Horse Country : Corralling the Valley’s Stable Population

No one knows exactly how many horses are stabled in the San Fernando Valley, but estimates range as high as 100,00 citywide. That’s about one horse for every 35 residents. Although it’s not as common as it used to be, it’s still legal in many neighborhoods to keep a horse in your back yard. Generally, the city of Los Angeles requires the lot be at least 17,500 square feet-nearly half an acre.

Besides having a big spread, you can spend as much as $800 a month on upkeep and training for each horse. New city rules now under discussion could make it even more expensive. *

Licensing

In the city of Los Angeles, horse owners, like all pet owners, must have a license. Licenses from the Department of Animal Regulation cost $14 per year. But most horse owners do not license their horses, so the number of licenses is not indicative of actual ownership. Licenses obtained in the department’s East and West Valley offices since 1990: *

Boarding at Stables

Some for the larger boarding stables in the Valley area:

Osborne Stables

Location: Lake View Terrace

Amenities: Boards and also rents horses by the hour.

Los Angeles Equestrian Center

Location: Burbank

Amenities: Boards, rents and hosts equestrian and non-equestrian events.

Hansen Dam Equestrian Center

Location: Lake View Terrace

Amenities: Boarding only. Show grounds recently opened.

Middle Ranch

Location: Lake View Terrace

Amenities: Boarding only. Has clubhouse for boarders.

*

Eating Like A Horse

The average horse easts about 20 pounds of hay each day and washes it down with 18 gallons of water-equal to 288 glasses. Horse owners measure their steed’s intake in “flakes”. One flake is about a tenth of a bale; a horse usually eats two flakes per day. *

Adding Up the Cost

Whether boarding a horse at a stable or keeping it at home, ownung one is a costly pursuit. For training, lessons and grooming, add another $300-400.

Average monthly costs:

Stable At home Boarding/ food $300-400 $100 Yet* $12.50 $12.50 Shoeing** $60-80 $60 Total $400-500 $100-200

* Based on the average annual cost of $150 ** Per visit: horse is shod every other month *

Zoning

Regulations for owning a horse at home vary thoughout the VAlley and surrounding area. Here are a few:

L.A. City: Horse ownership is allowed in agricultural and residential zones on property that is at least 17,500 square feet. On these lots, one horse per 4,000 square feet is permitted. In the Valley, this includes the A1, A2, RE and RA zones.

Burbank: Owner must live in R-1-H zone, which is a single-family horse zone at the southwest end of the city. Residents are allowed done horse for every 32,000 square feet. Permits from the Burbank Animal Shelter are required.

L.A. County: One horse allowed per 15,000 square feet of property ins ingle-family neighborhoods. Horse must be for exclusive use of property owner.

Agoura Hills: Eight adult horses allowed per acre on a minimum 15,000-square-foot lot.

Calabasas: One horse over 9 months old allowed for every 5,000 square feet.

San Fernando: No horses allowed. *

Horse-Keeping Bill of Rights

L.A. Councilman Hal Bernson, a strong horse owner’s advocate, has proposed modifying the city horse-keeping oridance to streamline the permit process and preserve equestrian land use. The proposal addresses zoning, safety, cleanliness and distance from neighboring property-and will be debated by the council in the fall. *

Where They Live

Burbank

Chatsworth

Hidden Hills

Lake View Terrace

Sunland

Sylmar

Horse ownership is concentrated in these Valley communities largely because of the lot size requirements, as well as access to equestrian amenities such a public riding trails in the Santa Monica and Santa Susana mountains. A number of public parks also accommodate the horsey set, including O’Melveny Park in Granada Hills, Stetson Ranch in Sunland and Griffith Park. There is a high concentration of boarding stables in these areas. Sources: Los Angeles City Department of Animal Regulation; Office Councilman Hal Bernson