What You Need to Know About Horse-Drawn Carriages

Learn the truth about horse-drawn carriages

A lot of people would probably look at that horse on the road dragging a carriage where a couple was seated and think, “That’s romantic! We should try that!” You’re wrong. It’s not romantic, in fact, it’s far from that. What many people don’t know, is the pain and suffering these carriage horses have to face. And it doesn’t get better when they retire.

Horse-drawn carriages are seen as popular tourist attractions and is a longstanding tradition in many cities around the world. In some areas of the world, they are still a practical means of transportation. 

Horse carriage rides have been circling the news in the United States in recent years. In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio wanted to eliminate carriage horses from Central Park which was part of his 2013 campaign platform.

It was stated clearly in the campaign that he wanted to replace horse-drawn carriages with clean energy electric cars. However, this is something he is still struggling to achieve as he has to face strong oppositions repeatedly.

Horse-drawn carriages have been around for many centuries, starting around 6000 BC when we first realized we could get animals to carry things for us. But now with the rise of automobiles, by the twentieth century, horse-drawn carriages are used more often as a romantic luxury or an old-fashioned and charming activity.

There has been much debate about whether horse-drawn carriages are cruel and inhumane, or not.

Ed Hemingway who owns the Elegant Carriages operating in Newport and Covington in Northern Kentucky, argues that as long as he is in business, he is able to provide and care for his horses. He does not think horse carriage rides are abuse and says that his horses are happy and healthy.

"What would be abuse is if we go out of business – we can't keep these horses," Hemingway said. "I guarantee you, we go out of business, they'd be in a bag of dog food in a month." He also believes that horses are made to work and that was what they are meant to do. "In my opinion, work is always good for a person, and it's good for an animal, too."

However, there has been a fair deal of protests coming from pedestrians and certain animal rights groups. Opponents have cited that horse-drawn carriages have caused numerous accidents resulting in the destruction of property and severe injuries or even death of the horses and humans alike.

Horses are naturally flight animals and the majority of the accidents are caused by horses spooking and taking off. Horses are extremely sensitive to loud noises and unexpected sounds which may frighten them, causing them to bolt.

New York City has the highest rate of carriage horse accidents in the country where the horses have been startled by sudden noises.

Collisions between vehicles and carriage horses have also caused serious injuries and fatalities. In almost every city that allows carriage rides, horses have been hit by impatient or careless drivers. And the results can be fatal for the horse.

Aside from the injuries and accidents, the horses also have to endure their living and working conditions. Horses are forced to pull heavy carriages in extreme weather conditions and are exposed to a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels.

In New York City, during the summer, temperatures may reach up to 30 degrees Celsius. This puts the horse at risk of dehydration and overheating. A typical horse drinks 5 to 10 gallons of water a day, however, carriage horses will require greater volumes as they may lose up to 10 gallons of water from evaporation. There have been cases where carriage horses have even died from heatstroke.

Even if the dangers of overheating and dehydration are reduced in the cold winters, horses can still suffer from frostbite on their hooves.

Another concern is that because horses are forced to work in heavily congested cities like New York City, not only causes them stress but they also spend most of their days breathing in exhaust fumes from cars directly in front of them. Long-term exposures can lead to many respiratory problems including bronchitis and inflammatory airway disease.

These carriage horses are also forced to endure walking on hard pavement for many hours, usually without any breaks. This can damage their hooves and cause pain with every step even if their hooves are properly shoed and can even cause broken legs. In most urban settings, these horses will have no access to a pasture for a majority of the year only some only spend a five-week period every year away from the hard pavement which is not enough to maintain a healthy hoof.

It doesn’t end there. Majority of carriage horses, when they grow either too old or ill to continue pulling the carriages, will be sent to slaughter to be turned into food for dogs or carnivores in zoos, or even shipped overseas to be killed for human consumption.

Horses are not afforded the protection under the Animal Welfare Act, which means the local animal control officials are the ones in looking out for the horses’ welfare. However, they simply do not have the time and resources to watch over the horse-drawn carriages and ensure they are being treated well.  

The argument made to keep the horse-drawn carriage industry going is that if the industry closes, the people will lose their jobs. This is an unfair and biased argument. People can always look for an alternative employment. But for these horses, it is their one and only life. And it is not meant to be spent satisfying unnecessary wants of the people.