'Does a Horse Chewing on a Tree Hurt the Tree?'

Does a Horse Chewing on a Tree Hurt the Tree?

By Bianca at 10/03/08 22:01

I was on a trail ride recently and we all stopped for lunch and I noticed a horse that was nibbling on a tree that it was tied to. He wasn't stripping bark, just nibbling. A man approached to owner of this horse and really let her have it. I felt very bad for her. I am sure that no one wants to look at a forest full on gnawed trees, but he was just cruel about it. He yelled at her in front of the whole group and she just kept apologizing and looked near tears.

So my question is, does it damage a tree if a horse chews it a little. I am not talking stripping huge sections of bark, but just a nibble. It seemed like he overreacted just a touch and the woman seemed like she never wanted to come on an organized trail ride again. There must be a way to educate people without being so hateful. And if it really doesn't hurt the tree, why such a severe scolding?

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