 Horse riders say they are not being allowed to enjoy the countryside |
Horse riders in Llanelli have gathered a 2,000 signature petition calling for more bridleways in the town. They claim most off-road routes are geared towards cyclists and walkers forcing them onto the streets.
Poor and inpatient drivers are making life a misery and there have been several near misses, campaigners say.
Carmarthenshire Council admits there are fewer bridleways compared to neighbouring counties but says a programme of improvements is underway.
 |  It's going to take a few people getting injured before they realize that we are not playing games  |
The Llanelli Horsewatch Group points to the 22km Millennium Coastal Park and the former Mynydd Mawr railway line as areas its members cannot access.
Secretary Val Wright said: "Cyclists are getting everything they want but the council has got this idea that we are a danger and they just want us on the roads.
"You use to be able to ride all the way from Llanelli to Burry Port but since they built coastal park with a cycle path we are now banned from the coast.
"Here in the Llanelli area there is no where to enjoy the countryside off-road but over on the Gower you can ride anywhere you want.
"But not everyone has a vehicle to get there."
She said many motorists were compounding the problem.
"Some are good but many are not. I've been out with my horse and people have almost driven into the back of me.
"If you are out on the country lanes you are constantly on the look out for boy racers coming around the corner.
 Horses are banned from Llanelli's Millennium Coastal Park |
"There are many riders in Llanelli of all ages and we want to be able to enjoy our horses.
"It's going to take a few people getting injured before they realize that we are not playing games."
Carmarthenshire's senior manager for parks and countryside Elwyn Hughes said there was 120km of bridleways in the county.
"For historical reasons, when the definitive map of rights of way was produced there were relatively few bridleways designated in the county in comparison with adjoining counties," he said.
"A priority programme for bridleways is underway."
He said to compensate for a lack of bridleways the authority had improved access at other sites.
"The new woodland park at Mynydd Mawr makes specific provision for horse riders and a similar improvement scheme for Llyn Llech Owen is awaiting grant approval."
Mr Hughes said there was a plan for open access for horse riders at Pembrey Forest later in the year.
But Mrs Wright added: "The last time we had meetings with our council they said they were trying to help but that was two years ago and we've not heard anything since."
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