Horses were once thought of as only being on farms, but New Orleans residents can purchase a horse whether they have less than an acre of land or a gigantic estate. Today’s post discusses whether you can have a horse on your property in New Orleans. We also bring you the heroic story of two men who saved countless horses and mules after Katrina. 
New Orleans is pretty nonchalant about owning horses on your property compared to other cities. The ordinances require information to be filed by the person keeping horses or mules. In section 18-338 of the City of New Orleans Code of Ordinances dealing with animals, every person within the limits of the city, having one or more horses or mules housed or stabled within the city shall file with the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (“LA/SPCA”) Animal Control Division the following information:
- Name of the owner;
- Number and kind of animals housed or stabled on the premises;
- Address of place (street and number) where the animals are stabled;
- Proof of annual negative Coggins’ test result;
- Proof of annual vaccinations, including Eastern and Western Encephalitis, West Nile virus, and rabies; and;
- Any other information as the department may deem necessary for the enforcement of proper sanitary regulations on the premises. Such information shall also be required for equine exhibited or used for transportation in parades.
In addition, there are ordinances dealing with the treatment and removal of manure (18-332) that manure must be removed daily and that hay used for bedding must be removed daily and stored in leak-proof and metal containers. It also must be removed from the premises no less than twice weekly during March 15 through December 1, and once weekly during December first to March 15.
During Hurricane Katrina, many horses and mules were left behind because of the catastrophic flooding that occurred. However, thanks to Lucien Mitchell and Darnell Stewart’s heroic willingness to go back into flooded areas to retrieve them, the majority were saved. These men swam with the animals to higher ground, provided food and clean water, and even fended thieves from taking the animals in the middle of the night. These horses can now be seen in downtown New Orleans providing carriage rides to visitors and local residents.
Contact a Satsuma Realtor TODAY to learn more about home ownership, and the potential for owning a horse along with your house!