Brussels Bans Horse-Drawn Carriages!
Since 1 January 2024, cruel horse-drawn carriages have been banned in the Belgian capital and replaced by horseless electric carriages, making Brussels the first European city to offer this mode of transport to tourists. This exemplary move means that horses are no longer being forced to pull heavy carts of tourists through the city’s noisy, crowded streets.
Horses forced to pull carriages endure a miserable existence – they may suffer in harsh weather conditions, get spooked by traffic, develop respiratory ailments from breathing in exhaust fumes, or develop debilitating leg problems from walking on hard surfaces.
Brussels has joined many other cities – including Rome and Malaga – that have taken a stand against this cruel industry by either banning or restricting horse-drawn carriages.
Horse-Drawn Carriages Are Dangerous
The ban acknowledges that busy streets are no place for sensitive horses, who often get spooked in traffic, resulting in injury to – and even the death of – horses or humans. In a split second, a horse can go from appearing calm and sedate to careering blindly down a street in a panic.
Horses forced to pull carriages often become debilitated and collapse, and some die in the street from exhaustion. This is especially common under the scorching summer sun, when animals can suffer from heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Don’t Be Taken for a Ride
Horses are individuals with their own needs and desires who shouldn’t be exploited for any reason.
If you’re a tourist looking to explore a city, take a bus or a taxi, choose a human-powered pedicab, rent a bike from a bike-share service, or simply walk.
Say ‘Neigh’ to the Horse-Drawn Carriage Industry – Take Action Now
Horses are easily agitated and sensitive to noise. Forcing them to pull carriages all day on loud, busy roads puts them and the public at risk. These social animals foster important relationships with their family and herd members – mother horses sing “lullabies” to their young to soothe them. They don’t want to be worked to exhaustion or death in the horse-drawn carriage industry.
Call for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in Mallorca now:
