The Newtown Bridle Lands Association would like to remind all horse owners that its time to register your horses.

According to NBLA officials, “It we want the voice of the horse community to be heard, we must have a true registration of all horses in Newtown. It is so important to not only the interest of the horse owners, but also to those who enjoy the quality of life in a community with a love of walking paths and natural, open space for all to enjoy.”

The NBLA is concerned that, “those who would cover more and more of our ground with asphalt and private property can point to the official horse registration listing of only about 100 horses and make a strong case that the concerns of the horse community represent an insiginificant minority.”

Newtown has many more horses than are registered, the NBLA asserts, and a true account is needed. A form can be filled out the tax assessor’s office. According to the NBLA, the first $1,000 of the horse’s valuation is tax exempt – but only if you appear at the tax assessor’s office to declare and register your horse. If you have to be contacted by the tax assessor’s office, this exemption is lost.

After the exemption, the tax is just $29.50 per $1,000 valuation.

“This is so little to declare and pay for the benefits that we accrue by having a voice in our community and open trails to ride and walk,” said NBLA officials. There is no horse tax assessor or Blue Book to determine the value of a horse. The horse owner is responsible to inform the town of the horse’s value.