The carriage horse industry has been banned in many major European cities. The reasons vary, but most commonly cited are:

1. horses spending hours breathing in heavy exhaust fumes,

2. risk of serious injury or death in a traffic accident,

3. poor or inadequate stabling,

4. little care or no veterinary care,

5. poor hoof care, and

6. a life of drudgery, boredom, overwork and depression, and

7. forced to endure extreme outdoor temperatures and weather conditions.

City officials became convinced, because of a steady stream of complaints from concerned citizens and tourists, that the lives of carriage horses were indeed abysmal, and they could not improve their lives, no matter how much the trade is regulated.

In cities where the industry still exists, research has revealed several interesting trends:

1. Carriages are pulled by a team of two horses instead of one.

Many of the carriages used by carriage horse industry will seat six people. As we are all too aware, people are much heavier than they once were. One horse, even a draft horse, pulling a large carriage with six well fed adults is burdensome.

2. Horses employed in pulling carriages in cities outside the United States are required to wear horse "sneakers," or protective rubber coverings over their hooves. This protects their feet and cushions their impact on the concrete and cobbles of city streets.

3. There also appears to be a higher standard of required care monitored through more veterinarian inspections, including unannounced "spot checks."

None of these, however, deal with the issues that we are most interested in:

1. Weather conditions and temperatures horses are allowed or forced to work in.

2. Ample water available when they are working.

3. How many hours the horses are made to work.

4. Veterinary, dental and hoof care.