I assume the writer complaining of horse ‘excrement’ on the road and pavement has very little knowledge of either horses or manure, the latter is not a health hazard and unlike dog mess, which certainly is. Dose she really think a rider is going to dismount and use a ‘dustpan and brush’ whereas dog owners have the animal on a lead and can easily pick up and bag what their pet has deposited.

Horse manure is primarily digested grass while dog faeces are toxic and contain harmful bacteria. Horse manure is considered safe, although when fresh, it might contain parasitic wormers which are harmful to dogs if eaten in quantity. She should consider herself lucky that she has been given a free, natural biodegradable mare to use in her garden.

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