Grrrr…I’m just angry. We were able to ride on a local beach for free from September to May. Now because of rude people that could not clean up after their horses in the parking area and along the walk way they have shortened the length of time we can ride on the beach and are charging either $6 a visit or $45 for a non resident for the season. I’m not a huge beach rider but it was nice to have the option to go there if the there was a lot of snow on the ground. (Sorry my return key doesn’t seem to work on COTH?) Why is it so hard to clean up any manure, hay or shavings at trail heads and parking lots? It’s not that hard!!!
It’s worse than that; NH wants to severely restrict trails access to horses on state-controlled land. This landed in my inbox today:
"Dear Trail Riders,
Listed below are proposed new regulations for horseback riding in New Hampshire parks, state forests, rail trails and other recreational areas: Obviously these are impossible and unreasonable restrictions on our sport. If these are put into effect, the only places you could ride would be hard-packed dirt and gravel roads - no woods trails, railroad beds, no single-track trails, no sandy, loamy trails that wind through the woods. For example, at Bear Brook State Park, in Allenstown, NH, you could ride up and down Podunk road. Period. Forget the beautiful trails along the ridgeline up above the river. Forget the Bobcat Trail, Broken Boulder Trail, Chipmunk Trail, Pitch Pine Trail - all the trails we’ve been riding for years. Please send your objections to leanne.lavoie@dred.state.nh.us and to Torene.Tango-Lowy@dred.state.nh.us. It is obvious that the people who drafted these regulations have NO CLUE about our sport.
There is a meeting scheduled on October 1, at 1 P.M. (conveniently at a time when most people are at work and cannot attend), at DRED's Large Conference Room, 172 Pembroke Rd, Concord, NH. If you can be there, please come. There are other public hearings -- go to the website for more info.
www.dred.state.nh.us/? for a listing of the hearings - Oct 1, 6 P.M.` - Plymouth University, Plymouth NH; Oct. 3 6 P.M.- Peterborough Town Library;
October 8, 6 P.M., DRED LAncaster Office, LAncaster; October 10, 6 P.M. Hampton Beach Seashell Oceanfront pavilion, Banquet Room, Hampton, NH
If you cannot attend in person, send an e-mail detailing your objections. I have already sent a letter. Point out that we are TRAIL riders, not gravel road riders , that we don’t need an eight-foot wide trail, that hard packed roads and gravel surfaces are bad for horses’ legs, are the least-favored type of trail for horseback riding, and these restrictions would deprive us of the pleasures of using the same trails utilized by hikers, mountain bikers, bird-watchers, hunters, and other trail users. Also, having to dismount on trail every time a horse drops manure would create a hardship for older riders – it’s not always easy to find a big enough rock or stump if you’re 60 or 70+ and have a tall horse. These regulations cannot be allowed to happen. New Hampshire has many riding clubs that sponsor trail rides and support trail preservation. These regulations would make it impossible for them to put on the events that we all enjoy so much. "
I am in MA so I can’t really help, beyond spreading the word. But NH people, it’s time to have your voices heard! They’ve already tried to move/close down the equestrian program at UNH, and now this!
I thought you were going to say about riders not cleaning up after their horses ON the trail… I don’t do that, although I know one rider who religiously dismounts and kicks his horse’s poop off the trail/roadway/etc. whenever it happens. Me, I can’t ground-mount my 16.2hh horse to save my soul, and one of the reasons I DON’T ride with this particular individual is because of the stink-eye he gives me when my horse takes a crap and I DON’T get off and deal with it. (He actually dismounted and kicked MY horse’s poop out of the way when I didn’t.)
Wherever the trailer is parked though, I’m a poop-picking nazi-- the muck bucket comes out even before the horses unload from the trailer, and all deposits are removed before the horses are even unloaded. Obviously, same goes for whatever is produced pre- and post-ride. I hate trying to step around manure when I’m tacking/untacking and not paying attention where I’m stepping.
I saw that about the trail use 
As for riding and having the horse poop on the trail, if I am at a park that is heavily used by walkers and the trails are narrow, I will get off and kick the manure to the side of the trail as a courtesy to walkers. I do NOT want to lose trails that I ride on because people complain about manure. I always try to be friendly. I know there are people out there that have told me that I am much nicer then other riders that they have bumped into on the trail. I know that people are always shocked when their leashed dog is barking at my horse and I say, ya know what, I have three dogs at home that bark, your dog is not bothering my horses. Apparently several times people have gotten yelled at by riders. You know what? If you are going to take your horse out in public, get them used to barking dogs, bikes, carriages etc.
