It’s time for Ottawa to stop the outdated and unnecessary exploitation of horse-drawn rides and come up with more humane entertainment.

We are thrilled to announce that in 2022, the Ottawa Farmers' Market stopped horse carriage rides in response to this petition. Now, we're shifting our focus to horses who are being exploited in the downtown core. Will you help us?

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Montreal and Toronto have permanently banned horse carriage rides. The BC SPCA has called for a provincial ban. The Vancouver Humane Society has created a campaign to ban horse carriage rides. The city of Victoria has received 44,000 signatures in their efforts to ban horse carriage rides. Niagara on the Lake has been subjected to protests by animal welfare advocates and also has a petition with nearly 20,000 signatures. There have been incidents in New York has resulted in the mayor calling for a ban in the city as well, and they have been the focus of controversy for years.

Examples of Incidents in Media
Montreal | Stanley Park | Griffintown | Ogden Park | Quebec City 

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“Horse-drawn carriages are not a charming way for tourists to discover old Montreal – they are a subsidized form of animal cruelty, attracting negative reviews regarding our beautiful city.” - Nicholas Gilman, Montreal SPCA.
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The following is a list of concerns:

Safety
Urban environments are busy and unpredictable which causes a safety risk to both animals and the public. There are dozens of incidents in which horses have been spooked by noises causing them to bolt. The use of blinkers/blinders can cause the horses to be startled, unaware of their surroundings. There is also a high threat of potential collisions with vehicles and cyclists. Between 2009 and 2015, at least sixteen Montreal carriage horses have died. It is important that Ottawa not wait until one of these awful incidents occurs before taking a stance.


Health & Welfare of Horses
There are multiple concerns about the health and welfare of horses, first and foremost that there is no guarantee that the horses will be up to the task. A for profit business operating off of the use of animals for entertainment may be unwilling to suffer financial loss by removing the horse from service. Health concerns begin with the long hours of standing and walking on hard surfaces that can cause lameness; salt-treated roads which can cause frostbite to the hoof; and the effects of air pollution and breathing in car exhaust. There are also concerns over the psychological wellness of horses that are unable to exhibit natural behaviours such as socializing with other horses, moving about freely and grazing.

“Horses deserve better treatment than to be forced to work in dangerous traffic conditions every day, and often in harsh weather, where their lives and welfare are threatened and the safety of pedestrians and drivers are put at risk.” -Patrick Kwan, Humane Society of the United States

Lack of Regulation
In Ottawa, there are currently no regulations and no licensing or training required to operate a horse-drawn carriage or wagon business. There is no maximum time limiting how long horses are required to work for. This means horses are left vulnerable without any protection via inspection or enforcement. There are no standards that check for lameness, or if harnesses are fastened correctly (loose straps will rub and chafe the horse's skin, or too tight and they pinch) or if the horses have been fitted with new horseshoes as often as is needed. There are zero temperament assessment requirements to use a horse in carriage rides.

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Please sign this petition and help us stop the outdated and unnecessary exploitation of horse-drawn rides. Let's ask the City of Ottawa and Byward Market Authority to work with community partners to develop a more humane entertainment option such as rickshaws decorated with holiday lights (which will also help employ dozens of workers). We must end this cruel practice.