San Francisco residents, animal welfare advocates, and nature lovers unite. Call upon San Francisco Parks to end the current for-profit horseback rides. It is time to prioritize the well-being of working horses and protect the natural beauty of City parks. Any equestrian operation in the parks needs to have animal welfare and public safety, not corporate profit, as the first priority. Equestrian advocates have been trying, since 2019, to politely work with SF Parks to improve oversight of the equestrian operation. Our efforts were not successful. So we need the public to start making some noise.

1. Exploitation of Horses:
For-profit horse businesses often subject these magnificent animals to long hours of work, enduring repetitive routes with few breaks throughout the day. This exploitation can lead to physical strain, exhaustion, and even injury for these creatures. The horses working in Golden Gate Park have been reported as living in filthy conditions, being lame, unable to stand, and displaying obvious injuries. 

Animal control investigation:

2. Environmental Impact:
Horses used in these concessions can contribute significantly to environmental degradation within our parks. If not taken care of properly, livestock manure and waste can cause a nuisance that impacts enjoyable park recreation, can harm delicate ecosystems, and pose a threat to public health. The current operator has been cited by San Francisco public health for failing to properly manage manure.

3. Safety Concerns:
The presence of horses in crowded park areas also creates potential safety risks for both visitors and the horses. Accidents involving horses have occurred in the past due to unpredictable conditions as well as inadequate training methods employed by some trail ride operators. Two recent incident reports indicate children were thrown off by horses who got spooked by everyday activities in the park.

Incident report from a park visitor:

4. Exploitation of People:
The operator running the trail riding business in Golden Gate Park has been sued in a class action for non-payment of wages, sued for personal injury due to a horse-related accident, and been fined by OSHA. As a general rule, people who don't take good care of animals often don't treat people very well either.

Ashley Hassmer v. Chaparral Country Corporation, San Francisco Superior Court:

 

5. Lack of Public Feedback and Oversight:
What started as a "six-month pilot program" for this concession has now been permitted for four years, with no public feedback, and no oversight by either the Board of Supervisors or the San Francisco Commission for Animal Control and Welfare. In addition to a large number of horses living in the park, the for-profit business has been given free rein to allow chain link fencing, mobile homes for their staff to receive free housing, at no cost, degrading park property.

Chaparral encampment in Golden Gate Park:

 

 

By signing this petition, we urge San Francisco Parks officials to take immediate action by:

- Take a pause and stop renewing the existing for-profit horse concession permit until there is an opportunity for feedback from equestrian experts and the riding public.
- Developing proper regulations and guidelines in the City of San Francisco to ensure horse welfare, which includes funding for sufficient oversight from animal welfare professionals.
- Do a proper RFP process for a non-profit concession with guidance from equestrian experts, other cities and counties with equestrian facilities, and feedback from the public.

Together, let's prioritize the well-being of our equine friends and protect the natural beauty of our parks. Sign this petition to ensure any horse riding concession in San Francisco Golden Gate Park has the best quality standards for horses and riders!