Horses shouldn't be allowed on public trails if their poop isn't cleaned up, amirite?

Damn, I guess it could be worse then

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I can't access it due to my location

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

You've seen the big piles of horse poop on your favorite trails, often right in the middle of the path. They're big and ugly and no one wants to step or ride through them — yuck. Meanwhile, you're packing poop-scoop bags and hauling your dog's waste along to the nearest trash can. It can get you to wonder, if horses can poop on the trail, I can leave my dog's there too, right? Well, wrong, and for good reason. Since horses don't eat meat, or anything derived from meat, horse poop is relatively "clean," with so few bacteria, parasites or viruses that the Centers for Disease Control says that instances of humans getting sick from contact with horse manure is rare. On the other hand, your dog poop is very toxic, with all manner of bacteria. While horse manure breaks down rather quickly, dog poop sticks around a lot longer. It gets into ground water and spreading fecal coliform bacteria, which can make life miserable. Bacteria can also get into reservoirs and contaminate water supplies, which then has to be treated prior to being delivered to our homes. Last fall the Town of Palmer Lake banned dogs on trails near its reservoirs due to dog owners not picking up the animals' waste and straining their water treatment plant. So, do everyone a favor and pick-up after your pooch. And don't worry about the horses.

by East_Ice525 4 weeks ago

It's called leave no trace, and that applies anywhere.

by Best-Supermarket 4 weeks ago

written by a horse rider who doesn't put a foot on the trails anyway

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Very interesting. I can see there being a difference between poop full of meat bacteria to poop that is just broken down plants. Kind of like how humanure should never be used on food crops because it can pass on pathogens that affect humans, but cow manure is fine because it's all plant based.

by No-Adhesiveness-1867 4 weeks ago

I grew up in Amish country and we called it road apples.

by koelpindariana 4 weeks ago

It still stinks! They should be cleaned up after just like any other pet when off the owner's property.

by Hodkiewiczarno 4 weeks ago

Its not that big an issue, and getting them to change their ways is difficult. They at least compromised on stuff like warning lights and turn signals. We're working on convincing them to put high vis vests on children (they walk to school along the shoulders of highways, at like 4 am before the suns up).

by Fschulist 4 weeks ago

Hell yeah

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Men-in-night?! Like ninjas? Cool.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

They are nothing like ninjas, besides being hard to see at night.

by Fschulist 4 weeks ago

I bike, hike, run, snowshoe on all sorts of trail and horse people are super entitled and are constantly working to ban bikes on trails they like. Almost always citing trail damage. Bikes cause more damage than horses?

by qhegmann 4 weeks ago

And God forbid you advocate for bike specific trails to be built. Then it's not fair there's a trail they're not allowed on.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Horse 1200lbs. Bike and human around 200lbs…

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Damn, i should get a bike, I'd be down 44lbs instantly!

by Square_Payment 4 weeks ago

I totally agree

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

They really are the most entitled idiots, I just don't understand the superiority complex. Because recreational horses are expensive, and therefore better.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

As an outdoor user that often finds mountain bikers to be a bit entitled and annoying...you are correct, horses are so much worse on a trail.

by Intelligent_Win 4 weeks ago

Former mountain biker, avid hiker, and I couldn't agree more.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

That's hilarious the horse people hate bike people, the bike people hate car people and the car people hate train people what a silly little cycle

by Street_Leave 4 weeks ago

Car people absolutely hate bike people too

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I agree, however I don't really have a problem with horse poop it's way less disgusting than dog poop. I don't like passing horses on the trail, they are dangerous.

by Due_Engineering1084 4 weeks ago

Horse riding is basically the most dangerous sport people do. It's way more dangerous than e.g. skydiving. I think on average you'll have a serious injury (likely requiring hospital treatment) once per 200 hours when competing if I recall a recent study correctly. Walking around the trails on horseback is less dangerous than competing in a sport on horseback, but it's still dangerous. They'll throw you off because a traffic cone has the audacity to exist.

by Bettie34 4 weeks ago

Bikers tend to spook horses and are incredibly inconsiderate. The amount of times i got almost run over while on a walk. And as a pedestrian i am going to get hurt

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I agree completely But also, I misread the title as "Horses shouldn't be allowed on public trains" and got VERY confused

by AppropriateLight2017 4 weeks ago

Should they be allowed on trains though🤔

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

As long as they don't poop on it

by Candido39 4 weeks ago

Lmao I read it as "public rails"

by EntireAd 4 weeks ago

How about in a hospital?

by Kaciterry 4 weeks ago

So nothing has really changed...

by Main_Fix 4 weeks ago

I'm aware that horse manure is much safer (beneficial, even) for the environment than dog poop. That's fine. But maybe just scoop the manure off of the trail so it can start working as fertilizer instead of being an obstacle for people to step on or ride through?

