Planning and Zoning Guide For Horse Friendly Communities
Photo Credit: Brittany Bevis
Planning and zoning decisions can affect how land is taxed, what it may be used for, and which standards and regulations are applied to it. These regulations determine not only whether individuals may keep horses on their own property, but also whether horses have access to community parks and trails.
Since land is saved locally it is vital that horsemen understand the basics of planning and zoning and how this impacts horse keeping, breeding, competing and recreating, as well as equine related businesses in their communities, in order to retain access to horses and enjoy their benefits.
Horsemen can find the resources they need to understand land use planning, zoning ordinances, and their implications for horses and horse-related activities on the Equine Land conservation Resources (ELCR) website www.elcr.org under Planning for Horses in Your Community. With support from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation, Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, Mars Foundation and a recent crowd funding campaign the following new resources are now available on-line:
- Seven Steps to Influencing Horse-Friendly Planning for Horsemen (a planning and zoning resource for Horsemen)
- Seven Steps to Planning for an Equestrian-Friendly Community (a planning and zoning resource for community leaders and planners) and
- Planning and Zoning Guide for Horse Friendly Communities(a comprehensive guide to planning and zoning for horsemen)
The Planning and Zoning Guide is an important comprehensive resource for horsemen providing users with the tools they need to understand comprehensive planning, land use mapping, zoning ordinances, and the effects of these on horse keeping and other horse-related activities within their own local communities. The information will help them to be engaged in the process, to activate their equine community and to educate planners and decision makers on the benefits of horses in their communities.
About the Equine Land Conservation Resource (ELCR): The Equine Land Conservation Resource builds awareness of the loss of lands available for horse-related activities and facilitates the protection and preservation of those lands. We work to ensure America’s equine heritage lives on and the emotional, physical and economic benefits of the horse-human relationship remains accessible. ELCR serves as an information resource and clearinghouse on issues related to conserving horse properties, land use planning, land stewardship/best management practices, trails, liability and equine economic development. For more information about the ELCR visit our website at www.elcr.org or call (859) 455-8383.
