Horse-Drawn Carriages Banned From Prague Centre
Good news for horses! Prague City Council has banned horse-drawn carriages in the iconic Old Town Square.
The Council voted to terminate the lease agreements with the Guild of Fiacre Drivers and Coachmen of Bohemia and Moravia for carriage stands in the square. With this compassionate move, Prague joins a growing list of cities that recognise forcing horses to pull heavy carriages all day in all weather conditions is cruel and outdated.
The Cruelty of Horse Carriages
Horses used for carriage rides experience pain and exhaustion every single day, and they often develop respiratory issues from city pollution. They are terrified by the loud noises of fast cars and horns they’re forced to walk alongside, and are at risk of injury or death from collisions with cars or motorbikes. There are accounts of horses in some cities bolting away out of fear, posing a serious risk to both them and humans.
Forced to work all day, horses used for carriage rides often develop debilitating leg problems, sores on their bodies, and damaged teeth. Individuals may be killed when they are too old or injured to continue.
Some tourists unknowingly support this cruelty by paying for these rides and taking selfies with the horses, forgetting that they are living beings, not toy cars or taxis. They feel pain, fear, and exhaustion, and deserve to be treated with compassion, not used as transport for entertainment.
Every animal is someone, and no one should be to be exploited for profit or amusement.
Prague Does the Right Thing for Horses
Horse carriages have been debated for years in Prague, and 16,000 signed a petition to ban them.
As one councillor pointed out, Prague city centre is particularly exposed to high temperatures in warmer months due to hot concrete pavements and a lack of trees. This made life even more exhausting for the animals, who were already subjected to daily stress and exploitation.
How You Can Help Horses
Prague joins the likes of Malaga, Brussels, and Chicago in saying “neigh” to horse-drawn carriages. These cities have done the right thing – but others need to catch up. Please, tell Mallorca to ban horse-drawn carriages:
Stay away from any activities that exploit animals. Find out more about the cruelty of animals used for entertainment here:
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