Previously, a new rider would have to visit the marshal's office to pick up a permit before they could ride into town.

Before it was abolished, the permit's main function was to notify tourists and new riders that they have to clean up and look after their horses when in town. However, since the rules seemed clear, Marshal Larry Talvy deemed the permits unnecessary.

Talvy said the permits were a liability for the marshal's office and a waste of his staff's resources to print. Under the system, if a rider lost control of a horse and injured someone, the marshal's office would be held accountable for issuing a permit to an inexperienced rider.

Talvy said the marshal's office has never cited anyone for not cleaning up manure left by their horse. John Rohrbough, a local shoe shiner, said many people borrow shovels and bags from the stagecoach drivers and deposit the waste into buckets located on the side of the street. Rohrbough watches horses for a small donation when riders need to leave their horse for any reason.

Rohrbough, also known as Johnny-Behind-the-Box, has been looking after people's horses for years. Colorado ranchers Ed and Dorris Rautenkranz said using Rohrbough's services is a way to stay in line with the ordinance while also enjoying the shops and restaurants in town.

"In our case, when we want to go in and eat a sandwich, that's a hardship," Ed Rautenkranz said.

The couple, who spend every winter in Tombstone, said they're glad the permit system was eliminated.

New riders are required to read and become familiar with these rules and regulations before saddling up. A copy of the rules and regulations can be found at the marshal's office or at the visitor center located on Allen Street.