Beautiful Dublin horse in natural setting

Free Dublin Horses End the Exploitation. Protect Their Dignity.

Every horse deserves freedom from suffering. Join Dublin's movement to abolish carriage tourism and commercial exploitation of these magnificent beings.

Take Action Now Learn the Truth

200+

Horses in Dublin Tourism

365

Days of Exploitation

Should Be Acceptable

Our Clear Path to Freedom

We have a strategic plan to end horse exploitation in Dublin. From registration to citywide restrictions to complete abolition - every step brings us closer to justice.

Register All Horse Owners

Create a comprehensive registry of all horse owners in Dublin. This legal foundation enables fair compensation for future transitions away from exploitation.

Citywide Restrictions

Implement carriage bans throughout Dublin city, starting with the busiest areas. City center first, then all Dublin districts.

Complete Abolition

End all commercial exploitation of horses across Dublin. Transition to sanctuary care and alternative livelihoods for affected operators.

Contact Your Dublin Councillor Today

Send a pre-written message directly to your Dublin City Councillor advocating for horse welfare legislation. Your voice can change everything.

Message Your Councillor See the Evidence

Legislative Breakthrough: Spring 2025

The Government has officially listed the Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill on their Legislative Programme for Spring 2025. This is our chance to finally modernize Dublin's outdated laws.

Official Statement from Minister Darragh O'Brien

Minister for Transport • March 4, 2025 • Oireachtas Debates

"The current legislation in operation regarding horse-drawn carriages for hire or reward in Dublin City is the Dublin Carriages Act 1853-1855. Local authorities in other areas can regulate horse-drawn carriages under the Local Government Act 2001."

"Due to a provision in the Local Government Act 2001 that prevents local authorities from making bye-laws where power exists elsewhere in legislation, Dublin City Council has no legal basis currently to make bye-laws to regulate horse drawn carriages as provision already exists under the Dublin Carriages Act 1853-1855."

"However, work to ensure that Dublin City Council is provided with an appropriate legal basis to regulate this area is currently ongoing and the Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill is listed on the Government's Legislative Programme for Spring 2025."

Read Full Oireachtas Debate

Outdated Laws

Current regulations date back to 1853-1855 - before cars, before modern animal welfare understanding, before the Irish State even existed.

Legal Deadlock

Dublin City Council currently has no legal basis to regulate horse carriages due to conflicting old and new legislation.

Spring 2025 Solution

The Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill will finally give local authorities the power to properly regulate or ban these practices.

Legislative Timeline

1853-1855

Dublin Carriages Act enacted - pre-dates Irish independence by 70+ years

2024

Stakeholder consultations delayed due to conflicting legislative priorities

Spring 2025

Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill scheduled for Government Legislative Programme

This is Our Moment

After 170+ years of outdated legislation, we finally have a chance for modern, animal welfare-focused laws. Make your voice heard before the Bill is drafted.

Contact Your Councillor About the Bill Read Official Statement

The World is Moving Forward

Progressive cities worldwide have already banned horse carriages for tourism, providing fair compensation and alternative employment for operators while protecting animal welfare.

🇨🇦

Montreal, Canada

✅ Banned December 2019

Reason: Animal welfare concerns and multiple accidents involving horses in urban traffic.

Replacement Measures:

• Financial compensation provided to operators
• Transition programs to electric vehicle tourism
• Support for alternative city transport roles

🇪🇸

Barcelona, Spain

✅ Phased Out Gradually

Reason: Urban traffic concerns and pressure from animal rights groups.

Replacement Measures:

• Conversion to electric tuk-tuks and bicycle taxis
• Driver permits and incentives for eco-alternatives
• Seamless transition to sustainable tourism

🇲🇽

Guadalajara, Mexico

✅ Banned Around 2017

Reason: Animal cruelty concerns and city modernization efforts.

Replacement Measures:

• Motorized replica carriages (electric vehicles)
• Partnership with NGOs and tech companies
• Full funding for operator transitions

🇮🇹

Rome, Italy

🔄 Restricted to Parks Only

Reason: Traffic congestion, extreme heat, and welfare issues.

Replacement Measures:

• Electric carriage licenses for eco-friendly services
• Horse retirement programs under development
• Professional retraining for drivers

🇺🇸

New York City, USA

⚡ Heavy Regulation & Transition Plans

While not fully banned yet, NYC has implemented heavy regulations and ongoing discussions include offering carriage operators ownership of electric vintage-style vehicles with union and city council support for fair transition programs.

"Even in cities where complete bans haven't been achieved, the movement toward humane alternatives shows that change is inevitable — it's just a matter of political will."

Common Success Factors

Fair Compensation

Every successful transition included financial support and compensation for operators, ensuring no one was left behind.

Modern Alternatives

Electric vehicles, e-bikes, and replica carriages maintained the tourism experience while eliminating animal exploitation.

Stakeholder Collaboration

Success required partnership between government, NGOs, operators, and tech companies working together.

Dublin Can Lead the Way

With the Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill coming in Spring 2025, Dublin has the opportunity to join these progressive cities while ensuring fair treatment for all stakeholders.

