Stephanie Jackter
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A new way to pamper your palomino....get a "load" of this!
By Enrique Garc?a S?nchez
March 17, 2003
DAVID MAUNG
Martha Nev?rez began to worry on a summer afternoon when her 6-year-old daughter developed bumps on her abdomen after spending a couple of hours in
the sand.
ROSARITO BEACH ? Martha Nev?rez began to worry on a summer afternoon when her 6-year-old daughter developed bumps on her abdomen after spending a
couple of hours in the sand.
After looking into probable causes, including talking to local veterinarians, Nev?rez discovered something that showed her worry was justified.
Her daughter, along with thousands of other visitors to the beach, unknowingly faced the risk of contracting diseases ? ranging from minor skin
infections to tetanus ? because of the tons of manure deposited on beaches each year by the hundreds of horses rented by tourists.
That will change by the end of this month, when some of these horses begin wearing a type of diaper, which Nev?rez calls a "talaquilla." She developed
it to curb the pollution problem. The device, sponsored by the local hotels, is designed to reduce manure on the beaches, thus helping to prevent
health problems.
"It's excellent. I believe this product will be used around the world because it's a solution," said Fidelfa Marchesini, the representative in
Rosarito of the state tourism department.
Marchesini has firsthand knowledge of Nev?rez's persistence with the local, state and federal authorities to solve this contamination problem, and of
her efforts to perfect the device, a kind of portable sack that collects the horse waste.
"I had to do something. People just don't know what horrible diseases you can get by being in contact with this waste," said Nev?rez, who has lived in
Rosarito for four years with her two children and her husband, a pharmaceutical distributor.
Before starting the project, Nev?rez researched how people in other parts of the world handled the problem. Something similar to her solution is used
in Australia. In urban settings, including San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, horses pulling carriages are seen wearing devices to catch manure.
And people in other Mexican cities had their own alternatives, though nothing seemed to work very well.
Now, after nearly two years in development, she has a final version. The device is made from fabric and leather, with a plastic lining, and has an
opening for the tail. Just below the tail is a cylindrical depository, which closes with a string.
There are two versions of the talaquilla. A 470-pesos version (about $47) ties to the saddle, while a more expensive model, which costs 530 pesos,
includes adjustable straps that wrap around the horse's chest.
Nev?rez resists calling her creation a diaper. She spent time finding an appropriate name and decided on talaquilla. In Caesar's Rome, this was the
name given to a type of sack draped over the shoulder and used to carry things.
Elia Campillo Osnaya could care less about the name. An environmental activist and adviser to the state, she has become an enthusiastic promoter of
the device. She believes it can help reduce one of the main sources of beach contamination.
Besides manure, other major sources of beach contamination are runoff of dirty water from housing developments and businesses, broken bottles, beer
and soda cans, discarded food and contaminants from motorcycle traffic.
All this ? plus a general lack of education about the importance of protecting the environment ? combine to produce serious problems.
Osnaya said there is not enough effort being made to keep beaches clean and healthy, considering it is essential to Rosarito's economic and cultural
development.
"The beach is alive, but it's dying," she said. "Many species have disappeared."
Hugo Torres Chabert, general manager of the Hotel Rosarito, is another enthusiastic supporter of the device.
"It's always a good time to safeguard the environment, this is why the talaquilla is a great idea," Chabert said.
Torres became the first mayor of Rosarito Beach in 1995, when the community became a city. Currently, he is president of Rosarito's Coordinated
Business Council, which he said would give away 15 to 20 talaquillas to owners of horse rental businesses who promise to use them.
Some horse owners have reacted with disbelief over the device, and others were outright rude.
Roberto Machado is one owner who has agreed to try one of the devices after Nev?rez worked hard to persuade him.
Machado and other owners manage about 35 horses, which are rented for $7 per half-hour in the heart of Rosarito, the main tourist area.
He does acknowledge the health problems associated with horse manure on the beach, but believes the problems are not as serious as those faced by
people and animals in the stables, where the waste is concentrated.
During a workday, a horse can leave about 33 pounds of manure on the beach.
On average, 250 horses are rented by tourists, though the state tourism representative believes that number doubles in the summer.
"We want to use the talaquilla, but once we are all ready, so we can all start at once, and everyone commits to using it," Machado said.
Los Angeles resident Leonardo Carmona Contreras thinks the diaper is a fine idea. Contreras and his family can ride horses for less money in a small
area of Griffith Park, but prefer to do it in Rosarito.
"It seems to work, and it's good that they use it. I only wish someone would worry more about these horses," said Contreras, who was visiting Rosarito
Beach with his family.
Nev?rez has patented the device in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Spain and Portugal, but does not want to market it anywhere else until it proves
to be a success in Rosarito, her home.
"This thing is now personal."
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20030317-9999_1m17...
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Dave
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The simplist way to correct the problem would be for Rosarito to enforce the law.
"No vehicle or conveyance is allowed on any beach." No cars, atv's, motorcycles, OR horses.
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Anonymous
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Is that a federal law? - Stephanie
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Dave
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Yes and the beach is federal property.
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David K
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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"...Rosarito to enforce the law"
There inlies the problem: A federal law is not enforced by local authority.
Horse back riding is popular on the beach in Rosarito, and provides economic benefit. The collection bags is a smart compromise. Horses on the beach
being illegal is news to me. Thanks Dave... are people allowed on the beach?
Vehicle operation on the beach in front of a city or town is crazy and should be stopped.
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Dave
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"There inlies the problem: A federal law is not enforced by local authority."
Correct. However it should not be ignored or flagrantly violated. The city of Rosarito now issues permits for atv concessions on the beach. This is
in direct violation of federal law.
What other federal laws should be ignored when they are unpopular or conflict with "economic benefit"? And what does picking and choosing which laws
to obey or enforce say about Mexico in general?
ATVs and horses conflict with my right to peacefully walk on the beach. A right guaranteed by Mexican federal law.
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