Why do we need to conserve land for horses? Land loss is occurring rapidly due to sprawl and poor planning. What does that mean to horse enthusiasts versus community? It turns out that the issues of economic impact, community identity and aesthetics, and the ecologically ‘cleansing’ nature of open lands are a good reason to keep our communities Open and Green, and are in sync with our need to have places to raise, grow feed for, ride, drive, compete with and enjoy our horses.

Expanding populations and an American lifestyle based on the availability of new housing and development is a growing concern for horse land and facilities owners and trail users. What basic steps should horsemen take to ensure that their communities accept, appreciate and support their horse lands and activities?

Sprawl and development are everywhere. To avoid being surprised by the loss of horse farms and ranches, facilities and trails in their communities and regions, horsemen need to be aware of and active in the process of community land use planning and zoning.

At the 2012 ELCR One-Day Regional Forum on Land Use Planning in Atlanta, Georgia, Tom Daniels, Ph.D told this story about how cool heads and research stopped anti-horse policies in La Habra Heights, CA.

At the 2012 ELCR One-Day Regional Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, Tom Daniels, Ph.D presented "Stop the Sprawl, I Want to Get Off!" This informative and inspiring presentation provides the basics of planning and zoning in relation to the horse lands and facilities, along with real-life examples of what works and what does not. This video is part one of two parts.

At the 2012 ELCR Regional One Day Forum on Land Use Planning in Atlanta, Georgia, Tom Daniels, Ph.D explained Horse-Friendly zoning, and how different types of agricultural zones affect horse owners and equine businesses.

At the 2012 ELCR One-Day Regional Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, Tom Daniels, Ph.D presented "Stop the Sprawl, I Want to Get Off!" This informative and inspiring presentation provides the basics of planning and zoning in relation to the horse lands and facilities, along with real-life examples of what works and what does not. In this Part 2 video, Dr. Daniels focuses on effective zoning ordinances and horse-friendly language that should be included in planning documents.

See Chapter Three - Rural Legacy and Natural Resource Lands, section/page 3-13 deals specifically with equine land use planning.

This campaign was begun in 2003-2004, and is an initiative to catalog existing horse farms and farm owner experiences with local governments regarding zoning issues; to develop volunteer coordinator and committees for each county; to collect data on farms that have been sold; to identify zoning ordinances, and state/federal regulations that support farm preservation; and to set about reforming ‘local zoning and land use regulations to make them more horse farm friendly’

Zoning issues, "horse friendly", research, reviews and summaries of various communities and pertinent underlying provisions of a sampling of zoning and land use ordinances favorable to equestrians from throughout the country, summarizes approaches and actions the local equestrian community can take to foster such ordinances.

Zoning battles can arise in any community.

The problem is serious. It affects the horse industry on a national level and threatens ...

Imagine spending many thousands - or even millions - of dollars to buy land with the goal of stabling your horses on it, only to learn after the fact that the zoning regulations forbid the use you planned. Or worse, imagine having to invest heavily in legal fees, abandon your plans, or sell the property because your dreams cannot become reality.

Horse lands can help provide the land characteristics that are needed to protect stream corridors, define growth boundaries, and create recreational and trail opportunities near growing communities, helping growth to occur without losing equine and open lands.

Conserving equine lands can be accomplished if land use planning balances conservation with the social, economic and environmental needs of rural communities.

Horse lands are part of rural character, but good planning must be in place to protect both. How can both development and land protection be accomplished?

Horse lands are part of rural character, but good planning must be in place to protect both. How can both development and land protection be accomplished?

Agricultural districts are another tool that can be used to great effect in planning for the conservation and protection of working farm lands. Do your state or municipality's agricultural district laws define horse lands and activities as agriculture? Find out more about this important voluntary program.

This report focuses on smart growth strategies that can help guide growth in rural areas while protecting natural and working lands and preserving the rural character of existing communities.

At the 2012 ELCR One-Day Regional Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, Shannon Kettering, ASLA, AICP presented "Using Smart Growth to Conserve Land and Create Equestrian-Friendly Communities." In her presentation, Ms. Kettering discusses the mounting development pressures facing rural communities.

At the 2012 ELCR One-Day Regional Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, Shannon Kettering, ASLA, AICP presented "Using Smart Growth to Conserve Land and Create Equestrian-Friendly Communities." In her presentation, Ms. Kettering discusses the challenges facing rural communities and the techniques that have been used in the Chattahoochee Hill Country to prevent land loss due to urban sprawl. (Steve Nygren's video is a special addition to Shannon Kettering's presentation)

At the 2012 ELCR One-Day Regional Forum in Atlanta, Georgia, Steve Nygren, a developer and conservationist, tells of his work with Shannon Kettering of POND/ECOS Design and the Chattahoochee Hill Country Alliance (CHCA) on the careful planning and conservation-based development of 65,000 acres of rural land in the Chattahoochee Hill Country was initiated. This video accompanies Ms. Kettering's presentation "Using Smart Growth to Create Equestrian-Friendly Communities," about this amazing conservation development.

Sprawling development does not affect just urban and suburban areas. Sprawl is reaching out into the rural environment. Learn how this phenomenon is moving to rural communities everywhere, how it affects agricultural and open lands, including equine lands, and what rights farm and ranch owners have (and which they may be taking for granted). There are specific laws, regulations and tools that are available to help ag lands, and specifically to protect horse lands, facilities, trails.

Once seen as the salvation of horse trials, public lands may offer wonderful competition opportunities -- but they come at a price.

Conservation easements - are they always a key strategy for preserving open space for equestrian use? The public debate in Billings, Montana proves they are not.

