Horse owners, ranchers and agricultural advocates are sounding the alarm over proposed zoning amendments they say could force hundreds or more horses out of Santa Clara County and devastate an industry woven into the region’s rural heritage.
The controversy centers on draft zoning ordinance amendments that would reclassify horses to no longer be considered “livestock,” a classification that allows large animals to be considered part of agriculture and therefore permitted in exclusive ag zones.
Tyler Flippo, who has boarded horses in Coyote Valley for more than 10 years, said he learned about the proposed changes only recently and immediately recognized the threat to his livelihood…