The decision has been taken in light of what happened last week: there was a serious accident involving a carriage and a motorbike, which resulted in the death of the horse and injury to the driver. The mayor of Capdepera, Rafel Fernández, says that the decision had already been taken and so has not been motivated by the accident. The local police, meanwhile, are investigating the causes of the accident.
Més, in opposition at the town hall, have issued a statement deploring what happened and are proposing that there is a debate to consider wider regulation of the types of vehicles on the resort's roads, such as quads and Segways. The party wishes to create a "new model of transport" for Cala Ratjada which is more sustainable, meaning less dependence on cars and vehicles and greater pedestrianisation.
The subject of horse carriages was very much alive in Palma last year, the then new administration at the town hall raising proposals by which the carriages in the city would be replaced by other means of transport. Part of the context to this was the highly publicised incident of a horse that had collapsed, apparently suffering from the heat, and which was revived by having water thrown over it. Tougher inspection of animal care has in the meantime been introduced in the city.
However, with regard to replacing the horse and carriages with other means of transport, little ground has been made and animal-rights groups are continuing to mount pressure on the town hall to take action, especially as the summer is here and temperatures are going to start rising, making life uncomfortable for the horses.
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I have holidayed I alcudia and complained several times about horse being run up and down with the carriages doing eight hour shifts in searing heat, I also complained about lack of water troughs in the area, that was around four years ago, so hope they do ban them, as usual its the poor animals that suffer again
Sshould be banned all over the island, especially Palma with too much traffic, it's a cruel and outdated practice. Those poor horses in high temperatures having to negotiate traffic, most of them don't look well. Dread to think what conditions they are kept in !! BAN THEM ALL
Why is the Majorcan government so cruel allowing animals to be subjected to searing heat from the Sun and pollution from vehicles. Boycott all animal usage/humiliation and adopt the ethical treatment of all animals now including Dolphins.