My name is Melody, and I am 10 years old. When I visited Victoria, BC with my family in 2026, I saw a horse attached to a carriage pawing at the ground. Pawing is a behavior that can show stress, discomfort, or frustration, especially when a horse is forced to stand still for long periods. Watching this horse struggle made me feel sad and worried. Horses cannot speak up when something hurts or feels wrong, and seeing an animal silently trying to cope with stress made me realize how unfair this situation is.

As I stood there, I noticed how loud the streets were — buses rumbling, cars honking, crowds talking, and tourists walking close to the horse. The horse’s ears flicked back and forth, and its tail swished in a way that looked irritated and anxious. Even though Victoria is a beautiful city, the busy downtown streets are not a peaceful or natural place for horses. They are prey animals who can be easily startled by sudden noises or movements.

Carriage horses often work 8–10 hours a day, according to multiple animal welfare organizations. They work in all weather, including rain, heat, and cold. In the summer, pavement temperatures can rise far above the air temperature, making the ground extremely hot for horses’ hooves. In the winter, cold winds and rain can make long shifts uncomfortable and exhausting. Veterinarians warn that pulling heavy loads for long periods of time can cause heat stress, respiratory strain, joint pain, and dehydration.

Horses also spend their entire workday attached to a carriage, which means they cannot lie down or rest properly. Horses naturally graze throughout the day, eating small amounts of food over many hours. But carriage horses must follow human feeding and watering schedules, which can make long shifts even more uncomfortable. They cannot choose when to rest, when to drink, or when to move freely.

In New York City, animal groups have documented over 70 carriage‑related incidents in the past decade, including horses collapsing in traffic. Videos have shown horses stumbling, falling, or being forced to continue working even when they appear tired or distressed. Montreal voted to ban horse‑drawn carriages in 2019 after repeated accidents involving injured horses. These cities recognized that busy streets filled with cars, buses, and crowds are dangerous for animals who can be easily startled.

Victoria is known for being kind, compassionate, and forward‑thinking. Just because humans have progressed and built modern cities doesn’t mean animals like horses shouldn’t have a choice and a voice. Horses feel fear, fatigue, and discomfort. They experience stress, pain, and exhaustion just like other animals do. They deserve safety, comfort, and kindness.

Retiring horse‑drawn carriages in Victoria is a simple, humane way to protect animals who cannot speak for themselves. It would show that our city values compassion and is willing to evolve toward safer, kinder practices. Horses should not have to work long hours in traffic, surrounded by noise, pollution, and danger. They deserve peaceful lives where they can move freely, rest when they need to, and live without fear or discomfort.