of horse manure at Bermuda's most famous beach.

One woman from the cruise ship Dreamward even claimed her children's health could be jeopardised at Horseshoe Bay.

"This is disgusting. I've never smelled anything so bad. I have small children here. What if they step in this stuff?'' The Royal Gazette understands Canadian magazine models were at the beach this week.

Government has now revealed plans to ban horses from all beaches between May 1 and October 31.

And it will be meeting the Equestrian Association and stables to discuss the problem.

Horseshoe Bay is the most popular beach on the Island, and is internationally acclaimed.

Visitors and residents were greeted with the foul-smelling presence early in the morning.

Horses had left "rivers of urine and mountains of faeces'' around the parking area.

The stench hit the senses from the beach entrance at South Road, and some pointed an accusing finger at the nearby Spicelands Riding Centre.

But the centre has denied responsibility.

The visitors' discomfort was evident by the scowls on their faces when The Royal Gazette spoke to them.

Many had to carefully pick their way around the droppings.

An American visitor, who did not wish to be named, said Bermuda needed better park controls.

"Our parks would never tolerate this,'' he said. In a letter to The Royal Gazette , Connecticut visitor Mrs. Linda Curran said that the horse droppings were ruining her vacation.

"We stay near the South Shore and use Chaplin and Stonehole beaches,'' she wrote.

Complaints over foul beach " It's so upsetting to walk along the path to reach the beach and have to watch every step you take because of all the `horse flop' from Spicelands.'' Residents, too, expressed revulsion.

Mr. Raymond Todd, who lives in nearby Horseshoe Road, pinned the blame on Spicelands Riding Centre.

He said he had raised the issue with the UBP's Southampton East candidate Mr.

Calvin Simons at a Monday night meeting.

"We've had this problem before, and it was stopped two years ago,'' he said.

Mr. Todd said droppings and urine were spread over a vast area.

He added he believed models from a Canadian magazine were also near the foul-smelling scene.

Spicelands Centre owner Mrs. Judy Canale said the stable was not the culprit.

"It's the fault of the individuals who don't abide by the regulations. Our horses go along the dunes and always on the areas designated by the Government.'' "We employ ten people. We are not going to destroy our livelihood. We depend on the tourists and enjoy a good relationship with the Government.

"There are enough designated trails. I really feel someone should sit down there and watch.'' Assistant Director of Parks, Mr. William Cook said his department intends to make changes to the current policy on banning horses from beaches.

"I was notified on Monday by Assistant Director of Tourism Mrs. Caroline Wills,'' he said. "Our rangers went down there and filed a report on the problem.'' " We will be meeting with the Equestrian Association and the stables next month. We intend to change the current policy.'' Currently, horses are allowed on all Government beaches except Shelly Bay Beach, John Smith's Bay and Horseshoe Bay between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m., below the high water marks.

"We will be putting in changes banning horses from all beaches between May 1 and October 31,'' said Dr. Cook.

"We're going to start having rangers in these areas. Unfortunately the equestrians are hurting themselves.''