Letter in the Cumberland News

Like it or not, horse muck on roads/multi-use paths is becoming an increasing issue throughout the UK.

Do you all really want banning from roads and multi-use tracks?

These people who berrate us horse owners for it have vociferous voices who can be listened to in Parliament.
All it needs is someone taking out a Private Members Bill which would be supported by all the ''townies''

Please get real and if the roads tracks near your yard are a 'mucky' mess start doing something about it--bag it and sell it!

Farmers DO have to clean/sweep roads, my neighbour got into trouble because a teenage speed merchant shot off the road in his car blaming slippery mud on a country lane left by tractors taking forage to outwintering stock.
 
Spat my coffee out, classic!!! In my old UK village if we left a deposit, you would see the neighbours rushing with shovels out to get it for their roses!!!!!
 
Cuffey said:
Like it or not, horse muck on roads/multi-use paths is becoming an increasing issue throughout the UK.

Do you all really want banning from roads and multi-use tracks?

These people who berrate us horse owners for it have vociferous voices who can be listened to in Parliament.
All it needs is someone taking out a Private Members Bill which would be supported by all the ''townies''

Please get real and if the roads tracks near your yard are a 'mucky' mess start doing something about it--bag it and sell it!

Farmers DO have to clean/sweep roads, my neighbour got into trouble because a teenage speed merchant shot off the road in his car blaming slippery mud on a country lane left by tractors taking forage to outwintering stock.
Click to expand...

Mud is worse than horse poop - 1 pile of horse poop is easy to avoid on a bike - 2 or 4 tyre tracks covered in mud aren't.

How do farmers clean the road - dp they use like a power washer? I jsut ask as I have never seen then do it ever - but they must as there is very little ud round by my parents ever.


I would just kick the poop into the verge/gutter. It's no worse than rotting leaves and the verges round here are full of dog **** anyway! The locals seem to use the end of my parents drive as a dog potty - dad was tempted to bag it up and dump it in the village to see how they like it.
 
Wishfulthinker

Kicking the muck into the gutter is absolutely fine it disappears very quickly in wet weather

I represent equestrian users on Regional Access Forum in my area
Horse muck NEVER used to get a mention--now it does
We have more cyclists being encouraged to cycle to work
We have Walking for Health groups who are mostly elderly and may be partially sighted

I recently walked a multi-use route, the horses had carried on walking whilst lifting their tails and the trails were long ones not just heaps!! Could be hard to avoid with push chairs or buggies for disabled people and those wheels go into houses.
 
I am more concerned that he recommends transporting horses to hack out. In Scotland we kept a 7.5 ton lorry on the road which did 20 miles per week. This was more environmentally friendly than having a family car which could tow - meaning all my short trips would have been in a gas guzzling beast.

We do have a trailer now for emergencies but certainly don't need to transport our horses for hacking. All our local off-road routes are waymarked and multi-use.

Here in France I cannot imagine anyone complaining about horse manure. Rotted it sells in the Garden Centre for more euros than compost. My local farmer is delighted to take my horse manure which gets ploughed into his Maize field.
 
I think this is a good idea, it is a handout that was given out after there were complaints to a parish about horses:-

WESRRA handout on horses and riding in the Parish
The following was issued in February 2005 for general circulation. It responds to some of the concerns about horse riding expressed by residents in the Woodhouse Parish Plan Group survey.
Equestrianism in Woodhouse Eaves & Swithland
The following article is a general response to some of the frequently asked questions about the horses in the villages, and to many of the “views” expressed in the Woodhouse Parish Plan survey. In and around the parishes of Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland there are approximately 350 horses, kept at three main livery yards and countless other smaller yards and paddocks. Woodhouse Eaves is also the home to the region’s “Riding for the Disabled” (RDA) centre. WESRRA (Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland Recreational Riding Association) represents about 1/3 of the horse owners in the area, with currently over 100 members; and encourages sensible, responsible & safe riding practice. WESRRA also recognises that equestrianism and wider aspects of country life interact in various ways; and we have made significant contributions to both the recent Parish Plan and Village Design Statement processes; with particular regards to Road Safety, Traffic, and Environmental issues. In the spirit of working in partnership, this article aims to address number of issues that have recently arisen.

Horses on the Road
Why?
Ideally we would ride on the roads as little as possible – car drivers don’t want us there and we don’t want to be there! As indicated by the Parish Plan, we can all agree that our roads just aren’t safe. Unfortunately over the last 20 to 30 years the off-road riding network in the area has been reduced to almost zero. Most of the footpaths in the parishes used to be bridleways, but over time they have been downgraded or made impassable. There is virtually no off-road riding left and the little that we have is constantly under threat, and can only be reached by riding along the parish roads. WESRRA is exploring many avenues to increase the off-road riding network and improve local road safety. Please help us by signing the petition that we will be circulating, or by writing “constructive” letters to the parish, borough and county councils to encourage them to assist us in gaining off road access and facilities.

Riding Two Abreast
Unfortunately it is another contentious issue that appears to generate a great deal of resentment from motorists. However, riding two abreast is strongly advised by both the Police and the Highway Code, as an important safety precaution. Motorists SHOULD pass horses at a maximum speed of 15mph (regardless of which direction you are passing the horse) whist giving at least the same amount of room as if you are passing a small car. Unfortunately with the speed, congestion and attitude of an increasing number of motorists, this rarely happens. It is often necessary to ride 2 abreast to slow the passing traffic and to force them to give the required space, for the safety of both rider and motorist.