The preservation of Callithea Farm came from a handful of equestrian activists along with a concerned Callithea Farm heir. Here's how they made it happen.

The story of how this new competition facility came to be.

Read about this Master Plan for Woodstock Equestrian Park, a 772 acre equine facility located in the northwest corner of Montgomery County. The Plan describes the history, existing elements and uses of this land. Concepts for integration of existing and new facilities and trail systems, planned uses, environmental best management practices, and management/maintenance recommendations are shown. Implementation of the Plan is presented in phases for current and future development, with early phase development focused on trail development and trail access. Adopted by the Montgomery County Planning board in 2002 and amended in 2004.

When thinking of areas branded as "horse towns", Lexington, Kentucky, Ocala, Florida, and Saratoga, New York may immediately come to mind; but undoubtedly worthy of similar mention is Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Do you compete and train at a not for profit, public or quasi-public horse park our fairgrounds? Learn more about how to ensure the future of your favorite venue here.

The excitement builds as you travel to the competition or show.

A green infrastructure plan addresses the interconnected system of natural lands, parks, waterways, farms and historic areas within a community or region. The Saratoga County Green Infrastructure Master Plan is an excellent example of how a well thought out, overall plan can contain language, standards and specifics that benefit and define equine land use, trails and facilities. The community’s green infrastructure network consists of farmland core areas, natural systems hubs, greenway and trail corridors, heritage hubs, green infrastructure gateways and greenway and trail corridors. All of these elements sustain Saratoga County’s environmental health, economy, and quality of life. The plan describes a proposed mid-county equestrian trail and a horse country gateway.

Existing equestrian trail systems can be an important component of the historic context of a community. Equally important for all trail users are the connections that allow access to historic and other important community sites. Horsemen should become familiar with the process of including trail systems and easements in their community’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

Culpeper County, Virginia boasts a plethora of historic sites and the potential for a 20-mile equestrian-friendly trail to connect them. But there are potential issues and conflicts. Read this article from our Spring 2008 newsletter and see how the County’s Comprehensive Plan was updated to include the establishment of trails within new development and trail connections to historic sites, in Chapter 6AExerpts.

Queen Creek’s 2005 master plan for parks, trails and open space contains a number of goals, objectives and policies, action plan items and implementation plan projects dedicated to preserving or creating equestrian trails and facilities. Of note is the proposed Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Center that opened in 2009. The plan is broken down into individual pdf’s for easier download and reading. All sections contain some planning information on the Equestrian Center, but the Implementation section contains plan specifics.

See below for a guide to the equestrian-related items in the Master Plan (items summarized). Refer to the Master Plan for other related elements and recommendations.

PART 3. VISION AND GOALS (pp. 3.11-13)
GOAL 1 Create a comprehensive trail system within the Queen Creek planning area.
Objective 1.1 Develop neighborhood to rec. facilities links (including equestrian).
Policy 1.1.1 Develop trail links between parks, activity areas, open space (including equestrian).
Policy 1.1.3 Ensure equestrian trail link to neighborhoods.
Policy 1.1.4 Develop a safe standard equestrian intersection crossing
Policy 1.1.5 Road crossings: accommodate trails and minimize natural area disturbance.
Policy 1.1.8 Use Buffering and land-use transition for equestrian neighborhoods.
olicy 1.1.9 New Development requirement to link trails, neighborhood, open space.
Policy 1.1.12 Connect equestrian subdivisions to equestrian facilities and parks via Equestrian trails. San Tan Mountain Regional Park and Queen Creek and Sonoqui washes.
Objective 1.2 Link Queen Creek’s trail system to systems in surrounding communities
Policy 1.2.1 Develop equestrian, pedestrian and bicycle connections between Queen Creek and Gilbert along the Queen Creek and Sonoqui washes.
Objective 2.2 The Parks and Recreation Department and Planning Department to ensure critical connections in the Town’s multimodal circulation system are not interrupted or cut-off by land uses.
Policy 2.2.1 Plan for trail connections and facilities (including equestrian)
Policy 2.2.2 Requirement for development to provide trail connections
GOAL 3 Park system to meet community recreational needs
Objective 3.2 Provide easily accessible and well-located recreation facilities.
Policy 3.2.1 Provide routes to all community parks (including equestrian).
Policy 3.2.2. Provide facilities in all community parks.
GOAL 10 Preserve the open space, ag& rural character of the Town of Queen Creek (p. 18).
PART 4. EXISTING CONDITIONS
Master Plan: Horseshoe Park and Equestrian Centre - planned special purpose community park.
PART 8. IMPLEMENTATION
Master Plan recommendations
PART 9. GUIDELINES
Neighborhood Equestrian Park/Trailhead.

Corlands is the acquisition arm of the Openlands Project, based in the greater Chicagoland area. Much of their operations and research is directly applicable to all areas of the country - whether city, suburban, or countryside.

Paying attention to equine-related state legislation is good. Advocating to get helpful legislation introduced for consideration is great. But putting careful thought into the intent, wording and implications of your proposed legislation AND connecting with potential opposition is smart, and may help you and your legislation to accomplish your original purpose.

Public land management agencies periodically update their management plans. That’s a good time to make your equine wants and needs known to them. Communicating on a positive level with land managers will make everyone’s task more pleasant and productive. Here’s a letter writing framework for writing to land managers to promote your equine trails use needs.

This document is a good example of an intergovernmental agreement that allowed for an equestrian facility located on Forest Preserve and Municipal property to continue as a formally acknowledged equestrian facility and trail system with access to a 3900 acre preserve. The preserve was set aside by the County in the early 1950’s, and was utilized and maintained by local equine clubs. Here is the resulting agreement, approved in 2006.