DOGGERS AND HORSERS

I do a fair amount of bicycling which I find very enjoyable. To me, there is nothing quite like getting on my bike and enjoying the freedom and physical activity that a bicycle provides. Of course, with most things, part of the act of riding a bike involves the sharing of a roadway or trail. Where I live we have a trail that is an old railroad route that has been converted into a biking/walking path. It is a wonderful path with sections of forest, coastal and urban landscapes that is enjoyed by many of our local folks as well as visitors. On any given day one may find oneself sharing the trail with other cyclists as well as walkers, bird watchers, geocachers, dog walkers and equestrians.

The latter two groups ("doggers" & "horsers") are an interesting study. Doggers are mostly simple folks while Horsers are clearly more well-heeled. Doggers are warned to pick up after their dogs do their business along the trail. Most of them willingly comply rather than face a steep financial penalty if caught by the authorities. Horsers are not subject to the same rules of courtesy and animal sanitation.

So, let's get this straight. If you walk your 1.5 pound Yorkshire Terrier on the path and he/she decides it's time for [you know], the Dogger can be fined in excess of $100 should he or she not pickup the offending mass which is roughly the size of a peanut M&M. On the other hand, a Horser can simply trot away from his/her horse's ten-pound turd without a care in the world. Weeks later, that same mass will remain in-place (absent fewer flies, to be sure).

Thus, our public trail (thank goodness) is free of the offensive canine leave-behinds but is unfortunately covered with massive piles of horse poo.

In a way, I can understand this. Let's face it, an equestrian is looking generally forward over the horse's head and (for the sake of safety and general inconvenience) is not really concerned as to what the posterior of the animal is up to.

Despite these realities, it doesn't change the fact that the rest of the poor, huddled  masses who use the trail have to dodge, ride through or step on huge piles of horse dung.

It does beg the question: why are horsers exempt from the rules to which the rest of the trail users must adhere?

Think about it.

Readers, enjoy your day.