Saying “Thank You” to motorists
It is always polite for riders to wave "Thank You" to motorists who drive slowly and considerately by giving horses plenty of time and room; being responsive to drivers is strongly encouraged by WESRRA. Unfortunately it is not always safe or practical to say thank you, as the rider often needs to keep both hands on the reins. If a rider fails to acknowledge you they are not always being ignorant, but often factors which the motorist is unaware of, such as strong winds, unusual noises in gardens, loose dogs, litter etc. require the rider’s full concentration. In these circumstances, riders will be even more grateful that you drove considerately even if they can’t express it at the time!!

Horse Muck on the Roads
We are aware that this is a highly contentious issue. Unfortunately there is very little that we can do about it – imagine the complaints and chaos that would ensue if riders tried to dismount and "clean up" every time, the roads would be at a constant stand still! And, due to the volume of traffic through the villages, it is generally not worth going back to clear up after a ride, as the muck is often squashed. However we must point out that unlike dog mess, horse muck is NON-TOXIC so presents no health risk, is generally odour free, extremely biodegradable and very good for your garden!

Road tax and insurance
"Horses should pay tax and be insured to be on the road" is an often heard complaint. The greater majority of horse owners DO CARRY INSURANCE (often paying more on their horse insurance than they do for car insurance!) With the current state of the roads a rider would be foolish not to carry at least some basic 3rd party cover. Although we want to be on the roads as little as possible, many riders would gladly pay the same yearly road tax as a 50cc scooter just to relieve some of the animosity of the motorists (remember most riders are motorist as well!). This however is a question of national government policy and out of our hands.

Horses on the pavement
Why?
Occasionally, and unfortunately, horses are required to move onto the pavement. This generally happens to alleviate other serious traffic problems and situations (e.g. if a rider is holding up the flow of traffic whilst trying to negotiate a line of parked cars, it is easier for all – IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO – to ride a little on the pavement to ease the congestion). Going onto the pavement can also be an important safety issue. It is occasionally necessary to move off-road to make room for large, noisy and fast moving vehicles - particularly tractors with trailers, the increasing number of HGVs, and double-decker buses; especially when these vehicles are attempting to negotiate lines of parked cars. Riders should only be on the pavement for as long as necessary, and should only use the pavement if it is clear of pedestrians and safe to do so.

Horse muck on pavement
Due to the traffic situation it is occasionally necessary for horses to be on the pavement. An unfortunate - but rare - consequence of this is horse muck on the pavement. If the horse is moved onto the pavement to avoid a dangerous traffic situation one of its stress reactions is to "produce"; and as such is unavoidable. WESRRA actively promotes and encourages all riders to return after their ride and clear any muck off of the pavements, whenever it occurs.

Horses in the Housing Estates
68% of the respondents in the Parish Plan survey cited traffic volume and speed as the major problem in Woodhouse Eaves, many highlighting the road around Le Fevres and the Chemist as the worst area. Many horse riders prefer to “cut through” the estate as it is a much safer option, and it helps to reduce the traffic burden on Main Street and Maplewell Road. We are sorry that some residents find this practice inconvenient or offensive, but it is an important safety consideration. Also many of the children and residents like to see the horses.

"Are horse riders posh, rich and snobby"?
Many people still labour under the misapprehension that horse riders are all rich and think that they are some how "better than everyone else". Anyone that has actually met us knows that this just isn’t the case (although I wish the rich bit was!) Many, many years ago horses were the pursuit of the well off, but those times are long past. Most horse owners/riders are average people on average wages, scrimping and saving, running old cars and skipping holidays to fund a pastime that they are passionate about. All we want is to ride and be with our horses as safely, quietly and causing as little inconvenience to others as possible.

Conclusion
Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland are rural villages, not town or city suburbs or racetracks for motorists. Horses are an integral part of the rural landscape along with tractors, countryside smells and mud on the roads! Many residents love to see the horses and appreciate the added character that they lend to the villages. Horses are also an important part of the local economy. Most of the complaints voiced about horses by a minority of villagers come down to:

1. The villages' serious traffic problems.
2. A lack of off-road riding and bridleways
3. A misunderstanding between "horse people" and "non-horse people"


Of these, point 3 is the easiest to rectify – just stop us and talk to us! Or if you have a serious complaint or issue involving horses write it down and send it to WESRRA (c/o Leeson's farm, Woodhouse Eaves; or Beeby’s farm, Swithland) and we will try our best to work through any concerns with you. Points 1 & 2 are harder to rectify, but they form the core of many of our on going campaigns, to which the constructive support of the villagers can add extra weight, helping us to create a safer environment for all. Remember roads that are safer for horses are also safer for children, pets and all villagers!


Andy Wells
WESRRA
 
I hope nobody ever buys a horse from Peter Flynn's daughter.....it can be guaranteed not to be good on the roads....if she is that accomplished she should be explaining to her dear Papa that clearing up horse poo just isn't feasible. If he wants clean pavements and roads and no animals, I hear Singapore might be suitable. If you live in the country accept the country lifestyle which clearly involves animals. If not, then move back to the cities.
How are the owners of the New Forest Ponies going to go round clearing up after them? There are loads of roads running through it with the ponies on....he sounds like a headcase to me...
 
Maybe the other road users could retusn all the rights of way they've stolen from riders/carriage drivers.Having just watched "Country Tracks this morning where there were THREE new mountain bike tracks paid for by the council and Lottery in one small area I'd like a chance to share as they are allowed to share all our tracks
 
I had this problem the other day. I work in a tack shop and a man actually came into the shop to moan about horse poo in the road. He wouldn't leave and stayed in shop for about half hour just going on about it!
 
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