Lemoore City Councilman John Plourde wants to talk horses. Specifically, horses in local parades that kick cars and do their business on city streets, raising sanitation, safety and city liability issues.

Plourde has asked that a discussion on the topic be added to the Jan. 5 City Council meeting agenda.

Plourde said he wants to talk about safety and cleanliness after seeing problems caused by animals in the Christmas Parade this year.

A horse caused some damage to a vehicle at this year's parade. Two years ago a horse stepped on a child prior to the Christmas Parade.

Plourde said he would like to see horses isolated prior to the parade for safety reasons.

He also wants some sort of regulation regarding the cleaning up of manure by horse groups, or any other animal group, in the parade. He said he felt they should self-police their own groups so that other parade participants don't have to deal with the animals' leavings.

Members of the Kings County Sheriff's Posse have another take on the issue. Members said they may skip Lemoore parades if the new rules are put into effect.

"Being at the end of the parade is bad," said Greg Sanchez, one of the board of directors for the Posse. "The longer the horses wait the more anxious they get. We have own pooper scooper who travels the parade after us. We probably are not going to take part in it [Christmas Parade] if we are in the back of the parade."

The next scheduled Lemoore City Council meeting is set for 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at 429 C St. Members may be reached at their Web site, www.lemoore.com or by calling 924-6700 for the city manager.

This reporter can be reached at 583-2458. To comment on this story, go to www.HanfordSentinel.com.

(Dec. 25, 2009)