focus onCOMMUNITIES 26


Seven Steps


H by danielle bolte / courtesy elcr.org


orses bring many benefits to our local communities including


economic, ecological, and aes- thetic, and they enhance our general health and well-being. Plus, horses can be local eco- nomic drivers; according to the American Horse Council 2005 National Economic Impact of the U.S. Horse Industry Study, the equine industry accounted for 460,000 full-time jobs with an annual impact of $39 billion annually to our economy, gener- ating $1.9 billion in taxes. Also, horses and the beautiful scenic vistas that horse lands provide contribute greatly to our communities and our quality of life. It is important to note, though, that horses cannot provide these benefits without the land to support them. Increasingly, both horse- men and non-horsemen have


for Horsetowns


These keys open doors to equine-inclusive communities


witnessed open areas that were once horse lands taken over by development. According to the 2012 USDA Census from 2007 to 2012 the number of horse ranch- es decreased by 14% (71,146) and the horse population decreased by 11% (407,479). Poorly planned, uncontrolled development or sprawl, population growth, and a citizenry that is increasingly unfamiliar with livestock are the greatest threats to equestrians and horse land owners today. While premier horse facilities,


competition and recreational riding venues can exist close to (and even in) cities, local land use planning must purposefully incorporate them. By includ- ing horses into the land use planning process and making communities equestrian-friend- ly, planning departments can encourage horse owners to remain in the area or possibly move to the area for the provid-


ed amenities. Here are seven steps that can help incorporate horses into the land use and community plans.


STEP 1: Know Your Equestrian Community. The shape of the local horse


industry will determine what types of facilities are necessary. Understanding what types of equestrian uses are present in the area and where they are located is an essential knowl- edge base for future planning, but one that many communities are lacking. Horse owners are not a uniform body; the equine industry ranges in scale from the backyard horse owner to large show facilities and racetracks. In addition, horses are used for many purposes, ranging from companion animals to trail and endurance horses to show and race horses. For example, areas with large populations of rec- reational trail riders may have more need of well-maintained trail systems than areas with a high population of racehorses or gaited show horses.


Residential equestrian trails,


like the 95 miles of trails found in the City of Norco, are key to maintaining a horse community.


STEP 2: Develop and Maintain Equestrian-Friendly Trail Systems. Recreational and trail riding


are the most popular uses of horses, with nearly 4 of the 9.2 million horses in the country used solely for this purpose. Therefore, one of the most widely atractive amenities that can be provided to horse owners is a well maintained and horse-friendly trail system. What makes a trail system


“equestrian friendly?” First of all, there must be ample space to park and turn horse trailers around. A few stalls or paddocks may not be amiss in well-used areas, especially where camp- ing is also a possibility, but as a minimum there must be water available at the trail head, and possibly along the trail as well, depending on its length. The trails themselves should


be reasonably wide to allow for safe passage, and the footing should be natural, not gravel or pavement, to aid in traction and avoid bruising of the horses’ feet. When clearing overhead limbs from the trail, consider that a rider’s head is oſten eight feet or


Photo courtesy Robin Hutton


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