Chapter 13.5Horses and Other Equine Animals

Section § 25988

Explanation

This law allows certain officers to issue citations to people or businesses that rent out horses if they fail to care for the horses properly. The rules include keeping enclosures clean and big enough, ensuring horses have adequate space to move, preventing injuries by removing sharp objects, and providing proper food, water, and equipment. Horses should be properly cooled after use, have access to shelter when not ridden, and free from any harmful physical conditions.

They must not be rented if they have injuries or health issues, such as sores, blindness, or poorly maintained hooves. Each horse must be uniquely identifiable with descriptions and photographs, and records of veterinary or farrier treatments must be kept and shown to officers. If records are missing, the horse cannot be rented until proof of good health is provided.

A peace officer, officer of a humane society as qualified under Section 14502 or 14503 of the Corporations Code, or officer of an animal control or animal regulation department of a public agency, as qualified under Section 830.9 of the Penal Code, may issue a citation as prescribed in Section 25988.5, to a person or entity keeping horses or other equine animals for hire, if the person or entity fails to meet any of the following standards of humane treatment regarding the keeping of horses or other equine animals:
(a)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(a)  Any enclosure where an equine is primarily kept shall be of sufficient size to enable the equine to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down, and shall be kept free of excessive urine and waste matter.
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(b)  Paddocks and corrals shall be of adequate size for the equine to move about freely.
(c)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(c)  Buildings, premises, and conveyances used in conjunction with equines shall be kept free of sharp objects, protrusions, or other materials that are likely to cause injury.
(d)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(d)  Equines shall be supplied with nutritionally adequate feed and clean water, in accordance with standards in “A Guide: Minimum Standards of Horse Care in the State of California” published by the Center for Equine Health of the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of California, Davis.
(e)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(e)  Tack and equipment shall be appropriate and fit properly.
(f)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(f)  After use, the equine shall be cooled out to a normal condition at rest.
(g)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(g)  When not being ridden, a saddled equine shall have available adequate shelter from the elements and have loosened saddle straps and girths.
(h)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(h)  An equine shall not be available for hire or use if the equine has any conditions that violate subdivision (b) of Section 597 or Section 597.1 of the Penal Code or any of the following conditions:
(1)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(h)(1)  Sores or abrasions caused or likely to be irritated by the surfaces of saddles, girths, harnesses, or bridles.
(2)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(h)(2)  Blindness in both eyes.
(3)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(h)(3)  Improperly or inadequately trimmed and shod feet contrary to the standards regarding hoof care included in “A Guide: Minimum Standards of Horse Care in the State of California” published by the Center for Equine Health of the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of California, Davis.
(i)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(i)  Each equine shall be individually identified through the use of humane methods, such as a detailed description, including, but not limited to, name, breed, color, markings, size, age, sex, and photograph.
(j)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(j)  Farrier and veterinary receipts shall be kept, and shall identify each equine treated.
(k)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988(k)  Veterinary, farrier, and feed records shall be made available during normal business hours to the law enforcement officer. Upon failure to provide these records, the equine or equines in question may not be used for hire until the records are produced or an equine veterinarian certifies that the equine or equines are fit for labor.
humane treatment of horses equine care standards horse enclosure requirements paddock size adequate feed and water equine equipment fit shelter for horses horse health conditions visible horse identification veterinary records access equine condition for hire blindness in horses hooves trimming standards animal control citations law enforcement inspection
(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 331, Sec. 2.5. (SB 787) Effective January 1, 2020.)

Section § 25988.5

Explanation

If someone is cited under Section 25988, they have to pay a civil fine of $100 for each violation. Additionally, they must also pay $100 for every day the violation continues.

The district attorney or city attorney, depending on where the violation happened, can prosecute anyone violating this section.

(a)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988.5(a)  Citations issued pursuant to Section 25988 shall require the person cited to pay a civil penalty in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) for each violation, and one hundred dollars ($100) for each day the violation continues.
(b)CA Health and Safety Code § 25988.5(b)  Any person who violates Section 25988 may be prosecuted by the district attorney of the county in which the violation occurred or the city attorney of the city in which the violation occurred.
civil penalty daily fine violation continuation district attorney prosecution city attorney enforcement Section 25988 penalties health and safety compliance ongoing violation legal citation prosecution authority enforcement of violations continuing offenses financial penalties legal prosecution HSC violations
(Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 747, Sec. 5.)