Living with Horses in Los Angeles County
Yes, Virgina, There are Horses in Los Angeles County!
Nov 7, 2008
There are a wealth of horse shows, trainers, and places to board, ride and train. Combine that with the great weather, and Los Angeles County is a great place to live with horses.
Horse Friendly Cities and Communities
Burbank is famously horsey. Not only are there a number of stables, but residents can keep horses in their backyards. It’s not unusual to see a rider lead her horse out of her backyard and through the garage, then mount up and ride down the road to get to the trails. There are even cross walk signal buttons at a convenient height for pushing the button from the back of a horse, and bikes share their lane with horses.
Unlike their country cousins, horses who live in the city are exposed to all manner of noises and sites, giving them an advantage in hectic circumstances. Horses in L.A. are exposed to not only traffic sights and sounds, but they can hear the wild animals in Griffith Park zoo.
Boarding and Training in Los Angeles County
There are many opportunities for boarding and training in Los Angeles County. While prices are a bit higher than other areas of the state, there are many facilities to choose from. The Los Angeles Equestrian Center (LAEC) alone houses 600 horses—and can swell to close to 2000 during a big show. The only thing you’ll find very little of is pasture, as land is at a premium.
Some of the best trainers, particularly in hunter/jumper, dressage, and eventing, make their home in L.A. County. You will also find every breed and type of horse here, from free to priceless, Mustang to Warmblood and everything in between.
Horse Clubs, Shows and Events in Los Angeles County
If you have the inclination, you can find a show almost any weekend in L.A. County. For hunter/jumpers, the season runs almost year-round. “A” circuit shows can be found at LAEC, Flintridge Riding Club, and Hansen Dam Equestrian Center, while the Paddock Riding Club and Camelot host “B” and “C” circuit shows. However, most shows are rated and there are few affordable schooling shows. Breed and local associations host many shows here. You’ll find shows in Glendora, Azusa, San Dimas, Burbank, and more. Many more shows are within a few hours’ drive.
Horse shows in L.A. County are highly competitive. At many dressage shows, you will find the top 10 riders in the US, such as Gunther Seidel, Steffan Peters, Krisi Harrison-Naness, and Debbie McDonald.
Race fans have two tracks to choose from. Santa Anita Park, located in Arcadia, is a 320-acre facility that houses as many as 1,800 thoroughbreds at any given time. With minimum bets at $2, you can have a little bit of gambling fun without breaking the bank (if you’re conservative, that is!). There is great food to be had both from the vendors and from the clubhouse, but be sure to check the dress code if you choose the latter. Alternatively, bring a picnic and eat outside while you admire the spectacular view of the mountains. Slightly smaller at 140 acres, Hollywood Park offers live racing Wednesday through Sunday.
Horse Necessities
Horse lovers will find just about anything they need here in Los Angeles County. There are a number of tack shops, and an abundance of quality farriers and veterinarians. For more serious medical troubles, there are excellent equine hospitals in Chino and Alamo.
Trails and Places to Ride
Don’t let the freeways and malls fool you, there are still plenty of places to ride your horse in Los Angeles County, whether in an arena or on the trails. Griffith Park, bordering Hollywood and Burbank, lies in the heart of the city, boasting about 50 miles of well-groomed trails. If you need to leave your equine friend behind for some fun with the family, Griffith Park also offers three golf courses, tennis courts, a zoo, museums, picnic areas, and more. The riding trails pass near many of these attractions, giving your horse a chance to see a variety of interesting sites. If you don’t have a horse yet, you can rent a horse or let your child enjoy the pony rides.
There are also planned communities that offer horse trails, such as Hidden Hills, Shadow Hills, and Chatsworth. And, if you’re willing to haul, there are some wonderful areas to trail ride in Malibu State Park and the Santa Monica mountains, which boast the most prominent connected park system in the San Fernando Valley.
As you can see, Los Angeles County offers everything a horse lover could want. Area horse lover Carol Kennedy notes, “You can have the best of the best if you can afford it or a great time on your trail horse....whatever you want...it's all here.”
