Horses pulling carriages amidst the hustle and bustle of city streets in St Augustine, FL, feels like a relic of a bygone era. These magnificent, sentient beings are forced to endure extreme conditions—slogging through grueling Florida heat, tangled in dangerous traffic, and inhaling exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke. Their "rest" is in dilapidated stables at Robert Hayling Park—hardly a place befitting these regal creatures.

In today’s world, we need to reassess and evolve beyond practices that compromise the wellbeing of animals. Horses in St Augustine are stripped of their bodily autonomy and denied the simple pleasures of life, such as grazing in open pastures. We mustn't wait for another tragic accident to make a positive change. Incidents with spooked horses, runaway carriages, and collisions have already marred the city streets.

St Augustine is blessed with a multitude of cruelty-free alternatives for touring— golf carts, pedicabs, trolleys, electric carriages, to name a few. These options not only ensure the safety of tourists but also uphold a commitment to animal welfare.

It is entirely unjust for these horses to bear the weight of carriages and the burden of a practice that has long since outlived its relevance. The city should lead the way in ethical tourism by putting an end to horse-drawn carriage rides.

Sign this petition to urge St Augustine city officials to put an end to horse-drawn carriage rides and champion humane and modern alternatives. For the love of these noble creatures and in pursuit of a compassionate city, let's drive change together.