Horse activities in Tulsa area

[Lea1298]

We will be moving to the Tulsa area in about 5 months.  We are a family that will have about 3 horses after we get moved in.

What clubs or activities are offered in that area for the age range of 8-39.  Our primary breed of horses will be AQHA & OTTB.

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[White Dawg]

You will not have a problem finding horse activities in Tulsa & the surrounding communities.

[rwarn17588]

As a frame of reference, from what region are you coming, Lea?

[Lea1298]

We are coming from South Central Idaho.  Not many trails or horse programs here.

I am originally from Ventura/Ojai CA where there were tons of horse clubs and trails.  I have lived here in ID for 16 yrs and my husband just signed on with a trucking co in Supulpa, which is one of many reasons why we are moving to OK.

My daughter has been an assistant trainer for a cutting horse trainer in OR and she will be moving with us to OK.  I would like to get back into riding trails and doing some eventing, eventually.

[rwarn17588]

You'll enjoy this area. Quarter horses are big in this region, and I know of quite a few stables and riding centers all over the outskirts of Tulsa.

[PonderInc]

Oh my...welcome to horse country!

The Tulsa fairgrounds has horse shows and events (both big and small) every weekend.  Every time I drive by, there is something going on.  Cutting/reining competitions, steer roping, western pleasure, hunter-jumper, and all kinds of breed-specific shows...you name it!  (As a horse-obsessed kid, I used to go every Saturday morning with my mom.  Now they have completely renovated the facilities at the fairgrounds, and the barns and show/practice rings are top-notch, and attract even more and bigger events.)

I know people who go fox hunting somewhere in the vicinity, and a lot of people trailer their horses to state parks to go trail riding.

The only sad thing is that as our suburbs have sprawled, it's harder and harder to stable your horses close to town.  I used to take care of a horse that was pastured on a farm at 51st and 145th (about 10-15 minutes from where I lived).  That farm is now a golf course and residential neighborhood.  My sister-in-law has to drive about 35 minutes from midtown to where she keeps her horse.

That said, a lot of people who live out on the edges of town have small acreages, and keep a couple horses.  You can probably find lots of places with 5 acres of land and a horse or two on the property.  But the bigger farms are definitely further out.

Have fun!  And welcome!

[RecycleMichael]

Here is a link to the events calender for Expo Square...the local fairgrounds.  

http://www.exposquare.com/calendar.asp

As you can see, there are a number of horse shows this year.

I live seven miles east of downtown and many of my neighbors have horses.

[Downtowner]

You can even take your horse camping with you in SE Oklahoma

Cedar Lake Horse Camp

[Lea1298]

Thank you everyone for all of the info!  I have been told that OK is a great place for horses, all breeds.

We are hoping to get into some property so we can keep at least 3-4 horses.  My daughter wants to get into cutting real bad and I enjoy most everything else to do with horses.  

Our whole family is big into the outdoors and being involved with horse clubs and such.  I don't think that we are going to be able to handle the wait to move out there!  But then again you guys have more snow and ice than we do right now, LOL

Thanks again for all of your help!

[Steve]

Just curious if anyone knows the answer to this question.  Years ago, the only residential subdivision in the Tulsa city limits where it was legal to keep horses was the Johanssen Acres subdivision, around 24th to 27th Streets between Sheridan and Memorial, an area of large estate sized lots with ranch style homes.  As a kid in the 1960s, I used to see people on horseback quite often in this area around Whitney Jr. High and Hale High School, which are on the north edge of the Johanssen Acres neighborhood.  We lived just north of Hale H.S., in the Leisure Lanes subdivision.

Can you still keep horses in Johanssen Acres? Are there any other developed areas in the Tulsa city limits where horses are allowed?  Just curious.

[RecycleMichael]

Here is the language...

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep, maintain or permit or suffer to be
maintained any cows, goats, sheep, hogs, horses, poultry, rabbits or any miniature or
dwarf variety of agricultural animal upon any property or premises within the corporate
limits of the City of Tulsa, except as provided in this chapter. The keeping of agricultural
animals, including miniature or dwarf varieties, in violation of the terms of this section is hereby declared to be a nuisance against the public health of the City of Tulsa and such nuisance shall be subject to abatement as provided by law.

A. Agricultural animals may be kept in areas zoned for agriculture (AG).

C. Horses:
1. The enclosure in which such animal is kept shall be maintained in a sanitary
condition and shall not be offensive or dangerous to the public health.
2. The enclosure in which such animal is kept shall not be less than one (1) acre
(43,560 square feet) in area for each such animal maintained, including the space covered
by the barn, but not the home or house area. Provided however, that this paragraph shall
not apply to horses kept within an area classified and zoned agricultural (AG); and it shall not apply to horses owned and maintained in compliance with the ordinance then in
existence at the time of the enactment of this provision, and further provided that such
owner can show proof of ownership at the time of enactment of this provision.

Here is the complete animal ordinance...

http://www.cityoftulsa.org/OurCity/Ordinances/title2.asp#Chapter2

[NellieBly]

I just moved to Johanson Acres and my neighbor, who kept a horse for years in his yard, said one horse is still allowed.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by NellieBly

I just moved to Johanson Acres and my neighbor, who kept a horse for years in his yard, said one horse is still allowed.

Thanks, I thought so.  We used to see folks on horseback around there all the time; when I would walk home from school at Whitney, seeing horses and riders going down 67th E. Ave. was a common sight back then.
For someone wanting to live in the City proper and keep a horse on their property, the neighborhood may still be their only opportunity.

[pmcalk]

Can anyone suggest a place to take someone horseback riding just for the day?  Preferably one that requires little to no skill, or can provide some basic instructions.  We have visitors frequently from the east coast, and we like to indulge the stereotype that we Okies spend all day & night riding horses.

[rwarn17588]

I don't know about basic lessons, but Brashear's Riding Stables on far East 11th has what it calls "rent a horse" services.

438-7907