This is a counter-petition to the petition demanding a ban of horse-drawn carriages on the Plaza (http://www.change.org/petitions/kansas-city-country-club-plaza-ban-horse-drawn-carriages-in-kansas-city). This petition is not meant to slander the original petitioner calling for the ban, rather, it's to give a voice to the numerous people I've seen and heard give support for the carriage horses and their owners, trainers and drivers. 

While well intentioned, the petition demanding the ban alleges that the horses' safety and welfare are at risk while on the job from stress sustained to their hooves and joints, and a potentially dangerous work environment (they cite traffic, noises, and weather as environmental stressors). We all can certainly appreciate the risks to the job, and agree that safety measures should always be taken when these horses are in busy traffic or could be working in extreme temperatures. It appears that KC Carriages and their employees take these matters to heart and ensure the well-being of their horses by NOT working during extreme low or high temperatures, and take extreme caution when cueing their horses around congested traffic. Veterinary checks are performed on each horse every 90 days and when needed in-between. I can not speak for sure of the farrier work on these horses since every horse owner prefers something a little different for their companions, but most pulling horses working on asphalt are shod protectively and with extra shock absorption in mind; whether it be foam with a hard pad between horseshoe and hoof, a rubber pad, or a rubber piece just between hoof wall and the steel. Every precaution is taken to ensure their comfort before and after their retirement.

Any experienced horseperson can tell you, while there are no 100% sure ways to ensure that your horse will not shy in public, there is training to "bomb proof" a horse to the noises, sights and lights of busy public areas. Parade horses, trail horses and performance horses like these are all given thorough, careful and humane training at home to familiarize them with what they'll face on the job. Much like training any other animal not to show fear and to stay calm in strange situations, you take the horse through exercises meant to expose them to new things, and give them A LOT of positive reinforcement when they do things correctly and don't heed their natural instincts to run away. Horses like these learn to trust what their trainer is saying or doing because, to them, that trainer is the "lead horse" that keeps them safe. If they see that their trainer or handler is calm, it's more likely that they'll be calm as well because they respect them and love them as a leader. A responsible owner will tell you that this training takes YEARS and that you NEVER put a horse into a situation that they are not ready for. It goes without saying that the horses on the plaza are experienced professionals that care as much for their human counterparts' safety as they do for their own. 

The real fact of the matter is that these horses are not being abused. They are performing a job that they spent years in training for, and that they enjoy. Almost all of these horses are a heavy draft or draft crossbreeds which gives them a cooler temperament (meaning they have a lot of intelligence and common sense, and do not react with fear or hyperactivity to outside stimuli... they're also very nice and easy to train, typically). Their bone structure and muscular structure, over centuries of careful breeding, have enabled them to pull large loads with ease and they ENJOY IT. These horses are meant to work for a living and get bored or soured if they aren't working. A lowered head and ears on these horses while on the plaza doesn't mean they're not wanting to be there, it often means they're resting and relaxed! See that hoof that's not completely on the ground but resting on it's tip? That's typical horse language saying, "I'm relaxed and happy! This is comfortable."

So if you agree with me and if this petition has given you (non horse people) some insight into the real world of these animals, please sign and keep this tradition and this company alive on the Plaza. 

If you think something needs to be changed for these horses (vehicle traffic re-direction, better explanation into their welfare on the part of KC Carriages on their website, etc), let's talk about those things before we ban them from doing their job. Feel free to talk to the drivers on the Plaza about their horses, ask them polite questions or ask where you can learn more about these amazing creatures! But please, don't assume that they aren't serious about their horse's welfare. Nothing is more serious to a responsible horseperson. Absolutely nothing! These are partners and family members... not slaves. The people that work with them are NOT animal abusers bent on being cruel to helpless creatures. They are people with a passion, talent and the experience in working with these horses, and they enjoy a special bond that no one else gets to enjoy with them. Please let them share their work and joy with you! Thank you!