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Horses: Are they pets or what?

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with RE/MAXCamosun (Chatterton)

For the past generation or so we in North America have learned the art of "picking up" after our pets. I think what this really means is "picking up" after our dog. After all, cats are always nice and tidy and do it in the dirt. Then they "attempt" to cover it up. At least they try!

Dogs, however, don't seem to care where they go, but we humans do care. We had been upset for decades about dog messes in our yards, on our lawns, in our driveways, on our streets and, especially, on our sidewalks. There's nothing worse than coming into your house or getting into your car and discover that you have doo-doo on your shoe(s). However, that problem is now in our past. Everyone seems to be conscious about the problem and is doing his or her part. There are now fines in many communities if you are found lacking in the clean up department.

Well, what about horses manure on our public sidewalks? The pictures below I took today on one of our neighbourhood sidewalks. I noticed this mess yesterday and saw that it was still there today, so decided to write a blog about this blight on the community.

 image  image  image

Victoria for many years has had horse drawn carriages as a sightseeing attraction for tourists. When I was a kid, I remember the mess that the horses made on our city streets. Eventually, enough tires would run over the stuff and the rains would wash it away. For the past decade or so, our city fathers thought it prudent to have the "mess" removed by a crew of pooper scoopers, employed by the cariage companies. And rightly so! Fines are now hefty if the "mess" is not cleaned up by the offending company.

Recently a more modern technology has been employed: attaching a bag to the back of the horse, just under the tail. It seems to be working, as I no longer see the Volkswagen with trailer and scooper on our streets, following the carriages.

So how about something along those lines for the equestrian who chooses to ride on our public sidewalks? I am not a horse rider, but I do think that a rider knows when it's horse has just made a royal mess on the public sidewalk.

I guess horses are not considered pets. If they were, then the "pick up" laws should apply.

I don't have an answer to this dilemma. I'm just bringing it to the public's attention. Is this the only communtiy with this problem--surely not?

Any thoughts or solutions out there? I welcome your comments.

Comments (7)

Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Oh you know when your horse is making a mess.  One the smell and two the way they lift their tails.  The owner just decided to ignore the mess and leave it for someone else to take care of.

Jul 31, 2011 11:58 AM
Jennifer Chiongbian
Specializing in all types of Manhattan apts & townhouses - Manhattan, NY
Real Estate Broker - NYC

I was about to suggest that they have those bags under their tails like we do here for the horses in Central Park.  I guess it would be a lawn and leaf bag that would be ample enough in picking up after your horse!  Ha!

Jul 31, 2011 01:28 PM
Ted Tyrrell
RE/MAXCamosun (Chatterton) - Victoria, BC
Selling Homes in Beautiful Victoria

Cindy, thanks for your comment. I figured the rider MUST know.

Jennifer, glad to hear that they have systems in place in other cities too.

Jul 31, 2011 02:05 PM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

I think horses are pets to most people. Maybe some business owners would consider them pets also. I don't like the smell of horse manure and I don't like it on streets much less a sidewalk.

We have many trail riders out here and they leave their stuff behind but like you said tires remove the stuff and it is washed away. I prefer the manure bag hanging off the rump of the horses. If they could be trained to go potty in the same place each time that would be great. I am holding my breath, because this is a stinky subject.

Jul 31, 2011 02:44 PM
Paul Gapski
Berkshire Hathaway / Prudential Ca Realty - El Cajon, CA
619-504-8999,#1 Resource SD Relo
 

Thank you for sharing your blog; we need Real estate Professionals to share their comments and information regarding their markets and experiences. Thanks again from beautiful Sunny San Diego

Oct 03, 2012 01:06 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Ted are you around??? No posts since March. #10 commenter is... trying to wake the dead, posting the same efficient comment on 10 old posts.

Missed this.   The same rules should apply to all animals I would guess. Cats bury theirs.  That can be upsetting too sometimes.  Kid's sandbox, flower beds. Cats would not stand for a bag under their tail. 

I am not sure what the law is in our neighborhoods that have horses, carriages, parades.

 

Oct 03, 2012 02:28 AM
Ted Tyrrell
RE/MAXCamosun (Chatterton) - Victoria, BC
Selling Homes in Beautiful Victoria

Maureen, 

Yes I am around.  Just haven't posted anything for awhile. Thanks for your response.

Oct 03, 2012 06:07 AM