The German Animal Welfare Federation warns that serious animal welfare violations can occur time and again on tourist carriage rides. The most recent incident in Seville, Spain, shows that even sick horses can be subjected to the stresses and strains of pulling a carriage in the heat: a horse collapsed and died. But such incidents are also possible in this country - especially in the summer months.
"Carriage rides for tourists, which are offered in many places, are often at the expense of the horses. In addition to long operating times with too short breaks and inadequate provision of water and feed, the climate can also be a problem for the animals. Mountainous or stony paths make pulling the carriage even more difficult. The horses are stressed by city noise and exhaust fumes," says Andrea Mihali, horse expert at the German Animal Welfare Federation. The horses have to exert themselves massively to pull large carriages with lots of people. There are also overcrowded carriages. In some cases, the necessary harness does not fit the animals properly and causes pressure points or chafing.
CARRIAGE HORSE DIES IN EXTREME HEAT IN SPAIN
Horses that are in poor health or too old are also used, as the incident in Seville shows. The animal collapsed and died during the Feria de Abril festival. It had previously been pulling a carriage through the city center with another horse in temperatures of up to 36 degrees. A video showing the coachman trying in vain to supply the horse with water has caused consternation far beyond Spain's borders. According to media reports, the autopsy revealed that the deceased horse was suffering from acute piroplasmosis - an infection caused by tick bites that leads to bouts of fever. The owner had used the animal even though he knew it was ill and even though the local temperatures were too high for a carriage ride anyway.
GERMAN ANIMAL WELFARE FEDERATION CALLS FOR A BAN ON COMMERCIAL CARRIAGE RIDES
The German Animal Welfare Federation is calling for a consistent ban on commercial carriage rides in cities that are prone to accidents due to narrow alleyways, for example, or in cities with road traffic where horses are exposed to car exhaust fumes. The animals have to walk over hard asphalt or pavement all day long, often at unnaturally high speeds. In summer, the heat can become an additional burden, especially in cities. Running in traffic means stress and carries an increased risk of accidents, as horses are flight animals and act accordingly in dangerous situations: They can become frightened and thus become a danger to themselves and others.
The German Animal Welfare Federation recommends that tourists refrain from taking carriage rides or riding excursions during their vacation. This is the only way they can help to put a permanent end to animal suffering. In some places, such as Palma de Mallorca, politicians have already reacted and decided to ban horse-drawn carriages. In the capital of the Balearic island, only electrically powered carriages will be permitted from 2024.