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Exactly

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I agree. As someone who uses the trail as a pedestrian and a cyclists, horseapples are a problem. They're a bigger problem for disabled people using the trail. Personally I think a nominal fee by horse riders, just like my community has for people who use Dog Off Leash Areas, to pay for routine trail cleaning would be a good option.

by DistinctPurpose 4 weeks ago

I'm a horse rider and I'd absolutely pay a small fee to help maintain the trails I'm using.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

If poor people could ride horses, then the rich would ride unicorns or pegasi.

by omariheaney 4 weeks ago

Do horse people care about anything but horses? I don't believe they do.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

True

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I'd prefer it if horses weren't allowed on public trails at all. They're so easily frightened and other people shouldn't have to worry about scaring a horse when they're trying to enjoy their own walk/bike ride. I don't want to have to hide in a bush as you pass because your horse is afraid of unfamiliar humans.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

If your goal is to not scare the horse, definitely do not hide in a bush

by Sea_Scientist_4946 4 weeks ago

You would think so, but that's a legitimate request I once got from a horse rider. She said something like "my horse is really afraid of people she doesn't know, could you move over into the hedge so she can't see your face?" I've also had a different person tell me it's 'irresponsible' to use an umbrella when it's raining because it could scare horses.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Dog poop is required to be picked up in most communities, not because it is smelly and unsightly but, because domestic dogs can carry any number of parasites and viruses that are easily spread to other domestic pets, people, and wild animals extremely easily. Horses do not generally share the same risks to the same extent.

by No-Archer 4 weeks ago

and it's not easily disposed of I imagine OP standing there with a doggy bag looking at a rider.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

If it's essentially grass, would you still step in it?

by Ferryeldred 4 weeks ago

We step in it all the time.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Cool, Then do us all a favor and use your bare hands (without hesitation!) to pick it up off the trail and toss it in with the ‘other' grass.

by Ferryeldred 4 weeks ago

I wouldn't care much if I did lmao. If you've been around horses much you would realize it really is just basically grass lmao

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I understand that, that's why I pick it up. Though piles of horsepoop is just really unpleasant to look at

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

You understand there is a difference between 'unpleasant to look at, but degrades in a few hours and is generally benifical to the enviroment' and 'dangerous to health of humans and animals, and lasts for months...' but... nah?

by Emilieswaniawsk 4 weeks ago

"Degrades in a few hours" have you any experience with horsepoop? It lasts for weeks

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

The right side of my farm lines a horse pen. Can confirm that poop lasts for months.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Let me start off by saying I agree with you and I even own horses (technically my wife and daughter do, it's their thing they like doing but I'm around them a lot since they're on our property). I don't know where you live, but most trails around me specifically say no horses allowed. We have to drive quite a ways away to find trails where they can actually ride their horses.

by Faustino98 4 weeks ago

I'm in Sweden, and it's the complete opposite here. Actually, I can't find a single trail close to me that's forbidden for horses

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Part of the issue is unless you're spending the day staring longingly at its asshole you're not gonna even know they shat while riding. They don't pop a squat like a dog lmao

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

FACTS. They are not even expensive in relativity to the cost of caring for a horse. Like $60 to be a decent human being.

by Wwill 4 weeks ago

not true at all. i have ridden many horses that you cannot tell if they're pooping. especially if you're going faster than a walk. i have watched horses being ridden at shows/events and you barely even notice them pooping because they don't slow down or lose focus

by Dickialden 4 weeks ago

Yyeeessss!!! We live off a rail trail and the amount of horse poop is becoming over whelming. The riders argument is that the poop is less damaging than dog poop and it doesn't make sense to go back and clean it up. Then don't ride the trail!

