Malaga Bans Horse-Drawn Carriages
Update (6 October 2025): Malaga’s Mayor Officially Bans Horse-Drawn Carriages!
The streets of Malaga, Spain, are finally free of horse-drawn carriages. Mayor Francisco De la Torre announced an immediate ban on horse-drawn carriage rides for tourists after reaching an agreement with operators, bringing the ban forward from 2035. This means that horses in Malaga will be spared a miserable life pulling tourists around in the searing heat. Animal advocates in Spain are now demanding that the 61 horses previously used to pull carriages be given a proper retirement by being moved to horse refuges, or rehomed via rescue centres, with some already finding sanctuary.
Update (22 January 2025): Malaga’s Mayor To Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages by the End of the Year
Good news for horses! The streets of Malaga, Spain, will soon be free of horse-drawn carriages. The mayor has announced plans to get rid of them by the end of the year, sooner than the original 2035 commitment, sparing even more horses a miserable life pulling tourists around the city in the searing heat.
Original blog (8 August 2024):
Malaga’s councillor for mobility, Trinidad Hernández, stated that there would be no horse-drawn carriages in the city by 2035. Although that’s a long way off, the end of this exploitation is finally in sight.
Malaga Will Tackle Cruelty to Animals
Horses forced to pull carriages endure a miserable existence – they may suffer in harsh weather conditions, get spooked by traffic, or develop respiratory ailments from breathing in exhaust fumes or debilitating leg problems from walking on hard surfaces.
When forced to pull heavy carriages in the heat, horses often collapse. This is especially common under the scorching summer sun, when animals can suffer from heat exhaustion and dehydration, as happened recently during the Feria de Málaga. Earlier this year in Seville, a horse died after pulling a carriage in temperatures of up to 36°C.
Horse-Drawn Carriages Are Dangerous
The ban acknowledges that busy streets are no place for sensitive horses, who often panic 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 terror.
Horses Are Not Taxis
Horses are easily agitated and sensitive to noise. Forcing them to pull carriages all day on noisy, busy roads puts them and the public at risk. They are social animals who foster important relationships with their family and herd members. Did you know that mother horses sing “lullabies” to their young to soothe them? They don’t deserve to be worked to exhaustion or death.
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.
Dozens of Cities Say Neigh to Cruelty Against Horses
Malaga will join many other cities – including Brussels and Rome – that have taken a stand against this cruel industry by either banning or restricting horse-drawn carriages.
Take Action Against Horse-Drawn Carriages
Call for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in Mallorca now:
Help Animals in 2026: Renew Your PETA Membership!
Donate Now
