Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove have long been horse-friendly communities, where keeping large animals is both a privilege and a responsibility.

As horse owners, we are entrusted with the care and well-being of our animals. This includes providing safe, healthy, and humane conditions while ensuring that our horses do not negatively impact our neighbors or the surrounding community.

Responsible ownership and respect for others are the foundations that allow horse owners to preserve the rural character of our communities and maintain the tradition of horse keeping for future generations.

Horse Ownership Do’s & Dont’s

• Provide adequate space for your horses. Avoid overcrowding your property with more animals than the land can responsibly support. Horses are naturally active animals, and keeping them confined in small pipe corrals for extended periods does not meet their physical and behavioral needs.

• Provide protection from the elements. Horses need access to appropriate shelter from sun, rain, wind, and extreme weather conditions.

• Maintain safe fencing. Proper fencing is essential to protect horses from injury and to ensure they remain safely contained.

• Provide clean, fresh water at all times. Adequate hydration is critical to your horse's health and well-being.

• Provide sufficient, appropriate nutrition. Horses require enough quality forage and feed to maintain good health.

• Recognize their social needs. Horses are herd animals and thrive with companionship. Whenever possible, they should have the ability to see and interact with other horses rather than being isolated.

• Communicate with your neighbors. A good relationship with those around you helps address concerns and promotes a respectful horse-friendly community.

• Be considerate when riding. Share the trails, respect other users, and help preserve the enjoyable rural character that makes Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove special. Provide plenty of space for horses, don’t overcrowd your property with too many horses! Consider that keeping your horses in small pipe corrals 24 hours a day is not in their nature!
  

New Equine Ordinance

Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove have a long tradition of responsible horse and large animal ownership. Our Community Plan recognizes this rural heritage and provides for equestrian and large animal keeping when practiced with responsible husbandry. Policy LU-1.3.1 specifically supports the responsible keeping of horses and other large animals within the community.

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/pds/docs/CP/Elfin-Forest-Harmony-Grove-CP.pdf

The County of San Diego's Equine Ordinance establishes regulations intended to balance the rights of property owners with the need to protect animal welfare, neighboring properties, and the rural character of the community. Horse owners and large animal keepers are encouraged to understand and follow these requirements.

For additional information, residents can review the County's current Equine Ordinance resources and regulations through the County of San Diego Planning & Development Services website.

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/pds/advance/Equine.html

Emergency Animal Evacuations

We live in a high fire-risk area.

Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove are located in a high fire-risk area. Anyone who keeps horses or other large animals must recognize this reality and take responsibility for having a safe and effective evacuation plan.

Horse owners are responsible for evacuating their own animals. Preparation before an emergency is essential.

What does this mean?

• Keep only as many horses or large animals as you can safely evacuate. Do not maintain more animals than you have the ability and resources to move during a fire emergency.

• Have a plan and the necessary transportation available. Ensure you have enough trailer capacity, or reliable arrangements with others, to evacuate all of your animals. During an active evacuation, there may not be time to make multiple trips.

• When an evacuation order is issued, leave immediately. Waiting to see what happens can put your life, your family's safety, your animals, and emergency responders at unnecessary risk.

• Be considerate of neighbors during evacuations. Many Elfin Forest roads are narrow and privately maintained. When loading trailers, avoid blocking roadways and interfering with others who are trying to evacuate.

• Maintain adequate off-street parking and loading areas on your property. This allows you to safely prepare your animals for transport without restricting access for neighbors and emergency vehicles.

Advance planning and responsible preparation are essential to protecting both people and animals during wildfire emergencies. A community where everyone is prepared is a safer community for all.