Why are horses allowed to shit in the street when dogs can't?

[JacknDiane]

Just seen a horse and rider going down our road, we are near to open fields. The horse stopped and left a massive dump in the middle of the road. Then the rider made him walk on.
Now this is a busy street we live on, with kids out on their bikes a lot and generally people coming and going.
Why are horse riders allowed to let their horses do this?
Im not stupid, I haven't a clue how the rider could clear it up. But it still seems totally wrong.

But I do. I tolerate horses and riders in public areas, I give them a wide berth slow down etc etc.
What do they do in return. Nothing!

Dog poo is much more risky to human health compared with horse poo.

It’s full of what has been eaten. Dog food is not ‘natural’!

It’s bio degradable and non toxic. It leaves a mess and is still gross but it doesn’t have the same health risks as dog poo

No don't....the horses digestive system is dreadful and it will be full of weed seeds (and the heat when decomposing can cause damage). In fact the reduction of horses on our city streets is a major cause of the reduction sparrows and other birds, as well as insects etc...the seeds were a major food source.

It's the same as mud. Broken down vegetable matter.
It's dirty but no more harmful than mud.
No it would be a bit silly to smear it over your face but you can walk through it & drive through it with no problem. Just wipe your feet before you go indoors or leave your boots outside.

Your poo isn't 'vegetarian' because you have the digestive system of an omnivore which has the bacteria to digest a diet containing meat. You just choose not to eat meat. That doesn't change your anatomy.
You could feed a dog a vegan diet but the poo would still contain dangerous bacteria like neospora canin.

To get to places - same as other road users.

The countryside & bridleway networks have been cut up by roads so it's impossible to avoid riding on roads.

Mine have their field & stables on either side of a road.

It is the councils responsibility to remove horse poo if it causes a problem eg if lots of horses using a particular road which can create a hazard eg slippery roads. This is often the case near very large racing yards.

Have never seen a road sweeper around the very rural winding country lanes where I ride my horses.

Horse poo breaks down very quickly & washes away in the rain.

Leave my boots outside in the street in the centre of a large city? No thanks. And little kids could touch it same as they could dog poo.

I don't think the police should dump rotting vegetables matter or mud in the middle of the road either..

Legally yes & also legally while driving a horse as there is no law against it. (The law applies to motor vehicles only & not horse drawn vehicles)

In reality though it's not a good idea & the highway code & the riders insurance require the rider to be in control of the horse & to pay attention when on roads. In the event of a collision or damage you could argue that a rider on their phone was not paying attention or not in full control of the horse.

I've got a helmet camera now but I used to do lots of between the ears pictures & videos with my phone (although not on the road)

Memories of my late Father in the 1950s, he would have been out there with a bucket to collect it for his wonderful roses, if a neighbour hadn't beaten him to it!

Good grief.
is this what we’ve come to.
Yabu.

Little kids touching dog poo which contains harmful bacteria would be dangerous. Little kids touching horse poo is the same as them playing with mud/making mud pies etc. As long as they're not shoving it in their mouths they'll be fine.

Maybe leave a doormat inside your door & you can pop your boots on there - don't you gets rats in the city - their urine & faeces are dangerous & you wouldn't see it if you walked on it.

It's more the double standards of the police that annoy me about it tbh.

It's very handy for the garden, so go running out with a bucket (as my grandparents did/do) and pop it in the flowerbeds. It works wonders!

You are legally required to do those things. There is no requirement for them to give you anything in return. Thats in your own head.

Whataninterestinglookingpotato typical arrogent cat owner comment. I shouldnt dig in my flowerbed in my private garden because someonelse cat may have pooed in it. Heaven forbid cat owners take any responsibility for thier animals.

Soggyspaniel so because you are on a horse thst gives you right to not acknowlege and act be everyone else and let it poo all over the roads. Ok then.

I'm not talking about legally I'm talking about kindness, courtesy and consideration. Leaving piles of steaming crap in your wake is none of those things.

I mean, it seems like dogs absolutely can too. I have to dodge dog poo every day on the school run.

When you drive you leave far more harmful pollutants behind.

Get a fucking grip 😂

Hear hear!

Cats aren’t owned by anyone. The world is full of feral cats and other wildlife who will be shitting in your flower bed. It’s your responsibility to take your own precautions during pregnancy.

But you’re assuming it bothers everyone to the same extent it bothers you. Which isn’t the case.

In your opinion it would be kind and courteous to clean up, but many people don’t hold the same opinion.

As many people have stated, it is very dangerous for riders to stop in the middle of the road, dismount their horse, try to hold on to their horse, as well as shovel manure whilst being overtaken by large cars and wagons.

In some people’s opinion, it would be kind and courteous of you to understand that doing so would put both the rider and horse at risk of injury, as well as vehicle drivers if the horse was to bolt.

It is a matter of perspective.

The entire thread is about the legal position.

it literally starts with “why are horses allowed to……?”

Nobody owes you kindness beyond the law.

Yet you are required by law to not frighten or run over horses with your car. That’s why you give them a wide berth. Not because you are nice, kind and considerate.