The Impact of Hard Surfaces on Horses: Why City Carriage Horses Are at Risk

Horses and ponies are strong, resilient animals, but their physiology is not suited to prolonged activity on hard, man-made surfaces like asphalt and concrete. These surfaces are a far cry from the natural grasslands and soft soil that horses evolved to move across. For centuries, horses have played a significant role in human society, including in cities like Dublin, where they’ve been used to pull carriages. However, with the advancements in our understanding of animal welfare and the availability of alternative transport, it’s time to reassess the practice of using horses in urban environments.

This article explores why horses are not designed for city streets and how working on hard surfaces can lead to significant long-term health problems. As we learn more about the needs of horses, it becomes clear that this practice is outdated and should be reconsidered.

Evolution and Natural Habitat of Horses

Horses are grazing animals, originally adapted to live on soft, uneven ground like grasslands. Their anatomy—from their hooves to their skeletal and muscular systems—is built for movement across these natural surfaces. In the wild, horses roam large distances, and this movement supports healthy blood circulation, strong joints, and healthy hooves.

Key Evolutionary Traits:

Hooves: A horse’s hoof is designed to absorb shock and bear weight when moving over soft ground. The natural flexing of the hoof helps them navigate uneven terrain and prevents injury.
Joints and Bones: Horses have shock-absorbing joints and lightweight bones that allow them to cover large distances with ease. The elasticity in their legs helps protect them from the constant impact of movement on natural ground.
Muscles and Tendons: Their muscles and tendons are ideally suited to flex and extend smoothly on natural surfaces, protecting them from the jarring forces encountered on harder surfaces.
The Dangers of Hard Surfaces Like Roads and Concrete
When horses are made to work on hard surfaces, such as city streets, they face unnatural physical stress. Unlike grass or dirt, asphalt and concrete don’t absorb the impact of their movement, leading to significant strain on their legs, joints, and hooves.

Joint and Hoof Damage Working on hard surfaces can cause a variety of health problems. The constant impact can lead to painful conditions like laminitis, which affects the tissues bonding the hoof wall to the underlying bone, and arthritis, caused by the wear and tear on their joints.

Scientific Insight: Studies show that the force of a horse’s footfall on hard surfaces is exponentially higher than on natural ground. This repeated impact can lead to micro-trauma in their joints and bones, resulting in inflammation and long-term conditions like tendonitis or bursitis.

Circulatory Problems Horses rely on movement to circulate blood from their hooves back up their legs. On hard surfaces, this circulation can be less effective, leading to a condition known as “stocking up,” where fluid builds up in their legs. Over time, this can result in more severe circulatory problems.

Risk of Slipping and Injury City streets, especially when wet, can be slippery and increase the risk of horses slipping and falling. While shoes can provide some traction, they also limit the natural flexing of the hoof, making it harder for horses to maintain stability on slick surfaces.

Psychological Stress in Urban Environments
Beyond the physical toll, city life also places psychological stress on horses. In nature, horses are prey animals that rely on their heightened senses to remain alert for danger. Urban environments, with their constant noise, crowded streets, and unpredictable sounds, can overwhelm a horse’s natural instincts.

Sensory Overload City environments are full of noise from traffic, sirens, and crowds. While some horses may appear “trained” to city life, the constant over-stimulation can cause anxiety and stress. Over time, this forced desensitization can lead to a state known as “learned helplessness,” where horses appear calm but are actually mentally shut down as a coping mechanism.

Mental Fatigue Suppressing their natural instincts to flee from overwhelming stimuli leads to mental fatigue. This chronic stress can impact their overall well-being and, in some cases, manifest in behavioral issues or physical health deterioration.

Reconsidering Carriage Horses in Cities: A Call for Change

For generations, horses have been a part of Dublin’s history, helping to transport people and goods. However, as our understanding of animal welfare has evolved, it’s important to reconsider practices that may no longer be appropriate. The physical and psychological toll on horses working in busy urban environments raises concerns about whether this tradition can continue in a way that prioritizes their well-being.

Key Concerns:

Swelling, Pain, and Lameness: Horses working long hours on city streets often experience swelling in their joints and lower limbs, which can lead to lameness—a painful condition that affects their ability to walk and function properly.
Heavy Loads: Even without passengers, carriages can be heavy. Pulling these loads on hard surfaces places excessive strain on their bodies, particularly their muscles and joints.
Working Conditions: Horses are often required to work long hours, exposed to the elements and standing on hard surfaces between rides. Over time, this can cause premature aging and chronic health issues.

While horses have long been a part of urban life, it’s time to reconsider their role in cities like Dublin. The growing body of evidence shows that working on hard surfaces causes lasting damage to their physical and mental health. With modern transportation alternatives available, it’s no longer necessary to rely on horses in this way.

Banning horse-drawn carriages in urban areas is a practical step towards ensuring that horses are treated in a manner consistent with what we now understand about their needs. By acknowledging the science and taking action, we can move forward in a way that honors both tradition and the welfare of these incredible animals, allowing them to thrive in environments better suited to their nature.