British countryside strolls are no longer a pleasant experience due to a persistent problem: horse owners and riders consistently failing to clean up after their horses. The issue of dog owners picking up after their pets has led to a cultural shift in etiquette, but the same standards seem to apply only to canines.
Despite the efforts of walkers and hikers to maintain cleanliness on footpaths and bridleways, many areas are still rendered impassable by large, smelly heaps of horse manure. Dog owners take pride in clearing up after their pets with poop bags, but it seems that horse owners feel exempt from this responsibility. It's hard not to question why riders can't dismount to clean up the mess.
It's puzzling that stables wouldn't be held accountable for maintaining tidy public spaces. The notion that horse owners might find it inconvenient to clear up after their horses rings hollow, especially when compared to dog owners' willingness to pick up after their pets.
While there has been a cultural shift towards dog-poo etiquette, the same standards seem not to apply to horse-owning riders. A Dutchman who housesat in rural England had a personal experience of this disparity, witnessing a rider who left a massive pile of manure on the track without making an effort to clean it up.
The writer argues that the treatment of dog and horse owners seems to be linked to social status, with those owning paws instead of hooves being viewed as outcasts for not picking up after their pets. Until stables are held responsible and riders start taking ownership of cleaning up after their horses, the countryside will remain marred by unsightly piles of manure.
It's time for a seismic shift in how we approach horse-owning etiquette, with clear expectations for all owners to take responsibility for keeping public spaces clean. Only then can walkers enjoy the beauty of nature without being forced to navigate a minefield of horse waste.
Despite the efforts of walkers and hikers to maintain cleanliness on footpaths and bridleways, many areas are still rendered impassable by large, smelly heaps of horse manure. Dog owners take pride in clearing up after their pets with poop bags, but it seems that horse owners feel exempt from this responsibility. It's hard not to question why riders can't dismount to clean up the mess.
It's puzzling that stables wouldn't be held accountable for maintaining tidy public spaces. The notion that horse owners might find it inconvenient to clear up after their horses rings hollow, especially when compared to dog owners' willingness to pick up after their pets.
While there has been a cultural shift towards dog-poo etiquette, the same standards seem not to apply to horse-owning riders. A Dutchman who housesat in rural England had a personal experience of this disparity, witnessing a rider who left a massive pile of manure on the track without making an effort to clean it up.
The writer argues that the treatment of dog and horse owners seems to be linked to social status, with those owning paws instead of hooves being viewed as outcasts for not picking up after their pets. Until stables are held responsible and riders start taking ownership of cleaning up after their horses, the countryside will remain marred by unsightly piles of manure.
It's time for a seismic shift in how we approach horse-owning etiquette, with clear expectations for all owners to take responsibility for keeping public spaces clean. Only then can walkers enjoy the beauty of nature without being forced to navigate a minefield of horse waste.