The Poop Pick-Up

It’s been a least a decade since responsible dog walkers would not think to step out with their best friend on leash without a poop bag. There was a time when people didn’t even keep their dogs on leash never mind carrying a poop bag. I am glad it has changed!

Now walking in the woods, trails and streets of neighborhoods can be done with head held high, unafraid to step in dog doo. No longer are we faced with the act of trying to sniff the source and concluding the problem is poopy shoes from a wayward step.

Sometimes on garbage days dog walkers have been known to place their bag of poop in a garbage can sitting roadside. I for one have no problem with this action. Some of my neighbors are not as understanding. If they have to carry their dogs’ poop all the way back home, so does everyone else, is their attitude. I am just happy it is bagged!

So with all the dog poop being picked up regularly, you can imagine my surprise when I came across a big pile of horse poop in a narrow path I bike through. There was not much room to get around it and sure enough I smelled poo off my bike tires for the next few miles. A neighbor via Facebook alerted me to some guy walking his horse in the neighborhood.  This is not the first time either she assures me that people have been on horseback in my urban neighborhood!

I have come across some hiking trails that are open to horseback riders. These trails are full of horse poop. If I can go on another route I take it because there is nothing worse than:

1. Hiking behind a horse 

2. Smelling fresh horse poo

3. Stepping in horse poo

So since horses have pooped in my neighborhood, why don’t horse owners carry poop bags? Sure they would have to be big but they could strap it onto the horse, instead of carrying it. I hope it is just a matter of time.

Do you have a dog or horse poop story?