Project 365 Day 14

Carriage Horse

When I first decided on this pic for today's post, I had no idea this was such a hot topic. Just google "carriage horse". There are whole societies against it. Locally, there have been a few articles in the newspaper concerning the health and well-being of these animals which are frequently seen around town ferrying tourists through the downtown district, but past and current vets have publicly stated that these animals are treated and taken care of. After all, they represent a substantial investment on the part of the carriage tour owners. When not giving rides, the drivers are frequently seen at the carriage stop currying or just petting the horses. One driver even said he thinks of his horses as his pets. So why is there such an outrage about carriage horses? Granted, yes, it is hot here during the summer, but if they were out to pasture, wouldn't they be standing in the sun anyway? And these are draft horses, bred to pull a load. They are frequently used by Amish as plow horses. I don't think a light carriage with 8-10 people in it is going to be that much of a strain, especially at no more than a slow walk. After 8 years working downtown, I've learned to tell the horses apart, and they get more days off than I do. The above is Rodney, and he works Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays one week, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays the next week. And the kids at Presbyterian Playschool across the street love them! "Horsie, horsie!" And are these animals smart! I've have never seen Rodney's driver even have to touch the reins to get him to stop at the "pink gingerbread" which is next door to our office (see Day 12 and 13). Okay, enough rambles for tonight!