A Highland riding centre which suffered an outbreak of the infectious horse disease Strangles will have its licence considered by a council committee on Friday.
Highlands Unbridled, which operates out of the Northwilds centre near Tain, was hit by the outbreak in August last year.
The Highland Council’s licensing committee stopped the firm from carrying out long distance trail rides after hearing concerns about bio-security.
Councillors granted a provisional three-month licence to carry out local trekking and lessons only out of their main centre.
Now on Friday the committee has a number of options, to grant a full licence for day trekking subject to conditions, or grant a licence to operate a limited number of long distance treks, which will expire at the end of the year.
The third option is to refuse to grant a licence.
There have been 11 objections from people concerned about bio-security issues at the stables.
In a report before the committee, vet Charlotte Fraser writes: “The welfare of the horses and ponies inspected on Friday March 10 was significantly improved from the last two visits of 2016.
“As well as largely having brought the Strangles outbreak under control, there were major improvements in foot care, skin health over the saddle area, and none were lame when trotted.”
She continued: “I am still concerned that the previous deficiencies in management of the trial riding have to been proven to be remedied.
“I would recommend that a limited number of trail rides take place later in the 2017.”
The vet adds: “Allowance should be made for more significant rest periods between trail rides and a veterinary and farrier’s check at agreed intervals.”
She recommends that the licence be approved until the end of this year with certain conditions.
Trail rides should be limited to three six or seven day trails with a veterinary inspection after the horses have returned and a full week’s rest afterwards.