His horses can’t hack it

By Melissa Meehan
TONIMBUK’S world-class equestrian centre will not survive if plans to create a quarry in Sanders Road go ahead.
Owner of the Tonimbuk Equestrian Centre, Ian Mouser said the ongoing blasting of rock and hundreds of daily truck movements would make it impossible to keep his business afloat.
“At times we have 400 horses on-site,” Mr Mouser said.
“They say the horses will get used to the blasting, but these horses aren’t here for long periods of time.
“It would be dangerous for the horses and riders.”
He said he also feared for the safety of local riders who would often ride their horses to and from the centre along the side of the road.
“How can they do this when there are 200-plus trucks going past every day?”
Tonimbuk resident and Mt Cannibal and District Preservation Group Inc secretary David Bywater agreed.
“White ponies, young kids and trucks just don’t mix,” Mr Bywater said.
“Especially when the roads are so narrow as it is.”
Mr Mouser said the combination of safety issues as well as constant blasting would mean people stopped visiting the centre.
“They won’t come to me and say we’re not coming here anymore because we can’t relax or we don’t feel safe,” he said.
“But they just won’t come.”