Call for a Ban on Horse-Drawn Carriages in Mallorca

In the Mallorca tourist destinations of Alcúdia, Palma, and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, dozens of exhausted horses are forced to pull carriages laden with tourists through the busy streets. Many of the debilitated animals collapse – especially in the summer, when temperatures regularly reach 35 degrees. Others get caught up in noisy traffic, which often leads to accidents – the honk of a car's horn or even just an insect bite can be enough to trigger the horses' instinct to bolt.

Mallorca Doesn't Need Horse-Drawn Carriages

Cities such as London, Paris, and Toronto no longer issue licences for horse-drawn tourist carriages, and many – including Oxford, Barcelona, New Delhi, and Tel Aviv – have already banned them altogether. By switching to using electric vehicles instead, Mallorca would be making its streets safer and providing tourists with a more compassionate and eco-friendly way to explore the island's sights.

Horses Deserve Meaningful Lives

Horses are sensitive, social animals who naturally live in herds. They need sufficient exercise as well as appropriate food, fresh water, regular care, and veterinary treatment. If these most basic needs aren't met, the animals suffer throughout their lives and may develop serious illnesses. When cared for properly, given adequate space, and allowed to live free from exploitation and abuse, horses can live for 35 years or longer.

Please urge the mayors of Alcúdia, Palma, and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar to ban horse-drawn carriages, or galeras, in their towns and switch to using electric tourist vehicles instead.

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Mayor

José

Hila

Mayor of Palma

Mayor

Bàrbara

Rebassa Bisbal

Mayor of Alcúdia

Mayor

Mateu

Puigròs

Mayor of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar

Dear {contact_data~salutation} {contact_data~lastName}

I was dismayed to learn about the suffering of horses who are used for carriage rides in Mallorca, and I urge you to introduce a ban on horse-drawn carriages.

The horses are forced to pull heavy loads, surrounded by busy traffic, all day long. They're made to work in all weather extremes – including in the summer, when temperatures can reach 35 degrees – and some collapse from exhaustion and dehydration. Breathing in vehicle exhaust fumes can cause them to develop respiratory illnesses, and walking on hard surfaces can leave them with leg conditions.

Horses are sensitive, skittish animals who are easily spooked by unexpected noises such as car horns. In the heavy, noisy traffic, they're subjected to constant stress, which sometimes leads them to bolt and cause accidents.

London, Paris, and Toronto have stopped giving out commercial tourist carriage licences and place strict limits on special-use carriages. Many other cities, such as Barcelona; New Delhi, India; Oxford, UK; and Tel Aviv, Israel, have already banned horse-drawn carriages.

Horses belong on pastures where they can rest in the shade, move about freely, and interact with members of their own species. Replacing horse-drawn carriages with electric, eco-friendly tourist vehicles would offer several advantages for everyone: for example, unpredictable horses would no longer pose a danger to road users, and your towns would have an innovative tourist attraction. Please take this important step for animal welfare, which many tourists will appreciate.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

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Call for a Ban on Horse-Drawn Carriages in Mallorca

Please urge the mayors of Alcúdia, Palma, and Sant Llorenç des Cardassar to ban horse-drawn carriages, or galeras, in their towns and switch to using electric tourist vehicles instead.

Send Your Message

Thank You for Speaking Out For Horses.