CARRIAGES DRAWN BY HORSES

      Horse Drawn Carriages: IT'S NOT ROMANTIC - There is nothing romantic about horses enduring pain and suffering being forced to toil in all traffic, weather, and stressful chaos. Many suffer respiratory ailments, debilitating leg problems, and some have even dropped dead from heatstroke. Horses are sensitive to loud noises and sounds, and what has both of those things? Busy city streets. Both the horses and people have been hurt and killed because the horses have been spooked and act out. Not to mention the careless and impatient drivers. There is no way that cities, with their exhaust fumes, hard road surfaces, and busy traffic patterns provide humanity for horses.
      Horses have NO federal protection under Animal Welfare Act, so only local animal control officials can help. Unfortunately, most humane authorities do not have the resources or time to monitor the horse-drawn carriages. When they grow tired, old, or ill they are slaughtered and turned into food for dogs or for carnivores in zoos, or are shipped overseas for consumption. You may have liked to believe they are retired to green pastures and loving homes, but no, you are wrong. It is cost-prohibitive to maintain a permanent sanctuary for the countless numbers of horses who break down this industry. Many cities, including Biloxi, Keywest, and Key West have banned horse-drawn carriages.