Is there a time limit in British Columbia for a settlement conference to be scheduled on a small claim?

Kind of difficult to answer your question when you don't give much background information. What do you mean, animal collision ?

Was the case filed already and in time, merely a delay in the settlement conference?

Some of horses (4) were inadvertently released by other people picking up their horses from our pasture. I knew they were there but had no idea they would be dumb enough to leave a gate open.
In any case the horses were hit by a transport truck as they crossed the highway
And three were killed and the truck was heavily damaged to the tune of $28,000.00.
So the trucking companies insurance company is suing us for the damage to the truck because they say we are responsible because the horses belonged to us.

What about your insurance? Do you have proof that these other people left your gate open? If so, then sue them.

What is the current progress and standing of the court case.

Check the court rules in BC to find out whether settlement conferences are automatically settled. It could be that you have to ask for one.

It doesn't appear that there is a time limit:

"Rule 9-2 — Settlement Conferences
Settlement conference

(1) If, at any stage of an action, the parties of record jointly request a settlement conference by filing a requisition in Form 17 or a judge or master directs that the parties attend a settlement conference, the parties must attend before a judge or master who must, in private and without hearing witnesses, explore all possibilities of settlement of the issues that are outstanding.
..."