urbanhorsecommunities

Urban Horse communities

THE URBAN HORSE COMMUNITY DEFINED: There are many horse communities throughout the United States and in other countries. But these are often in rural areas with wide open spaces and land. An "urban horse community" is defined as a community, that allows horses in barns and stables in the backyards of single-family homes. The urban horse community is also more densely populated, with homes closer together, and as a result allows those with horses to ride on local city streets, while following road safety laws similar to that of a bicyclist or pedestrian. The streets in these communities lead to public bridle trails, arenas, and parks (see Residential Equestrian Horse Crossing Maps at bottom of page or "click here" to view and download).

URBAN HORSE COMMUNITIES IN LOS ANGELES: There are three "urban horse communities" in Los Angeles County. These include the City of Glendale, Riverside Rancho; the City of Burbank, Rancho Equestrian District; and the City of Los Angeles, Atwater Village Equestrian District. These three equestrian communities have city streets and bridle trails that lead to 55-miles of trails within the 4,310 acres of Griffith Park, and adjacent to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center (also in Griffith Park). These are among the most unique and oldest horse communities in the Los Angeles area, and the only known urban horse communities in the United States. Historically, horses have continually been on the land in these communities, since 1849 as part of Rancho La Providencia.

URBAN HORSE COMMUNITY TRAFFIC AND EQUESTRIAN SAFETY: While these urban horse communities are unique, due to their proximity to metropolitan Los Angeles, the natural behavior of horses makes these communities even more sensitive to cumulative impacts from urban development (Williams, 2004). When equestrians and their horses interact on public streets with other users, the risk of injury and fatality is increased significantly. While crashworthiness research has provided motor vehicles with improved vehicle design and occupant protection countermeasures to improve passenger safety, when a horse reacts to fear, motor vehicle occupants are also at risk. Equestrians and their horse can be hit by motor vehicles, and/or thrown off their horse into traffic. While data variables that record injury and fatality data among road users, these are generally pedestrian, bicyclists, and other wheeled vehicles such motorcycles or scooters. These are classified as vulnerable road users, similarly to equestrian and equine road users in an urban rancho. Local surveys of residential and other equestrians in these ranchos have reported equine fatalities and equestrian injury, as a result of loud noises, or drivers driving too fast or being distracted. These urban horse communities need to collect surveillance data elements to record injury and fatality data among both equine and equestrian as a result from motor vehicle and equine interactions.

Horses are sensitive to sudden movements, flashes, sounds, smells, and even vibrations. As a prey animal, horses utilize flight before fight for their survival. Because horses are also herd animals, when one horse runs in fear, others can follow. Even the most experienced equestrian with a well-trained horse, can have difficulty controlling a horse that has exhibited a fear response. Horses are highly sensitive, but yet strong and powerful. They can weight between 1,500 to over 2,500 pounds depending on the breed. When a horse senses danger, whether perceived or real danger, they bolt, running blind to escape and survive, without any thought or regard to its own safety or others (Kinsey & Denison, 2008). This can include running into traffic, running over a vehicle and stepping through windshields, or crashing through windshields (see December 29, 2022 crash), putting occupants as well as other road users at risk. In addition to equestrians with their horses on the roadway, the sudden backfire or loud muffler from a vehicle, or vibrations from construction equipment or noise from construction vehicles, can also trigger a fear response among horses in backyard barns, horses that are boarded at commercial stables, and even those ridden by novice riders at horse rental facilities or children's riding camps, and those on neighboring trails. These horses can also buck the rider, or run with the rider, while running from unknown fear, crashing through fences and gates, and running into traffic, other road users, or other riders.

In addition to case reports in the local ranchos, research on horse-human interaction studies have validated associated risk factors with vehicle-equestrian injury and fatalities on public roadways. Studies have suggested that speed, roadway width, visibility, and mutual misunderstanding between the driver and equestrian, are the leading factors that contribute to crashes and near-crashes between motor vehicle and equestrian road users, that lead to human and horse fatalities (Thompson & Matthews, 2015). Studies have found that 84.2% of drivers passed the horse on the roadway too close, followed by road rage at 40.3%, and speeding at 40.1%. Specific to urban ranchos with smaller, more narrow streets, and those with higher volumes such as on Riverside Drive, Main Street, Western Avenue, and Victory Boulevard, research findings further suggest that close passing distance (odds ratio [OR] 18.3, 95%) confidence interval [CI] and in combination with speeding (OR 4.4, CI 1.7, 11.7) is associated with a greater-collision-odds, compared to speeding (Pollard & Grewar, 2020). Studies have also shown the need to increase awareness on the risks and needs, of horse users and other road users such as motor vehicle and bicyclists, to better understand and acknowledge rules and regulations for drivers and equestrians on these urban horse community roadways (Simsekoglu et al., 2020). However while signage and education can help increase awareness, in an urban setting street design and traffic calming can be the best approach. Preventive and planning mitigation measures also include educating drivers, bicyclists, and equestrians on roadway use, as well as transportation planning and development. As suggested by Simsekoglu et al. (2020) in Norway, this also applies to these three urban horse communities in Los Angeles County. Whereas, these concerns need to be addressed with traffic safety researchers, driver education, law enforcement, and local policymakers within each city (Los Angeles, Glendale, and Burbank).

