IN reply to Margaret Cook’s letter of last month, criticising horse riders for failing to pick up dung, maybe she is unaware of the difference between dog mess and horse manure?

As a dog owner and horse owner, I gladly pick up my dog mess as it harbours very dangerous bacteria.

As for horse manure, it is totally organic as horses are herbivores. I can hardly jump off every time my horse decides to relieve himself and scoop it up in a bag, or bin liner – which would be more appropriate. Horses were on this planet long before the traffic that pollutes our air with its poisonous fumes. So come on Margaret, next time you see a horse drop its poop, do your roses a favour and shovel it up for them.

We have people flocking to bag up our manure, and, just think, its all free!

Gemma Devonport, Eynsham