On 8/20/2011 9:52 PM, SMS wrote:
We hiked the new Dias Ridge Trail
http://www.ridgetrail.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&It emid=72
in Marin County today.

Hikers, bicycles, and horses are all allowed. Four mountain bikers
passed us, all riding responsibly. The new trail is very nice _except_
for all the horse manure everywhere. It's disgusting, and a hassle to
keep stepping around. In some places it covers the whole width of the
trail. We then took the Miwok trail and Redwood Creek trails back to
Muir Beach. They were even worse in terms of horse manure because they
are narrower.

Why can't equestrians be forced to clean up after themselves? They are
so inconsiderate of other trail users. Equestrians should buy land to
create their own trail system separate from self-powered hikers and
bicyclists that don't leave a huge mess behind.

Require horse diapers: http://www.equisan.com.au/.

Or like dog owners, equestrians could pack out their pet's feces in a
plastic bag for proper disposal.

Of course, the horses still tear up the trail surface much more than
even a very aggressively ridden mountain bike. Heck, even 4-wheelers
would likely do less damage.

--
Tºm Shermªn - 42.435731°N, 83.985007°W
I am a vehicular cyclist.