Roadway design, vehicle speed, and volume of traffic on local, collector, and arterial streets are contributing factors that must be addressed in project development review and during construction, and traffic and circulation elements of local zoning and general plans in order to mitigate risks of injury and fatality to these communities. There are transportation and highway safety grants available to public agencies in these communities, to accomplish these preventive risks and mitigation measures. These include California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), California, Department of Public Health, Kids Plates, and National Safety Council. Local agencies can reach out to us to assist.

To help reduce cumulative health and safety risks to both humans and animals, to protect horse businesses and workers, equestrians and the general public, the Rancho Community Protection Agency (RCPA) has been formed to improve communication between these communities and local and regional representatives. The following research and education by Public Health Behavior Solutions, help prevent injury and fatality risks within these urban horse communities.

PUBLIC SAFETY IN HORSE COMMUNITIES

Safety on the road

California Vehicle Code, Section 21759, requires, "The driver of any vehicle approaching any horse drawn vehicle, any ridden animal 'horse', or any livestock shall exercise proper control of his vehicle and shall reduce speed or stop as may appear necessary or as may be signalled or otherwise requested by any person driving, riding or in charge of the animal or livestock in order to avoid frightening and to safeguard the animal or livestock and to insure the safety of any person driving or riding the animal or in charge of the livestock."

The following educational handout and road signage, help inform those who have not driven in the urban horse community so they know how to drive safety when approaching a horse or horse carriage on the road. These are helpful to real estate companies to provide to those new in the community either renting or have purchased a home. These are also used for community event planning, local horse rental facilities, and other equine related stables that provide lessons, etc. Please select below to download, print and handout accordingly. For businesses or event planners these can also be posted on the appropriate website.

Educational Handout

Road Signage

firework safety

Educational handouts are available for each individual city (Glendale, Burbank and Los Angeles), whereas the effects of firework activity, affects all three ranchos. Horses are affected within a mile radius of any fireworks.

Illegal fireworks are most problematic, because these fireworks are ignited at various, unknown times. The flyer below, can be downloaded, printed and distributed within each community to help educate the community of the risks of fireworks adjacent or within the horse community.

For community fireworks events, it is beneficial for horse owners and commercial stables, to collaborate with each city permit event coordinator regarding planning fireworks events so as a horse community we can plan ahead but also inform the city of potential risks.

planning AND RESEARCH

This page provides reports, resources, research and information, regarding planning, and historic preservation efforts (click to view page).

RESIDENTIAL EQUESTRIAN HORSE CROSSING MAPS- GLENDALE AND BURBANK

(See bottom of page and "click here" to download)

Urban Barn Location:
Natural Ventilation and Sunlight on Equine Health

Backyard barns, built at the back of homes allow necessary space to provide natural ventilation and sunlight to support equine health.

The purpose of this document is to provide decision makers in Glendale, Burbank and Los Angeles, with a resource, so they have a better understanding on the physical location, and the importance of proper ventilation and sunlight, for backyard urban barns. This is particularly significant among accessory dwelling units (ADUs) where a tall ADU can block natural ventilation and sunlight to neighboring barns.

Click above to view document

RESIDENTIAL EQUESTRIAN HORSE CROSSING MAPS- gLENDALE AND bURBANK

References

Dalland, E. B., & Robertsen, K. (2020). Predictors of perceived road collision/incident risk among horse users: A survey study from Norway. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and
           Behaviour, 74, 248–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2020.08.022
Kinsey, M., & Denison, J. (2009). Backcountry Basics: Your Guide To Solving Problems On The Trail (First). Western Horseman
Pollard, D., & Grewar, J. D. (2020). Equestrian Road Safety in the United Kingdom: Factors Associated with Collisions and Horse Fatalities. Animals, 10(12), 2403. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122403
Thompson, K., & Matthews, C. (2015). Inroads into Equestrian Safety: Rider-Reported Factors Contributing to Horse-Related Accidents and Near Misses on Australian Roads. Animals: an open access
           journal from MDPI, 5(3), 592–609. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani5030374
Williams, C.A., The Basics of Equine Behavior | Equine Science Center. (2004). Retrieved November 5, 2022, from https://esc.rutgers.edu/fact_sheet/the-basics-of-equine-behavior

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