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Well if someone owned these deer Itd be the same problem we're discussing

by Ferryeldred 4 weeks ago

Horse people could get paid to store people's Easter baskets all year. Easter bunny grass doesn't just grow on trees, you know. Hang a basket on your horses tail and profit!!

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

HorseDipes.com

by Kreigervincent 4 weeks ago

Okay but I still don't want to step on it, at least get it off the trail

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Also horse poop is bigger and easier to throw... ...in the event of a friendly neighborhood poopball fight.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

City kids will never understand.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Ofcourse, that's why everyone picks up dog poop. But horsewaste looks really gross in a big pile in the middle of the trail

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Are you telling me that these rich urbanites are feeding their stabled horses only grass? I feel like they're using manufactured feed, but I'm so far from that world… what do I know?

by huelfritz 4 weeks ago

Sometimes feed them processed grains so that it's easier to digest but yeah pretty much oats barley and wheat

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

On the trail? Not in my area atleast. Also it's much less frequent to find animal droppings in my experience

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Deer don't walk directly on the trails I walk on and lay pounds of waste exactly where I need to step.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

In my area, there are hikers who complain about horses on the bridle trails . . . . . smh

by Caseydoyle 4 weeks ago

Human should not be allowed in nature if they don't pick up their trashs.

by Financial_Return3038 4 weeks ago

Ofcourse

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Idk about this I feel lke 'It does't look ery nice' is a less compelling consideationthan allowing for a wider amount of uses for te trails. There's no real risk from the horse poo to the surrounding area, it'stotally dfferent to dog poo.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

It's not just about how it looks???? It's smells SO bad and who wants to step in poop— regardless of where it came from?? I used to go to mackinaw island a lot and the horse poop is by far the worst part. Fortunately, someone comes around to clean the roads, but still. Horse poop is massive and smells disgusting. It shouldn't be okay to just leave it in the middle of public trails.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I know that dog waste is way worse for the environment, that's why I pick it up. I still think the fact that it looks gross is a good enough reason but hey, that's just my opinion

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

There's lots of bits of nature that's gross. Ever been on a field that geese have spent time on? It's horrendous.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Every hiker and mountain biker agrees with you. Not an unpopular opinion.

by goodwineileen 4 weeks ago

I agree. Toxicity aside, it's just gross, especially when it's been numerous horses. They don't want people to walk off-trail to go around stuff like that, but who wants to step in a giant pile of horse dung while hiking with their kids? We live in northern MN where we have a lot of sled dogs, and in the winter they use some of the trails that I snowshoe and ski on, and it's the same story. Team after team of dogs on the same trail = trail laden with dog pee and poop. they definitely don't clean it up. And this is in a protected wilderness where you are expected to pack out your own poop if you can't find a latrine to use.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Is this an unpopular opinion? Maybe to horse owners?

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I read an article about this before and it turns out horse poop isn't dangerous to humans like dog poop is. I understand that it's unpleasant but just know it's not dangerous! Dog poop on the other hand is, so much so that the EPA has it on the same level as toxic pesticides

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I bet horses hate exhaust fumes

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Horses typically aren't allowed on what's considered a "walking path". By that, I mean small areas where it's expected regular pedestrians walk. There are many trails, even one that allow biking and the like, that don't allow horses on them. The trails they are typically allowed on are nature trails. Hikers, bikers, atv, horse, etc. It's understood that you accept ‘nature happens' when you step onto these trails. There may be mud, down trees, and crap. You're not gonna expect deer and bear to pick up behind themselves. I've also never seen a single horse trail that required you to pick up your dogs crap. I've seen and ridden with many people who have dogs and they tend to just run off to the side of the trail and go. I think you're applying rules from one use area to another.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Nice unpopular opinion. Your choices are cope or carry your own shovel to move it.

by Beneficial_Pool 4 weeks ago

Yeah! Same with all the animals who poop and pee! They need to have Porta potties so they use them, and I can feel more civilized and cultured. I'm working on pants for ALL animals. We don't need to be assailed seeing their privates!

