Equestrians to Find Their Trail Access Restored

Access to trails off Iverson Road in the hills of Chatsworth has been compromised since winter storms washed away a key bridge forcing equestrians into the streets of the private, upscale communities of Indian Springs and Indian Hills.

But relief is on the way, according to county officials, who have hired a contractor this week to start repair work which should be completed by mid July.

Frank Moreno, the section head of research and trails planning, said it has taken months to work through governmental bureaucracy and red tape to put the plan in action.

“In the meantime, we don’t have a viable alternative,” Moreno said about horse riders accessing the trails without wandering onto the community streets. “The area is limited. We have no authority to dictate to the gated, private community. It’s a very unfortunate situation.”

Moreno said he wasn’t sure how much the repairs cost.

April Hart, owner of the Ranch at the Falls, was delighted to hear something is being done to repair the bridge for those who board their horses at her place within the gate-guarded estates.

“This is great news. The best news,” Hart said on Thursday after hearing that relief is on the way.

Hart said she has customers who didn’t want to deal with harassment from the homeowners and relocated their horses to other boarding ranches.

“They didn’t want to be yelled at and hassled,” Hart said.

Hart said before the bridge washed out she had 60 horses boarded at her ranch and now she’s down to 20.

Ranch at the Falls was established before the luxurious homes were built, with the guarantee of access to the trails through the community on a specially designated  path. But with the path washed out, it forced riders to veer off into the street for a few blocks.

No one from either homeowners association could be reached for comment.

Christina Walsh, who boards Indigo, her 4-year-old  paint saddle bred gelding, has been striving to gain a better level of cooperation between horse owners and residents so both can coexist peacefully.

Walsh said she has been harassed by homeowners.

“One woman drove her car around and around me and my horses yelling that we shouldn't be on the street,” Walsh said.

In another situation, Walsh said her horse was spooked and injured his legs when motorized bikes drove up and down the hills between her horse’s stall at the ranch and the housing development.

She also said that one woman recently broke her collar bone when she fell off her horse attempting to re-enter the gated community through a pedestrian gate because the passageway is gone.

"She can't ride her horse for three months," Walsh added.

Walsh appeared before the Chatsworth Neighborhood Council Equestrian Committee Wednesday evening.

She said she gained their support and the committee will send a letter of support to county officials stressing safety and defending equestrian rights against harassment and bullying.