The collapse of a horse pulling a tourist carriage in Izamal has reignited the debate surrounding animal welfare in Yucatán.
Several onlookers rushed to the aid of the animal who eventually was able to get back on its feet and return to its stable.
This is not the first time such an event has occurred, as the collapse of horses has become a semi-regular occurrence in Mérida.
Horse carriage rides are a traditional tourist attraction in Yucatán, but many argue that the practice is tantamount to animal abuse.
In 2021, Mérida Mayor Renán Barrera Concha presented his “Comprehensive Plan for Calesas in Mérida,” which would motorize horse-and-buggies.
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However, the plan did not go over well with coachmen who did not think the idea would be viable.
“I think the attractiveness of this means of transport is that it has horses and if they are modified, they may not be as profitable as it is now, so it is important that they ask us first about any change,” said Einar Medina Borges, secretary-general of the Union of Carriage Drivers.
Fans and coachmen also question if an electric vehicle, no matter how cute, has the tourist appeal of a horse-drawn carriage.
But controversy surrounding the use of animals as a form of entertainment or tourist attractions is not limited to horse-pulled carriages.
Bloodsports such as cockfighting and bullfighting are still popular among some segments of society, despite protests from animal rights groups.
