Experienced Equestrians From Los Angeles

We are members of the local equestrian community in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, who are deeply alarmed and upset at how extremist activists have demonized the Griffith Park Pony Rides and its owners. The actions taken by a small and uninformed group of activists resulted in getting the pony rides shut down. We have united to help this local business re-open. 

We also would like to educate the public on basic horse and pony welfare, and put an end to the lies spread by the campaign against the Griffith Park Pony Rides and its owners. 

We are lifelong horse owners, equestrians, and horse lovers. Many of us participate in- and in some cases run our own- animal rescue efforts. We love animals, and our horses are part of our families. We are busy working folks who have taken time out of our schedules to come together in support of the pony rides, to demonstrate to local leaders and the community how important this thriving business is, both culturally and as a community service. 

Horse-ownership is an expensive pasttime, and with the current economic climate, it's getting more costly every day. Many of us first experienced horses through pony rides like the ones in Griffith Park. For the luckier children whose parents can afford riding lessons, an operation like the pony rides might not be as meaningful. But for children whose parents don't have a lot of money, the pony rides may be the only way they can experience riding a pony for the first time. 

As adults, we've found that time spent with horses is invaluable, for they teach patience, understanding, empathy, and recalibrate the soul. Horses change us for the better, and connecting with these powerful creatures, and learning to communicate with them whether we ride or just appreciate them from the ground, enriches our lives immeasureably. Horses and ponies sense human emotion, and respond immediately- their role in therapies for everything from physical disabilities to PTSD for veterans has been well-documented.

 
We believe that every child in Los Angeles should have an affordable opportunity to experience the magic that is connecting with a horse. For nearly 75 years, the Griffith Park Pony Rides has been offering the children of this city exactly that, and now it has come to an unforunate end. Please use the resources on this website to help us ressurrect the pony rides. Thank you for visiting.