Thousands of horses, mules, Yaks and Downs are employed Walks and excursions with tourists Worldwide. But bad praxis, zero or limited veterinary attention and surplus work. They can cause them serious problems To animals.
Most of them are exploited every day, for long days, outside their borders, which tourists wear by complicated country against bargain prices, often under the burning sun, without almost water and tranquility. These equids can suffer Insolation, wounds, hits and injuries. Likewise, horses are thrown away They can have accidents with other vehicles, especially in cities with a lot of traffic.
Animals are usually taken during carriage walks trotA speed too high, because the car, in the case of stopping, can clash with the animal. The small tranquility received by these euzen usually takes place in Blocks in the same city center And in general in inappropriate circumstances. When they no longer serve to generate economic benefits, animals end up in the slaughterhouse and are replaced by others.
In countries like Nepal, Bután, India y Alaska, at the yaks used as a means of transport to move tourists, they are usually drill with a snout ringVery sensitive area, to pull and operate it. Some operators too They load excess They do not offer their animals the necessary breaks during the long journeys they need to resort.
Animal problems
Exist various factors that influence the animal welfare of the forced equids to workSuch as the dimensions and strengths of animals, distances and the countries to be covered, the veterinary equipment that is available at the local level.
Under trouble More commonWe emphasize:
- Overload: Often animals are mounted by people without experience, too heavy for them, or by more than one person at the same time. These taxes, and sometimes poorly distributed, can increase the risk of serious problems, such as fractures.
- Wounds: The constant friction with the seats and other equipment can cause wounds and ulcers.
- Succeed: In addition to causing fear, the strokes cause animals, wounds that can be infected.
- Lack of veterinary attention: These animals usually do not receive the necessary veterinary checks, or in the absence of interest from their owners or for their high costs. It is common to observe horses with slats, because they are usually not injured or sufficiently cared for with the hooves.
- Stress for dehydration and warmth: Animals that make efforts need a lot of water and shade not to lose essential minerals and salts when they sweat. But several of these equids suffer from malnutrition and dehydration, and lack shadow and resting areas.
The attitude Of these animals, they usually betray when they are comfortable and in good health. Many present the Go downstairs, Loose closed and the ears back. The weight of your body may not be well distributed because of pain In some of the limbs or in the helmets, which are sometimes cracked or distorted. The prominent bones Hip, spine and pelvis betray poor physical condition.
Equids should not be used in activities of Load before 3 years age, because they are still in it Development phase physically. Above all, young, pregnant, wounded, sick and older animals may not be set up.
On the other hand, to take advantage of these animals as quickly as possible, is a common practice Separate the young people from their mothers too early. In the case of horses, donkeys and donkeys, the youngsters must be breastfed by their mothers to the least the 6 months Age
Less cruel options
Travelers can choose to visit the place where they use alternative transport media, especially in the case of large cities such as New York, Sevilla or Paris, which are endless Other options To move. If even the implications for animals know, a tourist decides to hire one of these activities, the following tips should follow for minimize Damage to animals:
Like -minded sizes: Always choose an animal whose size is compatible with that of the person who will assemble it and to ensure that the weight on the animal is well distributed.
Pay a fair price: Promotion of competition for price among animal owners only devaluing the work of the Equids and means that both the owner and the animal have to work even harder to win a decent salary. The supplier must be indicated why it was chosen and encouraged that other owners see that the state of their animals influence the decisions of tourists.
- One person per animal: No horse or donkey may wear more than one person at the same time. The animal must accept the weight without discomfort and be able to walk, stop and move easily.
- A wheel per person in the cars: The number of wheels of a car determines the number of people who can come up with this: two people in a car with two wheels and so on. The carriages must be performed on the rhythm of the walk, and not faster, to prevent damage to the animal.
- Study: It is important to verify that animals are in good condition and healthy: for example, they have a good layer of meat instead of prominent bones in the hip, or not limk.
- Avoid using animals with wounds: Observe well, even under chairs or harnesses- the places where the equipment can touch and cause animals (such as mouth, shoulders, spine and belly).
- Search for comfort boards: A healthy animal will have a high head, open eyes, ears ahead and will be kept with good distributed weight. It is important to look into the four legs of pain or injury and to verify that the helmets have not cracked or distorted.
- Header instead of hoop in the snout: In the case of the Yaks, a supplier who takes animals with heads must be chosen instead of throwing them out of the snout.
Goodbye for cars with horses in Malaga
Good news! Recently the mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, announced that The 25 horse cars that still works in the city will stop working in this 2025. For years, Animal organizations have denounced the stress conditions, extreme heat and long hours of work to which these animals are subjectWho runs through the asphalt that pulls heavy carriage for tourists. The announced measure finally ends this archaic practice.
The mayor explained that they work in conversations with the owners of the horses to compensate for them, because the current concessions are still valid for almost 11 years. Also, as Sustainable alternativeHe The city council promotes an electric bicycle service With more than 100 stations spread in the 11 districts of the city.