Belinda Short’s pony-riding business on Sagraves Drive doesn’t pass the smell test according to at least one of her neighbors.

And now the smell has the city considering an ordinance, “regulating the handling and storage of manure within the city of Vandalia.”

Vandalia’s city council has tabled the matter for now at least in part because regulating how much manure can be in a yard might not be possible.

“What seems like a very simple thing to regulate, is not,” said Vandalia city manager Rob Anderson. “We’re going to try to work on some things to come to a resolution.”

Anderson said the issue isn’t confined to Short’s neighborhood. There are certain other areas in Vandalia that are allowed to keep horses on their property, and complaints have come in from those areas of the city as well.

Short transports her ponies to other areas where parties are held and boards them in a barn in her backyard, or in the garage beside her house.

The part of Butler Township where Short lives has been annexed into Vandalia. The annexation changed the nature of the kind of animals that can be kept in residential areas. But, Short’s property was grandfathered in and she’s allowed to have horses.

During the day, her horses – nine total including a full-grown horse and ponies – are allowed to roam within a fenced area. .

An average horse, Vandalia discovered through the Ohio State University Manure Management Guide, can produce in excess of 50 pounds of manure per day and a volume of .8 cubic feet per day.

To some, that’s a way to fertilize gardens, which Short often does. To some neighbors, it’s just a negative smell.

“On really hot days, it can smell pretty bad,” Anderson said.

One neighbor, believed to have complained the most, declined to comment.

Short has lived at her residence and run her business on a two-acre lot for about 25 years.

“The ponies have plenty of room,” said Short, who said at one time she had 11 ponies and two horses.

In tabling the matter, city council members have noted there are problems associated with hauling away manure.

“The health department and animal shelter have been there, and they have not cited her,” city law director Gerald McDonald said.

McDonald said he is researching laws as far west as Oklahoma and Idaho.

At least two residents – Noah Spencer, who lives across the street – and his son, Jamie, who lives next door to Short – say there can be a smell at times, but it’s no bother.

“She works hard and she tries,” Jamie Spencer said. “She’s a really nice lady. Ninety percent of the time, I don’t notice it (the smell).

“She takes really good care of her horses, and when one does get over into our yard… the grass grows a little greener there.”