(La Porte, IN) - La Porte officials are asking people not to ride horses on trails at Soldier’s Memorial Park, with Park Department Superintendent Mark Schreiber explaining horses can damage the dirt trails and leave behind what trail users don’t want to step in.

Schreiber noted that hoof marks have recently been found on the trails to substantiate eyewitness reports of horses being on the dirt paths, with it being against city ordinance for a horse to be on and a $50 fine for violators.

“We’re just trying to remind the public that horses are not allowed in the parks and, hopefully, they’ll follow that city ordinance,” he said.

He said horses can also pose a hazard, especially to riders of mountain bikes on the trails, who could run into a horse they don’t expect to encounter or crash from their tires sliding on horse manure.