[HISTORY: Comes from Ord. No. 18 adopted 8-26-1947, effective 8-26-1947.]
[1]
Editor's Note: The original Section 1 of this chapter was as follows:
"It is hereby declared to be the policy of the Town Board to regulate riding stables or academies, care of horses, bridlepaths or trails and the riding or leading of horses upon the streets and highways in the Town of Hempstead for the safety of horses and riders and to prevent injury and damage to persons and property by unrestricted and careless use of the said streets and highways by equestrians or others having care, custody and use of horses, which ordinance will promote the safety, health and general welfare of the people of the Town."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
RIDING STABLE or RIDING ACADEMY
As used in this ordinance, shall mean and include any place or enclosure in which is placed or maintained one or more riding horses for the purpose of offering the same for riding either to the public, members of private riding clubs or groups, or to other persons, with or without payment for the use of such horses.
No owner or operator of a riding stable or academy in the Town of Hempstead shall operate the same without first obtaining a license therefor.
A. 
Upon the written application of the owner or operator of a riding stable or academy and upon receipt of the license fee therefor, the Town Clerk may, after investigation by a member of the Nassau County police force or by any person designated by the Town Board, issue a license to become effective from the date thereof and to continue in force for the term specified therein, but in no event longer than through the 31st day of December next succeeding. Such license shall not be transferable or assignable.
B. 
The application for such license shall state the name and address of the applicant, if an individual, and the name and address of the partners, if a partnership, and the name and address of the principal officer, if a corporation; the name and address of the owner of the premises upon which the riding stable or academy is located; the nature of the interest of the applicant in such premises; the approximate size of the land of premises upon which the riding stable or academy is located, and number and size of buildings on the premises; the facilities for keeping of horses, including the number, size and type of stalls and the size and nature of any outside enclosure or corral; and the number of horses kept or maintained or planned to be kept or maintained on the premises. The facts disclosed in such application shall be investigated by the police officer or other person designated by the Town Board, who shall file a report with the Town Clerk in writing as to his recommendations. The Town Clerk, within 30 days after receipt of such application, shall approve or reject the same. Any person deemed aggrieved by the action of the Town Clerk may within 30 days thereafter apply to the Town Board of the Town of Hempstead for a review of such action. The Town Board may affirm or reverse or modify the decision of the Town Clerk and may direct the Town Clerk to issue or refuse such license.
C. 
Before the license is issued, the applicant shall obtain from the Department of Health of Nassau County a permit for the establishment and operation of such riding stable or academy.
D. 
The applicant at the time of filing the application shall pay a fee of $10 to the Town Clerk, the fee paid at the time of the application to be refunded, however, if the license is denied.
A. 
No riding stable, its property, equipment or appurtenances used in connection therewith, shall be operated or maintained in such manner that horses leave the premises and enter upon any public thoroughfare or private property within the Town without a rider.
B. 
Each horse shall be provided with a stall at least five feet six inches wide and nine feet long within a covered enclosure. No more than one horse shall be permitted in a box or straight stall. Each horse shall be provided with a manger for hay and oats and shall be offered an ample supply of water.
C. 
All manure shall be placed in a fully enclosed manure pit which shall contain a seven-foot ventilator.
D. 
Each side of every building in which horses are stabled shall contain a door at least five feet wide and 10 feet high leading to the outside.
E. 
A daily record shall be kept showing the name and address of each person who has ridden during the day, the name of the horse ridden, the exact time during which such horse and rider were away from the stable, and the course that such horse and rider traversed during that time.
F. 
No horse shall be permitted to be ridden that is sick, sore, lame or disabled or whose physical condition is such that riding would be harmful to it.
G. 
No owner or operator shall permit a person to ride if such owner or operator has reason to believe that such person has ridden or will ride a horse in such a manner as to trespass upon private property or to overdrive, torture or unjustifiably injure a horse, or, while riding, use profane or obnoxious language or otherwise disturb the peace or good order or endanger persons or property.
H. 
All parts of the riding stable or academy, its property, equipment and appurtenances used in connection therewith, and the horses therein, shall be kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
I. 
When horses are to be ridden upon public highways at night, the owner or operator must supply each rider with a rear reflector, and such rider shall apply the same to his clothing and adjust it in such manner as to be visible to the rear for at least 200 feet when opposed by a motor vehicle displaying lawful undimmed headlights at night on an unlighted highway, and also a lighted lamp which shall be visible in the front of the rider from a point 500 feet ahead. Any person riding a horse upon a public thoroughfare at night shall use such reflector and light in the manner herein prescribed, irrespective of whether the horse he is riding is from a riding stable or not, and notwithstanding a failure on the part of the owner or operator of a riding stable to supply such reflector and light.
A. 
No person shall ride or lead a horse on privately owned property without first securing the permission of the owner thereof, or on public property other than that set aside as a bridle trail and so marked, without first securing the permission of the proper official.
B. 
No person shall ride or lead a horse in such a manner as to trespass upon private property or to overdrive, torture or unjustifiably injure a horse, or, while riding, use profane or obnoxious language or otherwise disturb the peace or good order or endanger persons or property.
C. 
No person or persons riding or leading or driving any horse or horses on the public street or highway shall permit such horse or horses to race or run or gallop or canter or trot on the public street or highway.
The license issued herein may be revoked by the Town Board for violation of any of the provisions of this ordinance, after service upon the holder of the license of a notice in writing by registered mail requiring him to appear for a hearing before the Town Board and show cause why such license should not be revoked.
A. 
Any person or persons, association or corporation committing an offense against this chapter, or any section or provision thereof, is guilty of a violation punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 15 days for each such offense, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
B. 
If an offense against this chapter shall continue for a period exceeding one week, each additional week or part of week shall constitute a separate additional offense.
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Editor's Note: Amended 2-20-1968, effective 3-18-1968.