I’ve read about people on busier multi-use trails carrying a hockey stick while trail riding to brush the poop off the trail while still mounted. Basically the idea is that 1 hockey stick per group is carried by the last rider in the group, and they sweep away the poops. They take turns being the “sweep rider” Just an idea.
We have this similar complain here about us not picking up the horse manure on trail, but I cannot do ground mound, my horse is 16.2 and I’m only 5’4, what am I suppose to do?
Walk until you find a tree, stump or bank to use for mounting. Let you stirrup down if needed. I am old, short and chubby and I still will get off on the trail if needed and I always find somewhere I can mount from. I always end up dropping clippers or fly wisks or even a phone! I am considering trying a mounting aid like an EZ Mount.
Bonnie
[QUOTE=NorthwoodsRider;7169403]
I’ve read about people on busier multi-use trails carrying a hockey stick while trail riding to brush the poop off the trail while still mounted. Basically the idea is that 1 hockey stick per group is carried by the last rider in the group, and they sweep away the poops. They take turns being the “sweep rider” Just an idea.[/QUOTE]
Huh, that could work. I’d always be the sweeper, though, because my mare and I are happiest at the back (no horses threatening to walk up her butt, so no kicking) and she walks slowly.
As for dogs… I am sure y’all have discussed this endlessly. Most of my trail riding is done in a state forest that is also used by dog-walkers, and almost without exception, they’ve been very aware of me and kept their dogs away. (In fact, one who suspected her dog might attack a horse turned around and walked away from us.) Luckily mare is very good about dogs, though I am sure she would kick if one got under her feet. What we don’t like are little yappy dogs… owners rarely have them leashed, and pick them up while they yap and growl, and often don’t seem to have that much control over them.
[QUOTE=Faye;7169476]
We have this similar complain here about us not picking up the horse manure on trail, but I cannot do ground mound, my horse is 16.2 and I’m only 5’4, what am I suppose to do?[/QUOTE]
Truly?
If it’s a shared use trail & not several feet wide, either DON’T RIDE there, or set up your horse with a “pooh bag” - just like cart horses of the past (modern versions are about if you look) - or figure out how to mount using a stump/dropped stirrup etc: it’s not really that difficult to figure this out …
BUT that would actually involve some considered action on your part (& other riders that also feel no responsibility to the Stuff Left Behind), so eventually horse & rider will just be banned from all multi-use trails/beaches/parks etc & that will be that
Yes I live in an area where horses are now banned from most public parks, beaches, wilderness trails, wilderness camps etc.
[QUOTE=Faye;7169476]
We have this similar complain here about us not picking up the horse manure on trail, but I cannot do ground mound, my horse is 16.2 and I’m only 5’4, what am I suppose to do?[/QUOTE]
You find a way to learn how to get on. They make stirrups that drop down and other options. It is a hot topic especially on multi use trails and unless horse people do their best to make it work we will be out of places to ride.
the poop problem is a hot topic around here. Dog owners get fined if they don’t pick up poop on the trails, and then the horses cover the trails with poop. In some places you can’t even walk down the trail without pinching your nose and walking in the thorn bushes on the side of the trail because of the heavy load of manure. Most people want to vote for “no horses allowed” because of this problem. I think horses are going to be banned from most places in future just because of this. People don’t like to be faced with real nature.
oh and the people who discard plastic water/ gator bottles? just stop. I pick up 5 per mile. shame on you.
[QUOTE=Faye;7169476]
We have this similar complain here about us not picking up the horse manure on trail, but I cannot do ground mound, my horse is 16.2 and I’m only 5’4, what am I suppose to do?[/QUOTE]
What do you do when you have to pee??
Man, I wonder what people did before the automobile??? Manure phobia makes me nuts! :mad:
This is the beginning of the end of the equestrian lifestyle in anything but the most rural areas. Don’t worry about picking up your manure on the trails. Next thing you know horse stables will be zoned out ANYWAY because of “flies and odor.” I’m not kidding. Starting to happen already. Lord, I am too old.
