A horse roaming in the Bay of Plenty town of Ōpōtiki. File picture. Photo: RNZ / Jean Bell
Northland horse riders are kicking up a stink over a proposed new rule that would mean they would have to pick up their horse's poo.
The Far North District Council has proposed a new bylaw, ruling that any person riding a horse in a public area must be responsible for the removal of any manure or droppings.
Hokianga horseman Robert Pink told Midday Report that was just not practical and that horse poo was not really a problem.
"Here in Hokianga, it's like liquid gold. Horse has a poo outside your house, you run out there with a bucket and a spade and bring it straight into your garden. Next minute, your tomatoes are bigger than any tomatoes in New Zealand."
Pink said it could be dangerous for horse riders to get off beside fast-moving traffic to pick up poo.
"Horses, unlike human beings, can poo while they're walking, and quite often, you don't even know the horse has had a poo.
"What's the rider gonna do - take a spade and a brush with them everywhere they go? Tie it onto the tail?"
He said the only way to stop horses leaving droppings on the roadside would be to ban them altogether.
"It's a natural thing, when a horse goes somewhere, a different place to its normal area, or an area where it can be a bit nervous, it'll have a nervous poo."
"I know that feeling," interjected Midday Report presenter Charlotte Cook.
"It's just not practical for people to jump off their horse and pick it up," Pink said.
The council was trying to fix a problem that did not exist, and a new rule would not change anything for horse riders, he said.
"Right through the middle of town it wouldn't be nice - but anywhere else, it's just grass and water."
In a statement, the Far North District Council said it encourages residents to have their say in all consultations, and all submissions will be considered.
"The Keeping of Animals Bylaw aims to set clear rules to ensure animals are managed responsibly, without disrupting the well-being of residents.
"This bylaw is in draft form, with a consultation process currently underway. Public input will be important in shaping the final bylaw, ensuring it reflects the needs and values of the Far North community."
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