy Poirier brought the request to council. The administration had suggested denying the request after receiving a complaint from a neighbour. The neighbor said the property had four horses at one point, which was over the allowed limit, and also said the corral looked bad and caused a strong smell.
Council talked about how much space horses needed. Some referenced the British Horse Society’s advice that each horse should have at least one to one and a half acres. The National Farm Animal Care Council also warns that too many horses in a small space can lead to injuries and health risks.
Poirier explained how the owners manage the horses, saying, “The horses are in a fenced paddock on their lot in the winter and moved to paddocks on the adjacent lots in the summer as needed. There is a 10’x16′ shelter and evergreen trees for shelter for the horses. Manure and old feed is collected and transported to a local farmer’s field for spreading.”
Councillor Don Slipchuk supported the request, saying, “I don’t see an issue with this, looking at one extra horse. We have got a lot of little acreages around the community that have horses.” Deputy Reeve Darcy Skarsen agreed, adding that the area is surrounded by farmland and that horses have been in the area for years.
However, councillor Dana Swigart opposed, arguing that the bylaw exists to protect neighbours and that the property size was too small for three horses. “If the residents directly adjacent are having concerns, I think it’s an issue. It’s not really fair to them. Otherwise, why do we have the bylaws?”
Despite the concerns, council voted four to one in favor of allowing the third horse.
