Section 25988.
Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25988.
in effectA peace officer, officer of a humane society as qualified under Section 14502 or 14503 of the Corporations Code, or officer of an animal control or animal regulation department of a public agency, as qualified under Section 830.9 of the Penal Code, may issue a citation as prescribed in Section 25988.5, to a person or entity keeping horses or other equine animals for hire, if the person or entity fails to meet any of the following standards of humane treatment regarding the keeping of horses or other equine animals:
(a)
Any enclosure where an equine
is primarily kept shall be of sufficient size to enable the equine to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down, and shall be kept free of excessive urine and waste matter.
(b)
Paddocks and corrals shall be of adequate size for the equine to move about freely.
(c)
Buildings, premises, and conveyances used in conjunction with equines shall be kept free of sharp objects, protrusions, or other materials that are likely to cause injury.
(d)
Equines shall be supplied with nutritionally adequate feed and clean water, in accordance with standards in “A Guide: Minimum Standards of Horse Care in the State of California”
published by the
Center for Equine Health of the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of California, Davis.
(e)
Tack and equipment shall be appropriate and fit properly.
(f)
After use, the equine shall be cooled out to a normal condition at rest.
(g)
When not being ridden, a saddled equine shall have available adequate shelter from the elements and have loosened saddle straps and
girths.
(h)
An equine shall not be available for hire or use if the equine has any conditions that violate subdivision (b) of Section 597 or Section 597.1 of the Penal Code or any of the following conditions:
(1)
Sores or abrasions caused or likely to be irritated by the surfaces of saddles, girths, harnesses, or bridles.
(2)
Blindness in both eyes.
(3)
Improperly or inadequately trimmed and shod feet contrary to the standards regarding hoof care included in “A Guide:
Minimum Standards of Horse Care in the State of California” published by the Center for Equine Health of the School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of California, Davis.
(i)
Each equine shall be individually identified through the use of humane methods, such as a detailed description, including, but not limited to, name, breed, color, markings, size, age, sex, and photograph.
(j)
Farrier and veterinary receipts shall be kept, and shall identify each equine treated.
(k)
Veterinary, farrier, and feed records shall be made available during normal business hours to the law enforcement officer. Upon failure to provide these records, the equine or equines in question may not be used for hire until the records are produced or an equine veterinarian certifies that the equine or equines are fit for
labor.
References
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 830.9.
referencesCal. Penal Code - PEN § 597.1.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 14502.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25988.5.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 597.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026