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Diane Ramsay
Created: Oct 27, 2009 11:00 AM
As I was driving along Front Street this week, I could not help but notice a commercial carriage horse standing under the canopy with his head just hanging really low, just looking physically drained, and also a very badly swollen back leg. This whole situation could have been handled so different if the Corporation of Hamilton and St. George's Corporation and West End Development in Dockyard were given strict guidelines by the government body namely the Environment Protection Officer who are in charge of licensing of commercial stables. It would keep a close watch for the well being of the horse, who needs a voice, all kinds of terrible abuses have been going on for 30 years, and still no change. for someone like myself who has owned and shown horses for 50 years and would like to see a change and be a voice for the horses, here is a list of recommendations and guidelines that would help.

September 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

As I was driving along Front Street this week, I could not help but notice a commercial carriage horse standing under the canopy with his head just hanging really low, just looking physically drained, and also a very badly swollen back leg. This whole situation could have been handled so different if the Corporation of Hamilton and St. George's Corporation and West End Development in Dockyard were given strict guidelines by the government body namely the Environment Protection Officer who are in charge of licensing of commercial stables. It would keep a close watch for the well being of the horse, who needs a voice, all kinds of terrible abuses have been going on for 30 years, and still no change. for someone like myself who has owned and shown horses for 50 years and would like to see a change and be a voice for the horses, here is a list of recommendations and guidelines that would help.

1) Physical Examination

All carriage horses should be examined for fitness by a licensed veterinarian at least once per year. This should be done prior to horse registration. Physical examination should include jogging for soundness, ocular, dental and cardiovascular examination and advise on shoeing and feeding. Evidence of appropriate vaccinations deworming and dentistry may also be required.

2) Records

Carriage horse owners should keep a log of each horse's daily work hours. also each horse should have an individual medical record including record of illness and treatment, vaccinations, deworming and shoeing and dentistry. All accidents involving carriage horses, including those with no injuries, should be reported to the regulating agency.

3) Stabling

Stables should be well ventilated, cleaned daily and large enough for the horse to lie down, free choice to water and have mineralised salt at all times. The stable should be regularly inspected by enforcement officers and annually by fire inspectors.

4) Traffic

Carriage horses should be prohibited from working in areas of excessive or unsafe motor vehicle traffic during peak traffic hours.

5) Operator Education

Carriage horse operators, owners and drivers should be trained in basic health care and emergency care of horses and safe driving techniques, and also have to monitor in the summer months when the heat temperature is in the 90s.

The reason for this letter is in April 2007 there was a horrific accident at Harbour Nights involving two grey runaway horses. There was a big public outcry and as usual after everything is forgotten in time, the plight of the carriage horse is still unchanged and the horse is still being exploited and still has no voice.

DEBBIE MASTERS

Devonshire