Barb - I have to agree with you in part, because a big city is really no place for horses, in this modern world. If there were less cars and more people who still appreciated the value of a good cart horse, that would be one thing. If you look back even 100 years, horses were still a huge part of just about every city in the world. Now though, I don't think they're appreciated as fully as they should be. I used to work under a lady who owned a carriage company in Pennsylvania, and although her Belgians were steady as ever and had hooves bigger than my head, I still just think some places are not suited for carriages any more.


However, where I'm from (Portland, Oregon in the states), horses are very much a part of our culture, and we still have a rather large mounted police force. In the city, we don't have as many (okay, really any) carriages any more, but we still have hitching rings and just about all the original houses in the metro area have carriage houses. It's a recognizable part of our culture... it's just not really realistic with the technology of today, I think.


I think I remember seeing a show on Animal Planet once about this island somewhere off the states I believe, that was run entirely off horse power. Teams of horses were hitched up to big wagons to take out the town's trash, bring in the retail shipments, etc etc. Did anyone else see it/remember where that is?

 I think we need better educated owners/drivers that are more aware of when a horse needs down time, when a horse is injured or ill, and how much a horse can handle in a day. Do I think horses and vehicles should be on busy roads together? No. Do I think it is appropriate for horses to be giving carriage rides in parks/unbusy roads? Sure. I have to admit though, the only "carriage" rides I've seen really, are the ones offered this time of year in the next town over through the park to view Christmas lights.

 I do believe that heavy horses are well suited for their job, after all, they were bred to do this job day in and day out (light breed horses aren't as suited for the job, IMO). Now if we could get horses suited for the jobs, and get them some welfare rights, that would be great! Otherwise, there is no place for animal abuse and carriage horses should be banned from tourist areas.

 We can't ban carriage horses on the roads everywhere, as some places still rely on the horse for transportation.

Eclipse: I think Mackinaw Island is the place I'm thinking of.
Nikki: I couldn't agree more. Horses that are well suited and bred for the job are perfectly fine. They've got big sturdy hooves and bones meant to spend long hours on hard surfaces. But it's true that even the most fit creature for the job does need a day off. Horses need welfare rights just as well as any human.

I just watched the video, the dog was attacking the horse's legs and head (the horse was down on one knee) while people were kicking the dog to get him away from the horse. Apparently the dog was owned by a homeless man that disappeared and the dog has been running the streets for a few days. The horse got stitches in some of the wounds, others had to be left open for drainage and the news reporter said the horse will be on stall rest. Scary!

These are great photos, Nikki! The horses look to be in excellent health and I'm certain the customers at Timmie's had quite a surprise!