The horses will suffer

You may wonder why a resident of Modesto would comment on a zoning issue in Bonsall. My interest is based on the fact that I am an ongoing customer of the Claytons and my valuable show horses are specifically the horses that will suffer from the development of such a large facility on such a small piece of land.

I breed and keep a small herd and am a lifetime horse owner. I know that 60 stall-bound horses create a large amount of manure and flies, require constant exercising or turnout and use a great deal of water, pesticides, grooming products and other chemicals just as a matter of daily care. Five acres is not adequate space to run this operation responsibly. If they are show horses they travel around the state and are exposed to all kinds of equine illnesses, some of which are transmitted through the air. If a guarantee situation such as the one currently in Florida occurred at this site it could easily spill over to the Clayton property.

I object to such a large number of animals in such close proximity to my equine investment. I have chosen to take the more expensive but responsible path in caring for my horses and expect others to do the same.

Terry Waechter

Watchman Farms

Modesto