History

By Judy Williams & Michael Murphy, Edited by Ed Weber

Founding

In February, 1993, a public meeting was held at the Sebastopol Veterans Memorial Building to examine the idea of forming a Council to represent the equestrian community in Sonoma County.  The main force behind the organization of this meeting was Amy Lambrozo. Approximately 200 people attended that first-ever meeting of Sonoma County horse folks.

The urgency of this general meeting and the large turnout were a direct response by equestrians to pending action by the Sonoma County Planning Department to require all horse boarding and training facilities to apply for Use Permits.  This would newly require expensive inspections by numerous county agencies, which could force stables into upgrades in septic, bathroom and other facilities. It was the consensus of those gathered that these regulations might well have destroyed the local equine industry and forced many horse facilities out of business.

At a second meeting a few weeks later a Board of Directors was designated and Michael Murphy was unanimously elected as the first President. Subsequently, the SC Horse Council was incorporated as a non-profit organization and a Mission Statement and by-laws were written.

Negotiation

The first order of business for the newly established Sonoma County Horse Council was to negotiate a more reasonable regulation with the County. Smaller boarding and training facilities would pay only $15.00 for a zoning permit in order to continue their businesses. Large equestrian facilities that held shows and clinics would be required to obtain a Use Permit. More severe restrictions first proposed by the County were modified or dropped.

Partnerships

The SCHC immediately established a close working relationship with the Farm Bureau to partner on agricultural issues that impact the horse industry. Both organizations believe that maintaining land in agricultural use preserves the quality of life in Sonoma County. The Council holds its regular monthly meetings at 7pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the Farm Bureau offices in Santa Rosa.

The Horse Council has continued to maintain good working relationships with the Board of Supervisors and key county agencies to insure they remain responsive to the needs of the equestrian community when dealing with various zoning, planning, environmental, open space, land use and recreation issues.

Other partners include California parks personnel, The Sonoma County Land Trust, LandPaths, and the 36+ horse clubs who speak as one voice through the SC Horse Council.

Horse Population Research

Early on, to validate the significance of horses locally, a first comprehensive study was undertaken to measure the economic impact of the horse industry in Sonoma County. Dr. Carlos Benito, Economic Department Chair, and Dr. Steve Orlick, Head of the Planning Department at Sonoma State University, agreed to conduct this study. A head count of all the horses in the County was made by a huge contingent of volunteers, under the direction of Dr. Orlick. Results of this study were first made available in 1995, and a comprehensive analysis was published in 1998. Results from the most recent survey are expected to be reported from SSU in the near future.

The numbers continue to be amazing! With a capital stock value (all horses, land, buildings and equipment) of nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars, the equestrian community currently generates a production value of more than $200 million dollars. When its multiplier effect on other sectors of the economy is added, the impact of the equestrian sector is over one quarter of a billion dollars a year, making it the second largest agricultural industry in Sonoma County after grape and wine production.

15,000 Horses and Growing

We currently project around 15,000 horses in the county with a capital value of more than $100 million dollars. The value of the land used in commercial horse operations and for backyard horses is well over $500 million dollars. The original report stated that the economic, environmental and political significance of the newly measured equestrian sector calls for Sonoma County to generate policies and plans that support and sustain its operation.

In view of the substantial contribution to the county's economy, local government and parks policies are generally in support of expanding areas for horseback riding as important for the maintenance and growth of this significant industry. Equestrian activities help to sustain the rural ambiance of the county, contributing to Sonoma County’s quality of life by preserving the equestrian tradition of the American culture.

The SCHC continually works with all relevant public agencies to acquire and develop equestrian (multi-use) trails in Sonoma County. SCHC representatives are most often present at relevant public meetings to let the views of the horse community be known; that is, to keep existing trails open for equestrians and add additional trails in newly acquired properties and in existing parks where feasible. Following the amazing approval by local voters of a special tax, the Sonoma County Open Space District's new Acquisition Plan 2000 was formulated. The SCHC assisted in developing an operating principle that newly acquired properties should be open to the public with more trails for equestrians and multi-use.

