No More Horsing Around in Rome

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

11 Jul 2008 11:56 PM

Horses in New York's Central Park are not the only ones animal rights activists are looking to save. Passionate horse lovers in Italy want visitors to use other means of transportation to tour famous landmarks in Rome other than horse-drawn carriages.

A strong contingency of animal activists are trying to ban the use of horse drawn carriages saying traffic, pollution, heat and heavy loads expose the animals to health risks. According to one animal rights association, about 90 horses are employed in Rome to carry tourists to see the city's landmarks (such as the Colosseum) on busy streets full of speeding cars, motorcycles, and mopeds.

Reports say the activists are so concerned about the horses' health that they have appealed to Rome's city hall asking government officials to eliminate the service immediately. The animal rights activists propose the coachmen be rehired as cab drivers and the horses be placed on farms. City hall, which regulates the licenses for both, has yet to make a decision on the fate of the horse-drawn carriages.

In the meantime, the owners of the horse-drawn carriage operations are reportedly irate that the animal activists are trying to put them out of business. The coachmen vehemently deny the accusations that their horses are overworked or abused.

"The horses are our partners at work, and very often, they are also partners for life," one coachman told local news reporters. The 44-year-old horse-drawn carriage operator says he owns five horses and has been a coachman for 20 years. He says claims that he abuses his animals are an outrage.

"How could we ever mistreat a companion that strolls around the town with us all day?" the man asked reporters.

Most horse-drawn carriage drivers park near the Spanish Steps and offer rides to visitors who want to take a break from touring the picturesque city on foot. Each ride lasts for about 30 minutes or less and veterinarians say at a slow pace most horses don't struggle with the weight.

Have you ever taken a horse-drawn carriage ride in Rome? Do you think they should be banned?

Related Articles:

What You Didn't Know About Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides

Where to Roam in Rome

Seeing Red in Rome

Taking an Affordable Holiday to Italy

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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