Manure Woes
What to do with horse manure? It is a question that has been asked over and over again. While most horse owners have basic practices for their farm - what policies do they have when off their farm at shows, clinics or simply out for a trail ride? This was a question asked by one of our readers recently .
I know that I travelled with a manure bucket, fork and broom to clean up my horse's do-do's at shows, but I wanted to know what other horses do as well. It's funny, not one comment came back that they leave it behind. In fact, most responses to my question were met with bold-faced "pick-it up and be responsible!
This comment from Andrea W.: "always take my poop with me. Many times the shows are located in a public place that uses the area for other things, or it is public private property. Personally, I find it just ignorant when someone leaves behind a big pile of feces. No skip buck or fork? Borrow (one) and toss into your trailer. BUY a fork and keep it in your trailer always. This way you don't forget it."
Another comment from Diane I: "Bring manure bucket and fork. If I forget I borrow a fork from somebody and put the poop in my trailer. BIG pet peeve!!!!"
I also sent requests to the various saddle clubs and fairs to see what their policies are on the topic. While only two answered, having participated at many shows over the years, I can tell you that it is common practice to require that manure be removed from the grounds of the show or the clinic - 'leave the grounds the way you found them'.
The Lincoln Agricultural Society (Beamsville Fair Grounds) has a policy in place whereby they charge a $50 deposit against grounds clean-up. The deposit is refundable assuming the grounds were left the way they were found. A board member inspects the property prior to issuing the refund. A great incentive to ensure the grounds are kept clean. Stephen Capell, Horse Show Chair comments "I would hope that the majority of people would think about it and bring a bucket with them so that they take the manure home with at the end of the day. " Generally most horse owners do, but there is always those one or two that simply don't care, leaving the responsibility to others.
Tina Gifford, President of the Dunnville Saddle Club reports they pay the fee at the Beamsville Fair Grounds and to ensure they leave the grounds as they found them, the club has also purchased manure buckets and forks that are strategically placed throughout the grounds to aid in the clean up of the manure - just in case someone forget their clean-up tools. Tina wrote: "My parents, (Dan and Dale Gifford) and I stay till the end of the show and drive my dads truck around with the three buckets and clean up any little mishaps left behind. At this point our members are absolutely "AMAZING" and clean up their areas spotless. I then take the buckets home and empty them into my manure spreader. Seems to work well and I want to say that we as a club, we appreciate everyone pitching in to make it a group effort! "
While we did not get specific comments from all the clubs, I can tell you that at most shows, there is a constant reminder over the P.A. system, reminding horse owners to clean-up after their horses throughout the day. Scoop the poop!
I remember at one show a few years back, there was a rather large pile of manure close to the entry booth for the day. Organizers watched that pile for quite some time, giving the person that left it ample opportunity to come back and clean it up. That person never did. So a looney was placed on the top of the pile and the waiting began again. Well, within 5 minutes that pile of manure was picked up to gain that looney! What people will do for a looney! The funny part is - the person that picked it up didn't own a horse -- he was simply there as a spectator.
Heaven forbid that we should be made to put diapers on our horses at horse shows . Can you imagine - running barrels or jumping your horse with this bag hanging behind your horse. Now that would change the sport all together - we'd have to impose handicaps for the size of the horse and bags behind them.
In our next issue, we will explore the thoughts of horse-owners that ride on the road and what they do with the manure, if anything? I know my answer to this? Send in yours to editor@equineniagaranews.com