Edited to add scientific information concerning the harmlessness of horse manure to humans and to the environment. Please share it liberally whenever manure phobia appears.
I am a poop cleaning maniac in the parking lots as well. I don’t go all over the lots as some are quite large, but anywhere in a radius around my trailer is cleaned of my horse’s poop as well as any hay and poop left by previous riders. Most of the parks around me seem to have some multi use trails as well as walkers only trails. They also have horse trailer only parking areas, so I guess there is not the annoyance for walkers. I just don’t see that much poop on the trails to see it as a problem. I have to say though my horse hardly ever poops while out on the trail.
The parking lots are my pet peeve.
It drives me nuts to see poop left at the trailer site. Many times it appears that they clean their trailer and place the manure in a nice big pile in the lot. Gee thanks, wonder who is coming around to pick up your crap? Literally.
[QUOTE=katarine;7170011]
http://www.bunbag.com/257296.html
just a thought, might help you guys save your trail access[/QUOTE]
I looked at the website. These appear to be designed for driven horses. Can they be used while under saddle?
G.
[QUOTE=Cashela;7169272]
I always try to be friendly. I know there are people out there that have told me that I am much nicer then other riders that they have bumped into on the trail. I know that people are always shocked when their leashed dog is barking at my horse and I say, ya know what, I have three dogs at home that bark, your dog is not bothering my horses. Apparently several times people have gotten yelled at by riders. You know what? If you are going to take your horse out in public, get them used to barking dogs, bikes, carriages etc.[/QUOTE]
Very true Cashela. We have to be Ambassadors for our sport. If someone slows down or leads their dog to the side of the trail, I ALWAYS wave and say thank you and strike up a bit of small talk. I’m a talker anyway. 
I think some of the public views “Horse People” as wealthy snobs. So, I like to make small talk, ask about their dog, etc. I have known people who have cursed out “Off Roaders” or a car that is going a bit too fast. Essentially, just ticking these people off more.
Some people just don’t realize how a horse thinks when scared. I’d rather flag them down and mouth “Please slow down”, thank them with a wave if they do.
In fact, I was on foot today while crossing a busy road after a trail ride. I prefer to hand walk my mare on busy streets, then remount. This road is narrow, winding and people drive fast. So I wait on the side of the road until there is no traffic in sight.
A nice gentleman in an SUV was so considerate today, he put on his Flashers to warn other drivers. Gave him a big wave also… THAT was extra special, IMO.
No one has mentioned a serious problem with horse manure. It is not the aesthetic problem, nor is it a health issue. The problem with horse manure in parks is that it promotes and introduces seeds which grow into invasive plants, so kicking the manure off the trail only adds to the problem. At least in the trail it would be easy to identify and remove any seedling and starting plants. This is a huge issue in some areas and a perceived problem in others. As ambassadors to our sport, we have an obligation to leave the area as clean (or like the Boy Scouts believe, cleaner) than we found it.
It seems to me that a strong pro-trail riding group could have an annual or twice-yearly well-publicized meeting/work party to clean up the most popular trails. I think that would go a long way toward appeasing those who are trying to preserve natural habitats and toward general good public relations.
Here is one reference article about the problem:
http://www.nps.gov/pore/parkmgmt/upload/rps_invasiveplants_and_horsemanure_060718.pdf
I found another article which refutes the problem:
http://ridenewyork.anneodell.com/pdf/Horse%20Manure%20and%20Invasive%20Species.pdf
I absolutely disagree with her article because I have seen alfalfa growing in the far reaches of my dry lot around an old manure pile which did not get picked up, and when I have used horse manure in my garden which was not composted well, I’ve had weird stuff growing from it.
Now how do we address the problem? We can deny it exists and make up our own science like that last article. We can demand our right to pollute and refuse to pick up after ourselves because we are too old or fat to get off our horses (yet fit enough to groom, load in trailers, transport tack, saddle up and mount and dismount at beginning and end of our ride.) This is a poor response in my opinion, because not only does it fly in the face of science, but it does nothing but make adversaries of the scientific community, the hiking community, the environmental community and the general public who reads articles about the issue. It even annoys me, a horse owner, and I WANT to preserve our rights to ride in parks and on public trails. Heck, I spent a huge amount of money to buy property near a public park which allows horses!
