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Don't nag horses


HAVING read the recent letters about horse fouling on roads, I felt I had to write my opinion.

It seems to me a bit extreme to worry about horses fouling the roads. One correspondent thought that riders should stop and pick up dung, which made me laugh.

To expect the roads to be as clean as the inside of a home is ridiculous. I think some people are far too hung up about cleanliness.

I am a culprit of this sometimes. I like to have clean floors in my home but I also have a dog. Yet the cleaning is worth all the love you get in return – just as you clean up after your children.

Those people who think that having a dog in the home is in some way unhygienic, need to know that a baby brought up in a home with a dog has a better immune system.

You have to be subjected to certain things in life for the body to live with friendly or unfriendly bacteria. Obviously dog mess should always be picked up.

Regarding horses, I love to drive on the roads and see them.

As a child I used to enjoy it when my dad drove slowly past a horse. My husband and I used to go horse riding but some people never get the chance. So to see them on the roads is lovely.

I wish there were more, they slow people down in cars, which is a good thing. As for their manure, it does not go on the pavements and it is biodegradable.

People could even volunteer to clean it up – though be careful not to get run over in the process.

Kim Webb

Queens Close

Eynsham


Your Say YourOxford

LadyPenelope, West Oxon says...
9:59am Mon 8 Feb 10

If horses want to be on the road, the riders should have insurance and pay road tax. They should also be over 18. Horses have a mind of their own, and a rider is never fully in control.

Horse cr*p on the road is also very dangerous to motorcyclists, and could cause a serious accident, so clearing it up is actually quite a sensible suggestion.

Finally, why on earth would you want to ride a horse on a road?!? That's what fields and bridleways are for!

anon2009, oxford says...
9:39pm Mon 8 Feb 10

Lady penelope

what a fuc!ing stupid reply!! You sound like a right ignorant idiot. I have a horse and its not alwaya possible to ride straight onto bridleways and fields and its probably people like you that want bridleways and footpaths shut. I am fully insured on my horse who is a gentle giant and would not bat an eyelid at anything that passes him. BUT WHAT IT DANGEROUS IS CARS AND MOTORBIKES GOING WAY TOO FAST. now grow up and get a life, god you are pathetic

Foxy Lady, Oxford says...
7:32am Tue 9 Feb 10

Fantastic letter from Kim. Well said.

Lady P -you really do need to give a little slack here - it is cars and motorists that mean we cannot be sure any horse/cyclist/other road user is safe.

LadyPenelope, West Oxon says...
9:08am Tue 9 Feb 10

Anon, it's nice to hear at least you are insured, but many horse riders are not. I speak from experience.

Judging by your impolite language and ability to judge given you know nothing about me, it is you, not I, that has issues.

As a country girl, I'm a big fan of keeping open footpaths and bridleways.

SOME cars and motorist go to fast. Most are curteous and polite.

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