Local Resident Starts Petition After County Shuts Down Horse Swimming at Southold Beach

A local resident recently started a petition on Change.org after Suffolk County shut down horse swimming in Cedar Beach County Park in Southold earlier this month.

The members of the Pony Swim group as well as Southold residents have been taking their horses and ponies to the ”quiet and remote” beach for many years to swim in the Peconic Bay during the summer months, according to the petition started by Samantha Perry.

They were told that it is against the law and that anyone found there again with their horses would be fined $200 per horse, according to the petition.

Currently, in Suffolk County beach riding is only permitted at Smith Point County Park in Mastic Beach from November 1 to May 1.

“Horses along with their owners wish to enjoy the beaches and waters of Long Island during the summer months and warm weather, not in the dead of winter,” Perry, who also started the ‘Pony Swim’ Facebook group, writes on the petition. “Many spectators enjoy watching the playful activities and the sights of frolicking equines. We do not visit beaches during peak times as to be respectful of beach goers, we are diligent with clean up and practice the motto ’leave no trace,’”

The petition, addressed to the Suffolk County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, has received 1,904 supporters since it was created last Saturday.

The goal is to have 2,500 signatures.

Photo: change.org