23: Pitching In: Why We Forking Love Our Parks

Episode Summary: In this episode, we dive into a not-so-talked-about yet critical issue impacting our parks and equestrian trails: horse manure management. We explore the ecological, health, and political ramifications of leaving horse manure unmanaged and propose a community-driven solution to ensure our parks remain beautiful and accessible for everyone.

What You'll Learn:

• The Importance of 'Leave No Trace' Principles:
  • How unmanaged horse manure affects local flora, waterways, and the overall ecosystem.
  • The connection between manure management and soil integrity, preventing mud pits and erosion.
• Health Risks Associated with Horse Manure:
  • The role of manure in spreading parasites and pathogens among horses.
  • The importance of regular cleanup to reduce the risk of disease and improve horse health.
• Political Impact of Manure Management:
  • How our actions influence park policies and the availability of trails.
  • The responsibility of the equestrian community to maintain good relations with park authorities and the general public.
• Community Pitchfork Initiative:
  • Introduction of a new initiative to place community pitchforks at trailer sites for manure management.
  • Details on how listeners can get involved and support the initiative.

Resources Mentioned:

• Rochester Trail Riders Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/rochestertrailriders
  • Support the cause by purchasing merchandise from our store. All proceeds help fund our community initiatives to keep our trails open and clean.

Call to Action:

• Get Involved: Consider donating a pitchfork or contributing to our cause to help expand our community pitchfork initiative to more parks.
• Spread the Word: Share this episode with other equestrian enthusiasts and park visitors to raise awareness about the importance of manure management.

Subscribe and Follow:

• Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform and follow us on social media to stay updated on future episodes and community projects.

Rochester Trail Riders
https://www.rochestertrailriders.com