Always Showing Up for the Horse

In 2001 the CA Parks & Recreation Department, with hardly any public input, presented a plan to replace many of the wider old farm and fire roads and trails in Annadel State Park with narrow multi-use trails that did not meet DPR specifications for width and clearance. Because of the very heavy bicycle usage on these trails, the Horse Council was concerned about the safety aspect for all trail users. Although the SCHC didn't get everything it advocated,  some widening and improvements were made by DPR. The SCHC has also been proactive regarding trail issues for equestrians in Sugarloaf Park, Hood, McCormick, the Johnson property, as well as in other State and County Parks. SCHC members have attended the scoping meetings for the Sugarloaf General Plan to insure that equestrians' needs are met.

The Horse as Agriculture

What “Horses As Ag” Means In Sonoma County There are some clear benefits and some uncertainty. by John Strassburger

Published in the Spring issue of the Sonoma County Horse Journal It’s a war that Michael Murphy, the Sonoma County Horse Council’s advisory chairman, has been waging for about 15 years, and the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors’ decision in December to amend the General Plan was a major victory for horse owners.

The General Plan, the document that sets policy for all land-use and real-estate decisions by county elected officials and the staff, now classifies horses as livestock and, thus, horse properties as agricultural properties. Changing this document’s definition was certainly a key battle, a turning point for horse owners. “It’s a stepping stone,” recalled Murphy, noting that convincing the county’s leaders to legally consider horses as livestock was the main reason he and others formed the Sonoma County Horse Council in 1993.

The updated General Plan now states: “GOAL—Provide for the raising of horses in the same manner as the production of other agricultural products.

“Objective 1. Allow the raising of horses and related facilities and activities in all agricultural areas.

“Objective 2. Provide opportunities for the development of support facilities for the horse industry on appropriate lands, consistent with best management practices. “The following policy shall be used to … permit raising of horses and related facilities in the same manner as other agriculture production uses

.” Sidebar 2 Benefits Of Agricultural Classification The main benefit Sonoma County horse owners will feel from the reclassification of horses as livestock is that farm owners can apply for federal and state grants for a wide range of property improvements. These include fencing, building bridges over or putting culverts in streams to protect them, even building run-in sheds or maintaining barns. Similarly, recognition as livestock means that horses can be part of the agricultural development promoted by the California Farm Bureau and its county chapters. The reclassification also means that horse owners can apply for disaster relief. This could be a great help for horse owners following floods, fire or earthquake. It should also bring tax advantages to horse farm owners, although the administrative steps to accomplish this are just beginning. Of less tangible economic effect are that it guarantees that horse owners can be included in programs to develop parks and similar open-space projects. Full Article Here...

Continuing Efforts

In 2002 the HC put on the first of several courses for emergency first responders,

in rescue techniques for horse trailer accidents and handling horses in emergency situations. This was held at Silver Spur Ranch in Santa Rosa whose facilities and horses were generously offered by Phil Brady and Michelle Berg.

Every year since 2002, The SCHC has designated the regular February meeting as “Horse Club Presidents' Night.” Presidents and other members of all the horse organizations in Sonoma County are invited and encouraged to share their concerns, desires and goals for the horse community, and to keep their members informed of current issues and the activities of the Horse Council.

In 2004, several well-attended open meetings were held for equestrians at the Farm Bureau conference room. At each meeting, close to 100 in attendance from all disciplines had a chance to speak their minds on current issues.

In February, 2004, our guest speaker was Steve Olsen from Santa Rosa Junior College, who spoke on the new Agricultural Center being developed at the Shone Ranch, operated by the JC. Equestrian use was discussed, as was the design element. The Horse Council subsequently provided a design consultant

with horse facility experience to work on the project as it developed.

In May of 2004, the Horse Council board wanted to stimulate the declining participation of horses in local parades. Under the SCHC banner, members of local horse clubs rode together in the parade as one group, with 20 horses performing flawlessly. That September, the SCHC entered another large contingent of

riders from mixed disciplines, including draft horses and miniatures, in Santa Rosa’s newest parade, The International Parade down Sebastopol Road. The SCHC encourages that all clubs participate in public events as much as possible, in order to keep the horse in front of the community.

In late Summer of 2004, the Horse Council Board endorsed Karl Bastian’s concept to create a gala annual event at which the equestrian community could honor those key individuals who have done so much over the years to promote the success of our recreational industry. Thus, the first annual Equus Hall of Fame Awards is presented here tonight, as we join together in celebration of the horse in Sonoma County.

Public Services of the Horse Council:

• Placement of rescued horses
• Emergency disaster help
• Monitoring horse related regulations
• Facilities protection
• Promoting additional trails and open space
• Educate and inform members and public

SCHC Contact List