- Vancouver bylaws allow horse-drawn carriages to operate on busy city streets, putting horses and the public at risk of serious injury.
- The VHS has raised concern about horse-drawn carriages operating at events in busy, high-traffic commercial districts of Vancouver, such as Kerrisdale and Commercial Drive.
- These urban environments are dangerous and can be stressful for horses due to traffic, noise, pollution, and unpredictable surroundings.
- Cities like Montreal, Chicago, and Salt Lake City have already banned or restricted horse-drawn carriages for similar reasons.
SIGN THE PETITION: Urge Vancouver City Council to protect horses and the public from these risks by prohibiting horse-drawn carriages from busy city streets.
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Horses are sensitive, social animals, not suited for navigating the increasingly busy, noisy, and unpredictable streets of a modern city. Yet, Vancouver bylaws still allow horse-drawn carriages to operate on busy roads in high-traffic commercial areas throughout the city.
These urban environments are filled with loud noises, fast-moving traffic, hard pavement, vehicle exhaust, and crowds that can easily startle horses, no matter how experienced or well-trained they are. The physical and mental toll on horses, especially from noise sensitivity, air pollution, and walking on hard concrete for hours, cannot be overlooked.
Growing public concern
Despite growing concerns, existing bylaws do not address the safety and welfare issues that carriage horses face in busy city environments.
In 2020, nearly 7,000 people signed a petition urging the Vancouver Park Board to remove horse-drawn carriages from Stanley Park, showing that public concern around this outdated practice is strong and growing.
In recent years, incidents in Vancouver, Victoria, and Montreal have underscored the risks associated with horse-drawn carriages in busy urban environments. Horses have bolted after being spooked, fallen on slippery streets, and collided with traffic. Cities across North America, including Montreal, have since chosen to ban or restrict horse-drawn carriages to prevent further harm.
Previous Incidences
Vancouver – Stanley Park
2016: A team of horses pulling a carriage was startled by a car horn and bolted along the Stanley Park seawall with passengers on board. The horses crossed a bike path, smashed a bench, and ran for approximately 100 metres. Multiple people were injured, including the driver who fell from the carriage.
Source: YouTube – CTV News footage of the incident.
Victoria – Downtown
2018: A horse-drawn carriage rolled back into a BC Transit bus that was following too closely. The impact caused both horses to fall and block traffic. They remained on the ground for over five minutes, and bystanders attempted to help, putting themselves at risk. Just months later, another carriage horse team was spooked and crashed into a parked car. Witnesses reported smashed windows and that the horses climbed onto the vehicle’s roof with their front hooves.
Source: YouTube video of the incident.
2023: A carriage horse tripped over a bike lane curb and fell after being spooked when its bridle caught on a railing following a tour. The driver was thrown from the carriage, which became stuck halfway in the bike lane, and sustained a minor cut to the head.
Source: Times Columnist
2024: A carriage horse is spooked after an equipment malfunction, resulting in the driver losing control of the horse, who proceeds to run and buck through an intersection. Passengers jumped out of the carriage before the horse collapsed on the concrete.
Source: Saanich News article
Holiday Event Observations in Vancouver
In recent years, the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has monitored and documented several holiday events in Vancouver where horse-drawn carriages were used in busy commercial areas like Kerrisdale and Commercial Drive.
These events revealed patterns of concern, including:
- Carriages turning across oncoming traffic at intersections
- Loud and unpredictable noises (car alarms, ambulance sirens, music, dogs, bikes)
- Members of the public approaching horses without supervision
- Horses operating dangerously close to moving traffic
- Horses showing potential signs of stress or agitation (e.g. head shaking, bit chewing, pawing)
Source: VHS Youtube Compilation
Together, We Can Make a Difference
SIGN THE PETITION: Urge Vancouver City Council to protect the well-being and safety of horses and the public by prohibiting horse-drawn carriages from busy city streets.