Why you shouldn’t take a horse-drawn carriage ride through East Sacramento this Christmas

As a lifelong animal lover, I am kindly asking you to reconsider a holiday “tradition” that many residents of this city engage in: the horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides in East Sacramento. These rides pose not only a health concern for the horses but also a safety risk for the humans riding behind them.

An accident involving a horse-drawn wagon in the neighborhood last year, for example, could have turned out much worse for those involved. According to a personal account posted on a popular social media page, a driver lost control of a wagon after a horse spooked and its bridle became loose. The wagon hit a parked car, circled East Portal Park and then headed directly into busy evening traffic on J Street.

While the people in the wagon were eventually able to jump out, the event was described as “terrifying.” The passengers included babies, children and adults.

This isn’t the first such safety issue for this carriage company. As reported in a 2009 article by the Sacramento Press, a couple and driver were thrown from their carriage after it was hit by a car, rolled and wrecked near the waterfront on O Street. The passengers were taken to a nearby hospital and treated for their injuries. The horse suffered cuts that required stitches once it was finally caught several streets away, still dragging the broken pieces of the carriage.

According to the World Animal Foundation, 85% of horse carriage accidents in the U.S. have been caused by horses being spooked. Seventy percent of these incidents involved a human injury and in 22% led to a death. As a result, several cities across the U.S. have already banned carriage and wagon rides.

Even for the healthiest of horses, pulling oversize loads like carriages and wagons filled with people can be arduous. In the case of East Sacramento during the holidays, horses work in winter weather conditions and walk the city streets for hours each evening. They must dodge chaotic and noisy holiday traffic as well as pedestrians and bikes crossing the streets in the dark.

These horses can develop respiratory problems from breathing exhaust fumes as they walk behind vehicles. They can also suffer debilitating leg and hoof ailments from walking on city pavement.

Carriage companies commonly respond to criticism by claiming that their horses receive extensive veterinary care, but this raises the question of whether such care is required because of the burdensome work. The enforcement of laws requiring humane treatment of the horses that pull carriages and wagons is often left to state and local officials, which can be a challenge due to a lack of staff and resources for such policing.

There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy the lights and festivities in East Sac this holiday season by walking, riding a bike or renting a fun vehicle. If you or your child loves animals, especially horses, I encourage you to show them respect this holiday season by forgoing this tradition. These are highly sentient creatures, and we will all be safer if we care for each other.