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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU - Horse riders pick up poo?

894 replies

kaz2810 · 28/12/2017 00:20

First time asking on here so here it goes!

I'm bloody fuming, we live in a fairly large town but are lucky enough to live by a lovely canal. First 1/4 mile or so is a concrete path wide enough for 2 people to walk side by side. I'm walking along this afternoon and in the distance there are some horses & a women with a buggy feeding ducks. One of the horses poo's and as normal keeps going leaving a steaming pile all over the path meaning that anyone with a pram, wheelchair etc cannot get past unless they lift over or roll straight through it. ( bushes one side & water the other side of path) this is a daily occurance and I'm totally fed up of dodging it. Surely when on a concrete pathway the riders could show some consideration to others?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Sparklingbrook · 28/12/2017 00:35

Yes horse poo has nothing dangerous in it.

DonnyAndVladSittingInATree · 28/12/2017 00:35

Yes a glove! Grin I’ve cleared many a horse poo with my hands. Gloves optional. Grin

Rossigigi · 28/12/2017 00:35

Under carriage mirror- love it!!!

lackingimagination · 28/12/2017 00:35

I'm with you kaz. Just because it's inconvenient that makes it ok? I have seen bag like devices that strap to horses arses and collect their poo - why shouldn't all riders use those when out in public spaces? I'd honestly like to hear a valid argument against that.

Babbitywabbit · 28/12/2017 00:36

Horse shit is nowhere near as bad as dog shit though because horses aren’t carnivores.

it would be annoying if it’s right across a narrow path so wheelchair users and buggy pushers have no option but to wheel through it.... but tbh cleaning the wheels would be nowhere near as bad as scraping dog shit off

Also completely impractical for horse rider to clear up

ilovesooty · 28/12/2017 00:36

Perhaps the OP would like horses to be fitted with giant nappies before being taken out. Grin

Esssa · 28/12/2017 00:37

You can't catch anything from horse poo like you can dog and cat poo. It also washes away after time. You would hope not to block the path with poo but it's not like horses come with an early warning system to let everyone know they intend to go. There should never be poo on the pavement though because horses should be on the road.

Rossigigi · 28/12/2017 00:37

Obviously she does....

DonnyAndVladSittingInATree · 28/12/2017 00:38

but tbh cleaning the wheels would be nowhere near as bad as scraping dog shit off

Well dog shit is easier to avoid than horse shit on a narrow path and also covers much less of the wheel that the wheelchair user has to use their hands to push forward!

CBAforThis · 28/12/2017 00:39

I live in a village, and someone posted something similar on the village FB page. The difference is, is that I live in a country village, and the 'outsiders' who wanted the village/country life have to put up with the village country life. Then again, whenever there's horse poo, there's always a keen gardener calling dibs around here.

It doesn't sound like the pathway is designed for horses, and therefore believe that the horse rider is being BU for riding there as it sounds like a popular walkway for children/disabled/parents.

SexandDrugsandaNiceCuppa · 28/12/2017 00:39

lackingimagination - because the vast majority of horses would go totally berserk if they had a sack of shit swinging around between their back legs.
As has already been pointed out, horse shit is totally harmless, due to horses being herbivores.

lackingimagination · 28/12/2017 00:39

Just seen your post designed - I think that's what I've seen before. It seems everyone here is arguing that horse poo shouldn't be picked up due to the inconvenience to the rider.... So.... this doesn't inconvenience the rider one bit - why shouldn't all horses in public wear these? Simple solution, keeps everyone happy. No?

lackingimagination · 28/12/2017 00:40

sexanddrugs yes I can understand that - would training help? Or if they were introduced as young as possible?

RedDogsBeg · 28/12/2017 00:40

Okay sounds like yet another GF.

You said the path was wide enough to walk two abreast yet the horse poo covered the entire pathway - did the horse have a muck spreader fitted to his backside? If the horse is walking in a straight line the poo will be deposited in a straight line.

You are being ridiculous about bags, gloves and shovels but you know that and are just on a late night wind up.

Thehogfather · 28/12/2017 00:40

Op, what do you think canal paths were originally used for? Horses or prams? I doubt the riders would have preferred it to be paved, but for you the pay off from concrete is taking your pram along. There's few enough places off road for riders as it is, so if you don't like horse muck walk elsewhere.

For the record horse muck isn't like carnivore/ omnivore crap or in any way dangerous.

donny they could just kick it to the side But a) shouldn't have to, see above if you don't like it. b) even with a reliable horse it would be risky in a busy place, someone's pfb running under/ behind it cos they want to see the gee gee etc, dear rover coming to leap on it wanting to play

Sparklingbrook · 28/12/2017 00:40

My experience of walking down the canal is people on pushbikes dinging their bells behind me so I have to jump in the long grass/bushes. precisely where all the dog poo is while they whizz past without a thank you.

Theresnonamesleft · 28/12/2017 00:41

I like how the Scottish horse society have put so much thought into this, they have produced a leaflet.
In ops case, dismount and kick the dung to the side

www.bhsscotland.org.uk/uploads/5/4/5/3/5453271/dung_guidance_leaflet_june_2010.pdf

lackingimagination · 28/12/2017 00:41

Also understand it's harmless but it doesn't half stink!! Grin

Maryann1975 · 28/12/2017 00:42

I get what you are saying op. I wouldn’t want any kind of poo on my pushchair or on dads wheelchair. I don’t know anything about horses. Do they stop to poo? Or keep moving while doing it? I don’t see why rider can’t dismount, kick or use a stick to move the poo of the main path into the bushes at the side and then keep going. Surely it’s better getting it on the riders riding boots tan on the buggy wheels, it is your horse after all.

Thehogfather · 28/12/2017 00:43

Lacking do you collect your exhaust fumes when you drive?

Weezol · 28/12/2017 00:43

Saw this last summer on a narrow canal side. Rider procedure was :Get off horse. Back horse until head behind poo. Kick poo off path. Get on horse and continue.

If it's on a main road I wouldn't expect the rider to clear it, it would be dangerous for all concerned.

Also if on a street near my folks, the rider would likely be bowled out of the way by my dad with his bucket and shovel seeking the brown gold for his leeks.

Original poster
kaz2810 · 28/12/2017 00:43

Reddogsbeg - not sure what the answer is but if it is as impossible as people are saying then they should use some common decency and not ride on small pathways designed for walking etc.

I should add that this is a canal path that starts next to a main road and travels into the countryside. After about 1/4 of a mile of pathway there are a number of bridleways that the riders could stay on. They do not have to use this path - they are choosing to go this route, most of the riders follow the path to the road and then turn round.

OP posts:
DonnyAndVladSittingInATree · 28/12/2017 00:43

donny they could just kick it to the side

Yes another good option.

Insomnibrat · 28/12/2017 00:43

I can't believe dog owners on here are arguing about dog shit vs horse manure.

Dogs eat MEAT. It's as good as carrion ffs. There's a massive difference.

froshiechipandbrickie · 28/12/2017 00:44

Horse poo is, as far as I know, less of a public health issue than cat or dog poo...

But there are manure bags that catch their poo!