Carriage horses were once necessary for people to be mobile in society. Currently they are used for, among other things, weddings and city tours. Now that people have other forms of transportation, the historical tradition of carriage horses does not outweigh the suffering imposed on the animals.

Urban-like conditions are dangerous and are not humane and proper environments for carriage horses. The animals often develop lameness from walking on hard surfaces, such as asphalt. They are subject to developing respiratory ailments from breathing in exhaust fumes and air pollution. Animals have collapsed from heatstroke and suffered irreparable harm or have died from weather extremes. 

In city street settings, the animals must dodge motor vehicle traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Horses operate on a keen flight response. As such, these animals are easily startled and may run wild. There are recorded instances in which horses have injured humans or have been hit by motor vehicle operators.

Because it is not cost-effective to keep animals who can no longer physically provide labor, the animals who survive the carriage horse ride industry are often sent to slaughter.

Outside of the United States, most major global cities, including Toronto, Paris, and London, have banned the horse-drawn carriage trade. It is time for Oklahoma to do the same. Cruelty to animals does not belong in the streets of OKC.

You can help create a peaceful future for these enslaved horses and mules who are depending on you to speak for them. These animals deserve the right to be free from human-imposed exploitation. Let's demonstrate our compassion by supporting the ban of horse-drawn carriages in our city.