For several years, I worked as a riding instructor at a Girl Scout riding facility in Michigan. Most of the girls that visited our barn–generally ages 6 to 10–rarely left the city of Detroit, so all the sights, sounds, and smells of the farm were a little shocking to them. And the single most shocking sight, and smell, was that of horse poop.

I can’t tell you how many times I’d be reviewing the rules of the barn and one of the horses would relieve itself…of course that sent the girls into choruses of, “Ewwwwww!” and fits of giggles. The same was true during riding lessons. If horses have senses of humor, I would be willing to bet they decided to stop and poop several times throughout the lesson just to hear the girls’ typically humorous reactions.

Lark's tail

The mounted police–like these seen here at Keeneland Race Course–are the center of controversy in New York City

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