North Mesa Stables, Arena, and Rodeo Grounds

North Mesa Stables, Arena, and Rodeo Grounds

The North Mesa stables, arena and rodeo grounds are a public park that provide access to amenities for Equestrian enthusiasts to include trial riding, dressage, Western and English riding. Round pens and transient pens are available for use. Additional information and fees are provided below. For more information, contact Parks at 505-662-8159.

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North Mesa Horse Stables 

The stables are operated by the Los Alamos County Parks and Open Space Division, and is considered a public park.

There are a total of 122 stable lots ranging in size, small lots averaging 3,600 square feet to large lots, averaging 13,081 square feet. Stable lots are available to Los Alamos County residents who are required to sign a license agreement, licensing fee and are renewed on an annual basis. Improvements to a stable lot, such as structures or fencing are individually owned by the current licensee occupying the lot and whenever a licensee vacates a lot, the improvements are available for purchase. The use of the lots are for the principal purpose of stabling domestic equines. Permitted animals will include:

• Horses, ponies, mules, hinnies, donkeys of any sex;
• Goats (except unaltered male goats), sheep, cattle, llamas, alpacas;
• Fowl and rabbits

In 2016 a Monumentation Survey was conducted for each individual lot to accuracy account for each stable lot's size and location. In 2021, the Monumentation Map(PDF, 6MB) was officially completed and recorded in the County Clerks office.

Stable License Agreement

License agreements are only available to Los Alamos County Residents and are renewed on an annual basis. Licenses are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of their licensed lot/s. Please contact the Parks Department at (505) 662-8159 or lacrec@lacnm.us to inquire about license agreements or to obtain a list of stables that are currently for sale.

Stable Rules & Regulations(PDF, 203KB) (Effective March 5, 2023)

Stable Lot rate is $0.06 per sq. ft. and square footage is calculated off the recorded Monumentation Map. Fees and charges are covered by the Use & Rental Land & Facilities Administrative Guidelines #1735(PDF, 5MB)

Maintenance

The North Mesa Stables, outside of the individually licensed lots are maintained by the Los Alamos County Parks and Open Space Division. For issues or concerns, contact staff at (505) 662-8159.

North Mesa Covered Arena

The primary use of this indoor facility is for exercising horses during unfavorable weather or at night under the lights. Other animal-related groups in the community may also use the facilities, such as, but not limited to, the Search and Rescue dogs, 4H Club and dog training organizations for training and animal-related events. 

CAPACITY - 49 people as set by the Los Alamos County Fire Marshall

General Conduct

• All domesticated animals must be controlled by leash or other restraining devices outside of the arena.
• No glass containers may be brought into the arena area.
• Interior lights shall be turned off when arena is not in use.
• No congregating is permitted at the arena after 10:00pm or before 5:00am.
• Animal waste must be removed and disposed of in a sanitary manner in the provided container before leaving the arena.
• There shall be no breach of the peace: no person may perform, engage in, instigate and/or encourage contention or fight, or assault a person.
• Leave no trace. Please clean up after yourself.
• At no time may a domesticated animal injure, molest or intimidate another individual or animal.
• No storage of non-county owned equipment is permitted.
• Repair all holes and divots that your horse or other animal creates.
• Put away any arena equipment to its designated location.
• Riders moving at the faster gait must move to the outside and slower riders to the inside.

Guidelines and Etiquette for Covered Arena

This arena is intended for shared use by our public. These guidelines are intended to help keep all riders/arena participants and their animals safe while using the arena and the facility itself in good condition for years of enjoyment by the Los Alamos Community:

• If someone falls off, please bring your animal to a halt.
• Before entering the arena, call "DOOR" loudly and wait 10 seconds or for an affirmative response that it is safe to enter.
• Mount your animal in the center of the arena; do NOT mount on the outside of the track.
• Communicate with other riders/arena participants to avoid possible collisions or accidents.
• Be Considerate of novice riders/handlers and animals, give them extra space and never pass them closely or going fast.
• Pass left side to left side when passing another rider from the opposite direction.
• Keep gates closed while using the arena.
• Practice safe riding/animal show spacing distances.
• Stay alert and courteous to others at all times.

Prohibited Behaviors, Actions and Uses Within Park Property

• Use of arena as a dog park
• Open Fires
• Use of arena site or shelter for commercial use
• Any unauthorized motorized vehicles beyond parking lot
• Absolutely no free horse turn out
• No high speed activities that create damage to the facility or disrupt others enjoyment in sharing the arena
• Littering and/or dumping
• Posting of sighs or advertisements
• Possession or discharge of any fireworks or other explosive pyrotechnics
• Injury, defacement, disturbance or destruction of any building, sign or equipment (vandalism)
• Intentional disturbance, harassment or injury of any animal or person
• Possession and/or use of illegal drugs
• Public intoxication via drugs or alcohol within the arena area (indoors and out)
• Sale of alcoholic beverages without a permit and proper liquor license
• Throwing or launching projectile objects in such a way as to annoy, interfere, impede or endanger another park patron
• Urinating or defecating on park property other than in the places officially provided
• Engaging in any public sexual or indecent act within the arena property (indoors or out)
• Servicing of automobiles on park property, including but not limited to, washing, repairing, or performing other work, except in cases of emergency
• Carrying possessing or discharging a bow and arrow, dart, firearm, knife with a blade of more than three (3) inches in length, or other dangerous weapons on arena property, excluding law enforcement officers

Type of Scheduling

• General open use - first come, first use
• Priority Use - Day and times to be set for specific type of use (dog club, youth groups, and clubs, etc.)
• Reserved/Exclusive Use - Exclusive use for clinics by an organization or group is scheduled through the PROS Division at 505-662-8159. This will be for group use, not individual, and the group must provide a certificate of liability insurance and pay a fee.

Brewer Rodeo Arena 

The Brewer Arena is an outdoor regulation sized rodeo arena equipped with attached stock pens and shoots. Additional features include bleachers that face to the east and a crows nest that faces the west.

Type of Scheduling

• General open use - first come, first use
• Priority Use - Day and times to be set for specific type of use (dog club, youth groups, and clubs, etc.)
• Reserved/Exclusive Use - Exclusive use for clinics by an organization or group is scheduled through the PROS Division at 662-8159. This will be for group use, not individual, and the group must provide a certificate of liability insurance and pay a fee.

Red Jackson Dressage Arena

The Red Jackson Dressage Arena is located directly east of the Brewer Rodeo Arena and behind the North Mesa Covered Arena. The arena features dressage markers, jumps and obstacles that can be maneuvered.

Type of Scheduling

• General open use - first come, first use
• Priority Use - Day and times to be set for specific type of use (dog club, youth groups, and clubs, etc.)
• Reserved/Exclusive Use - Exclusive use for clinics by an organization or group is scheduled through the PROS Division at 662-8159. This will be for group use, not individual, and the group must provide a certificate of liability insurance and pay a fee.

Therapeutic Arena 

The Therapeutic Arena is also located directly east of the Brewer Rodeo Arena, and right next to the Covered Arena. It is a smaller fenced area that contains obstacles for you and your horse to practice and maneuver around.

Round Pens & Transient Pens

Round Pens are available to exercise and work on fundamentals with your horse. Round pens are on a first-come first-serve basis, at no charge to the individual user.

Transient Pens are the pens that are separate and to the south of the Therapeutic Arena and are available to those passing through, travelled to participate in an event, or needing a temporary space (no more than 7 days) to place their animal.