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Imagine not wanting animals in nature

by Tricky-Ad 4 weeks ago

Imagine not differentiating between wildlife and pets

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Brother I like seeing animals in nature, those who are supposed to be there… Horses aren't natural here

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

As a a mountain bike in arizona I completely agree. There are many times the trail narrows and I will come across a huge pile and I have to bunny hop over to avoid it since I have no path around it.

by Amccullough 4 weeks ago

horsepeople could use a poop bag I think.

by lawrence98 4 weeks ago

You could say they really... get up on their high horse

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I agree, but you see, in my area quite many people own horses, maybe because Sweden I kind of a rich country, but I still think it's unacceptable. I also see them walking on MTB trails which I'd argue damages the trail

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Okay so if it's trail proper I can understand. But there is also a good reason that horse poop doesn't need to be cleaned up and dog poop does. Horses are herbivores which means what they digest and ultimately poop out is actually pretty good for the environment. The carbon and nitrogen mixes back in with the soil and ultimately that's how we get rejuvenation. Dogs on the other hand are mostly carnivores which means they're poop is filled with a lot of protein. The protein does not break down as well and it just kind of sits there unless you get maggots or something that actually want to eat it. I'm not trying to say that horse owners should be a little bit more responsible and actually get rid of some of their poop but for the most part it's generally environmentally friendly to leave horse poop around.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

You only get horses? We get homeless on most of ours which is way way worse.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I've met people riding camels in a city, and they had a special bag under its tail. Never seen it on horses, though, but I think it may be applicable as well.

by Cferry 4 weeks ago

The sad part is you go places like brugge where they do horse cart rides for tourists and the horses have bags that sit just right so it catches anything and doesn't get in the way. Start fining horse owners like you would a dog owner.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I completely agree

by Nedra33 4 weeks ago

because horse poop barely has any smell, plus it dries out quickly and breaks down. not to mention its actual fertilizer...... and how tf would you expect a horse owner to pick up poop while riding anyway?

by Dickialden 4 weeks ago

I mean, they could literally get off their high horse to pick it up

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Still looks really gross, also why does there need to be fertilizer in the middle of a trail? I'd expect like a little shovel and a bag, or atleast just flick it to the side

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

What about a little plastic shovel, it would take like 10 seconds to throw it off the trail and it'd make the trail look so much better

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

well its gonna break. and people are still going to bitch anyway. the logistics of it just doesn't make sense.

by Dickialden 4 weeks ago

Why would it break? Also Ofcourse someone is always going to complain, and why doesn't it make sense to you?

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

horse poop is heavy. and a plastic shovel will break. go work on a horse farm for 2 hours and then reassess all of this.

by Dickialden 4 weeks ago

I know, my sister rides horses. But have like a small metal shovel on you in some way, those are not hard to carry and are not that heavy

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Agree. On empty trails, horse poop is literally the only reminder that annoying people exist. I'm fine with some trails being open to horses, but 'leave no trace except for horse poop' should not be the default.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Even less popular opinion people who find it gross should pick it up, poo isn't bad for nature, you hiking the trail is worse than the poo

by zoey21 4 weeks ago

Understandable. Another alternative is simply just throwing it of the trail

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I don't really care about seeing horse poop because their feces don't hurt the environment and water supply like dogs do. I was always taught that was why you should clean up dog poop not necessarily because it's "nasty". It probably just depends on how your socialized I suppose.

by Candid_Metal_5752 4 weeks ago

'Horse people' are jerks.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

This is the real answer here.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

It's grass. Chill.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Still very gross when it's in the middle of the trail

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

You'd need a bigger bag for one thing, and hose poop is less likely to have infectious organisms that affect humans than dog poop.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Still gross to come across

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I'm on board with this

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I live in the big city. Homeless people need people to follow them around with pooperscoopers.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

Eh. I don't really mind about it. It's annoying that my dogs try to eat it, but it's just grass really. Not nearly as stinky as a free dog log.

by Anonymous 4 weeks ago

I live in Manhattan - horse poop in Central Park is the worst… so smelly

by Alangworth 4 weeks ago

This reminds me of this neighbor I had who wanted a trap and release program for skunks 😂 I'm like for sure you should apply for the job 😂

by Daredaron 4 weeks ago