Horse rides on beaches, trails will continue

In response to complaints from residents about horse manure on the trail, as well as concerns around negative horse interactions with off-leash dogs on the beach, the ranch changed its policies, limiting the number of tours each day to avoid dog-related conflict. 

Per its 2020 contract with the city, Sea Horse Ranch also became responsible for removing all horse manure from premises where it runs trail and beach rides, regardless of the source, on days when it operates. 

Mayor Robert Brownstone commended Willa Chapman, Sea Horse Ranch general manager, on resolving the issues previously brought up by community members, including the manure and dog conflicts. 

“I remember six years ago, there's some issues, we talked about it, and … they were really all well-resolved,” he said. “It’s just a great attraction to have here on the coast and I’m glad you’re still here.” 

The ranch is asking for some modifications to its contract, including permission to plan their own manure pick-up schedule rather than following prescribed times. Councilmember Deborah Penrose said she would be on board with the change if there was a check-in at the one-year mark to ensure manure was still being properly dealt with. 

The new contract, which would extend through December 2030, would also reduce the fees Sea Horse Ranch pays to the city. Rather than the current 5% of gross profits, the business would pay the city $13,117 — based roughly on 3% of its gross profits — for the first year of the contract. In each remaining year of the contract, that $13,117 number would increase by 3%. 

Sea Horse Ranch has been struggling with overhead costs as prices for basic supplies skyrocket, Chapman said. There’s also been a  reduction in profits since Sea Horse Ranch limited rides to avoid confrontation with off-leash dogs, which are technically not allowed at Poplar Beach but tend to proliferate in the afternoons regardless. 

“It’s not just [that] we had to reduce the number of rides for safety’s sake — I have to tell you, I did that without hesitation. It’s not worth the danger,” Chapman said. “We ask for the reduction simply to acknowledge the challenge of us staying in business, and so we can continue providing this service to the community.” 

Several community members, including former Half Moon Bay Mayor Joaquin Jimenez, attended public comment to voice support for Sea Horse Ranch. 

“We are an equestrian community. The equestrian community brings millions of dollars,” he said. “Our community needs businesses like Sea Horse Ranch.” 

One Half Moon Bay resident, Nancy Fontana, had comments of a different nature to make, sharing the tragic story of her mother dying in a car accident 33 years ago, after Sea Horse Ranch horses escaped and got loose on Highway 1. 

The cause of the escape was later found to be rotting fence posts, she said, and asked the City Council to consider a clause in the Sea Horse Ranch contract that required regular fence inspections. 

“I’m hoping the council will consider a clause that guarantees the fencing at Sea Horse Ranch is inspected on a fairly regular basis  … because Highway 1 is still there, and there's still a lot of cars traveling down the highway,” she said. 

Chapman assured the City Council and Fontana that Sea Horse Ranch fences are now inspected annually internally, as well as by outside insurance inspectors. 

The contract item will return for formal approval at an upcoming City Council meeting, Chidester said. 

holly@smdailyjournal.com

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