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Horses shouldn't be allowed on public trails if their poop isn't cleaned up, amirite?
by Anonymous1 year ago
Damn, I guess it could be worse then
by Anonymous1 year ago
I can't access it due to my location
by Anonymous1 year 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_Ice5251 year ago
It's called leave no trace, and that applies anywhere.
by Best-Supermarket1 year ago
written by a horse rider who doesn't put a foot on the trails anyway
by Anonymous1 year 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-18671 year ago
I grew up in Amish country and we called it road apples.
by koelpindariana1 year ago
It still stinks! They should be cleaned up after just like any other pet when off the owner's property.
by Hodkiewiczarno1 year 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 Fschulist1 year ago
Hell yeah
by Anonymous1 year ago
Men-in-night?! Like ninjas? Cool.
by Anonymous1 year ago
They are nothing like ninjas, besides being hard to see at night.
by Fschulist1 year 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 qhegmann1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
Horse 1200lbs. Bike and human around 200lbs…
by Anonymous1 year ago
Damn, i should get a bike, I'd be down 44lbs instantly!
by Square_Payment1 year ago
I totally agree
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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_Win1 year ago
Former mountain biker, avid hiker, and I couldn't agree more.
by Anonymous1 year 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_Leave1 year ago
Car people absolutely hate bike people too
by Anonymous1 year 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_Engineering10841 year 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 Bettie341 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
I agree completely But also, I misread the title as "Horses shouldn't be allowed on public trains" and got VERY confused
by AppropriateLight20171 year ago
Should they be allowed on trains though🤔
by Anonymous1 year ago
As long as they don't poop on it
by Candido391 year ago
Lmao I read it as "public rails"
by EntireAd1 year ago
How about in a hospital?
by Kaciterry1 year ago
So nothing has really changed...
by Main_Fix1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
Exactly
by Anonymous1 year 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 DistinctPurpose1 year ago
I'm a horse rider and I'd absolutely pay a small fee to help maintain the trails I'm using.
by Anonymous1 year ago
If poor people could ride horses, then the rich would ride unicorns or pegasi.
by omariheaney1 year ago
Do horse people care about anything but horses? I don't believe they do.
by Anonymous1 year ago
True
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
If your goal is to not scare the horse, definitely do not hide in a bush
by Sea_Scientist_49461 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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-Archer1 year ago
and it's not easily disposed of I imagine OP standing there with a doggy bag looking at a rider.
by Anonymous1 year ago
If it's essentially grass, would you still step in it?
by Ferryeldred1 year ago
We step in it all the time.
by Anonymous1 year 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 Ferryeldred1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
I understand that, that's why I pick it up. Though piles of horsepoop is just really unpleasant to look at
by Anonymous1 year 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 Emilieswaniawsk1 year ago
"Degrades in a few hours" have you any experience with horsepoop? It lasts for weeks
by Anonymous1 year ago
The right side of my farm lines a horse pen. Can confirm that poop lasts for months.
by Anonymous1 year 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 Faustino981 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 Wwill1 year 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 Dickialden1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
Well if someone owned these deer Itd be the same problem we're discussing
by Ferryeldred1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
HorseDipes.com
by Kreigervincent1 year ago
Okay but I still don't want to step on it, at least get it off the trail
by Anonymous1 year ago
Also horse poop is bigger and easier to throw... ...in the event of a friendly neighborhood poopball fight.
by Anonymous1 year ago
City kids will never understand.
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 huelfritz1 year ago
Sometimes feed them processed grains so that it's easier to digest but yeah pretty much oats barley and wheat
by Anonymous1 year ago
On the trail? Not in my area atleast. Also it's much less frequent to find animal droppings in my experience
by Anonymous1 year ago
Deer don't walk directly on the trails I walk on and lay pounds of waste exactly where I need to step.
by Anonymous1 year ago
In my area, there are hikers who complain about horses on the bridle trails . . . . . smh
by Caseydoyle1 year ago
Human should not be allowed in nature if they don't pick up their trashs.
by Financial_Return30381 year ago
Ofcourse
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
Every hiker and mountain biker agrees with you. Not an unpopular opinion.
by goodwineileen1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
Is this an unpopular opinion? Maybe to horse owners?
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
I bet horses hate exhaust fumes
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
Nice unpopular opinion. Your choices are cope or carry your own shovel to move it.
by Beneficial_Pool1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
Imagine not wanting animals in nature
by Tricky-Ad1 year ago
Imagine not differentiating between wildlife and pets
by Anonymous1 year ago
Brother I like seeing animals in nature, those who are supposed to be there… Horses aren't natural here
by Anonymous1 year 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 Amccullough1 year ago
horsepeople could use a poop bag I think.
by lawrence981 year ago
You could say they really... get up on their high horse
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
You only get horses? We get homeless on most of ours which is way way worse.
by Anonymous1 year 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 Cferry1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
I completely agree
by Nedra331 year 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 Dickialden1 year ago
I mean, they could literally get off their high horse to pick it up
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
well its gonna break. and people are still going to bitch anyway. the logistics of it just doesn't make sense.
by Dickialden1 year ago
Why would it break? Also Ofcourse someone is always going to complain, and why doesn't it make sense to you?
by Anonymous1 year 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 Dickialden1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year 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 zoey211 year ago
Understandable. Another alternative is simply just throwing it of the trail
by Anonymous1 year 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_57521 year ago
'Horse people' are jerks.
by Anonymous1 year ago
This is the real answer here.
by Anonymous1 year ago
It's grass. Chill.
by Anonymous1 year ago
Still very gross when it's in the middle of the trail
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
Still gross to come across
by Anonymous1 year ago
I'm on board with this
by Anonymous1 year ago
I live in the big city. Homeless people need people to follow them around with pooperscoopers.
by Anonymous1 year 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 Anonymous1 year ago
I live in Manhattan - horse poop in Central Park is the worst… so smelly
by Alangworth1 year 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 😂
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