Horse access to the beach

[Lilacbabe]

horses have worms also that can be passed in droppings.

yes but unlike the parasites that infect dogs, most equine internal parasites do not pose any threat to humans.

[Lilacbabe]

And on a lighter note, when I die I want to come back as a horse. Why?. because they have a licence too sh-it in the street.
Sorry, but this thread was screaming out for someone to say this, and yes it had to be RabMcD or me, but I beat him too it, mind you, I think he's in hiding after stepping on Enid's toes earlier, ho ho Rab, BIG mistake.

I , dont mess with someone in the know or who is female but at least I know who RabMcD is you have not revealed who you are so you are a big fearty Runs in the femily LOL

[MPR]

www.horsedata.co.uk/worms.

[Lilacbabe]

http://www.horsedata.co.uk/worms.

Dont see any mention of them affecting humans though . The information given is how they affect the horse.

I have worked with horses for a long time now and have been known to muck out , groom my horse etc then go and have my lunch ( forgetting to wash my hands or couldny be bothered ) and I have never had any problems health wise .

http://www.provet.co.uk/health/zoonoses/zoonoses.htm#c

Look at the horse info and the dog info

[EMDEE]

The Human Race has lived with horses for thousands of years, and in closer proximity in former times. It seems that anything that can be perceived as not being absolutely "squeaky clean" is not acceptable in our modern artificial "sanitised" world.

The fact of the matter is that there is more highly unacceptable anthropogenic detritus cast up on our shores than anything that ever came out of the rear end of a horse.

Environmentally, we are the filthiest species on the planet.

I might state here that I have no vested interest in this, as I am not what is coloquially known as a "horsey" individual, but I believe that there is misplaced concern here.

[LANDROVER ROGER]

Good book on the subject."Mess on the Beach".Author is G.G.Dunnit.

[I'd rather be riding]

Might've known someone would moan about horse jobbies at some point! As soon as I read the front page in the Courier I knew someone would have to bring it up. So predictable!

WC - In response to your picnicing amongst horse poo - Why would you sit near it anyway? Surely if you were going to Westport, there's plenty space for you to choose another spot. Oh aye that's right you might not manage to find one because of the amount of dog poo!

Not all horses carry worms. The majority of responsible horse owners follow a worming programme and clear their paddocks to avoid worms.

[petewick]

Sounds like a load of $XXXX to me

[neilly]

Think I might have found an answer that will settle the debate for both sides. If the horse-riders can teach their horses to surf while they are riding them, then anything they do will be in the water not on the beach. How's that for simple practicality ?

[I'd rather be riding]

Think I might have found an answer that will settle the debate for both sides. If the horse-riders can teach their horses to surf while they are riding them, then anything they do will be in the water not on the beach. How's that for simple practicality ?

If I could teach my horse to do that then I'd be a very rich lady!!!! Maybe I could even afford to employ someone to pick up the jobbies for me!!!!!

[neilly]

Did you have any particular rate of pay in mind ? For weekend shifts I'd want time and a turd !

[I'd rather be riding]

Neigh chance Neilly!!!

[neilly]

Never know - could be the next big thing " horse-surfing " ! Get in first before the rest...you could learn on a rocking-horse with surf-board attached, before graduating to the real thing ! Where's that spirit of adventure gone nowadays !

[argyllie]

Sigh!

The trouble with allowing bridle access to the beach, is that widening the gate would also allow motorbikes even easier access to the beach. There are a few who get on there with trail bikes and roar up and down with no regard whatsoever to other users, be they horse riders, picnickers, dog walkers or even people with small children, let alone the wildlife – let us not forget this area is SSSI!

As far as I can see, the current gate system with keys held on a trust basis by emergency services personnel is already very much open to abuse. Just imagine if access was allowed, for the sake of argument, through the existing gate to save on cost. What would we get along the beach? I can see it lined with 4 x 4s using it as free camping while they don’t put anything at all to the local economy! Previous remarks about litter, human poo and campsite remains are all true, I come across these things every day whilst walking my dog (armed with poo bags).

Horses are lovely animals and its great for them to be able to enjoy the beach like humans and pet dogs, but lets not put upon the beleaguered and extremely patient landowners with even more hassle!

Those are my thoughts on the matter.

[I'd rather be riding]

The trouble with allowing bridle access to the beach, is that widening the gate would also allow motorbikes even easier access to the beach.

Why penalise us horse riders just because of the people who use the beach for riding their motorbikes. Bike riders can still access the beach at middle beach because even though the gates are narrow, they are not kissing gates. So if someone wanted to ride their bike at Westport they can still do it as and when they want.

I would like to point out that the Scottish Outdoor Access Codes states that neither horse riders or carriage drivers or any other member of the public excercising their rights of responsible access are obliged to seek prior permission or to consult with land owners and managers unless they wish to access land for activities which are not included within the provisions of the Land Reform Act.

Access rights can be excercised over most land and inland water in Scotland including: most paths and tracks, open countryside - (hills, mountains, moorland, grassland), land in which crops have not been sown including stubble, margins of fields where crops are growing or have been sown, grass fields provided they are not hay or silage fields at a late stage of growth, woodland and forestry, riverbanks, shores, beaches and the coast......provided people act responsibly and follow the guidance in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Can I also add that the Scottish Coutdoor Access Code also states that land managers have a responsibility in terms of equestrian access. The code asks that that they do not purposefully or unreasonably prevent, hinder or deter equestrian access users and other users from exercising access rights on or off paths. It also asks to avoid locking gates wherever possible. If it is necessary to lock a gate on a well used route (eg to prevent illegal use by motorbikes or 4WD vehicles or where there is risk of livestock straying) a suitable alternative means of access for non motorised use should be provided. Also where appropriate take equestrian access into account when replacing gates, errecting or replacing field boundary fencing or walls, particularly at the intersection with paths and tracks. Use the least restrictive option possible: self closing bridle gates or field gates which can be locked but which incorporate a self closing section are preferable to restrictive kissing gates and stiles which may unreasonably restrict access to many walkers and cyclists as well as equestrians.

The Scottish Outdoor Access code makes for some interesting reading and I would suggest that anyone who wishes to post to this thread might want to take a wee look at it. And those are my thoughts on the matter! Phew that was a long one