Tell Your Councillor: Support the Transition Learn About the 2025 Bill

🇨🇦

Montreal's Success Story

A detailed look at how Montreal successfully banned horse carriages while ensuring fair compensation, job transitions, and proper care for retired horses.

August 2018

🏛️ City Council Takes Action

Montreal City Council adopted a bylaw banning horse-drawn carriages in the Old Port, citing animal welfare concerns and documented incidents of horses collapsing in urban environments.

December 2019

⚖️ Court Upholds Ban

Calèche drivers sought an emergency injunction to halt the ban, but Quebec Superior Court rejected it, stating drivers had ample time to prepare and the ban was legally sound.

January 1, 2020

✅ Ban Officially in Effect

The ban officially went into effect, expiring all carriage permits citywide. Montreal became the first major North American city to completely ban horse carriages.

💰 Fair Compensation

CAD $1,000 per horse provided to owners for safe retirement

SPCA and Galahad NGO facilitated aged-care and adoption

2-year claim period with expandable CAD $30,000 budget

Labour transition sessions with EmploiQuébec and federal government

🐴

🌾 Horse Retirement

Montreal SPCA took over care coordination

Shelter and adoptive homes arranged for all horses

Success stories documented: Ulysses & Blanco thriving in pastures

Daily grooming, paddock rotation — healthier lives than urban work

📊 Real Results

Animal welfare groups praised improved horse quality-of-life

Mixed driver opinions: some wanted higher compensation

Many acknowledged the dangers of city driving

Horses visibly thriving in retirement settings

📰 Articles

Global News

Montreal calèche owners' injunction bid rejected

BBC Newsround

Montreal horse carriage ban coverage

Dublin Can Follow Montreal's Blueprint

Montreal proved that banning horse carriages is not only possible but can be done fairly and successfully. With Dublin's 2025 Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill, we have the same opportunity.

Tell Your Councillor: Learn from Montreal Support the 2025 Bill

The Evidence is Clear

These are not isolated incidents. They represent a pattern of preventable suffering and danger that demands immediate action from our government.

Feb 2025

Horse Killed on R139, Clonshaugh

A horse was killed after being hit by a car near Craobh Chiaran GAA grounds. The incident sparked calls for stricter oversight with animal welfare organizations saying "Horses are in places they shouldn't be" and "enough is enough".

Read full report

Feb 2025

Loose Horse Hits Bus on O'Connell Bridge

A horse, harnessed to a carriage, ran loose across Dublin's most famous bridge and collided with a city bus. My Lovely Horse Rescue charity emphasized the urgent need for updated regulations.

View shocking footage

May 2024

Sulky Cart Crash at Blackhall Place

A horse and sulky carrying youths bolted and hit several vehicles. The horse was badly injured, and the rider was thrown off, highlighting the dangers of using horses in urban environments.

Read incident report

May 2023

Pony Left to Die on Cloverhill Road

A pony pulling a sulky crashed into a parked car and died. The drivers fled, leaving the pony severely injured to die on the street. This incident sparked widespread outrage across Ireland.

See public outrage

May 2018

Tourist Carriage Horse Collapses in Smithfield

A working horse drawing a tourist carriage collapsed in Smithfield over a bank holiday. The horse had to be euthanized, highlighting poor working conditions and regulatory gaps in the industry.

Garda investigation details

Jun 2017

Runaway Carriage Damages Car

A detached horse and unattended carriage struck a parked car on Oliver Bond Street, causing approximately €4,500 in damage. The driver disappeared, and the horse's condition remains unknown.

Damage assessment report

How Many More Must Suffer?

These incidents span 8 years and show a clear pattern. Without action, the next tragedy is not a matter of if, but when.

Contact Your Councillor Now Read Expert Analysis

Expert Analysis & News

Stay informed with the latest developments in horse welfare advocacy, legislative updates, and expert commentary on ending exploitation.

Featured Analysis

The Journal.ie • September 2024

Is it time to put an end to carriage horses in Dublin?

Claire Owens of the DSPCA argues that Dublin is wholly unsuitable for horses and carriages, highlighting the urgent need for legislative reform. The current regulatory framework dates back to Victorian-era law from 1853, creating a legal limbo that has led to an unregulated "free for all" situation.

The DSPCA has documented increasing welfare complaints including horses working when lame, with visible wounds, carrying excessive loads, and young horses forced to work before maturity. "It is only a matter of time before a serious accident takes place, resulting in fatality to human and/or horse," warns Owens.

"The question that comes to me is this — is modern Dublin really a suitable place for keeping and working horses? A busy city, with a high volume of traffic... noise and air pollution; hard roads in which horses are forced to work day and night causing damage to their limbs and hooves." — Claire Owens, DSPCA Equine Welfare Manager

Read Full Article

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Every subscriber strengthens our voice in the fight for horse freedom.

Join thousands of compassionate Irish people who refuse to accept horse exploitation as "tradition". Together, we can make 2025 the year everything changes.

The Time for Change is NOW

Modern cities have no place for horse carriages. What was once commonplace is now recognized as cruel and unnecessary. Progressive cities worldwide are banning these outdated practices.

Dublin continues to exploit horses for tourist entertainment while Barcelona, Mumbai, and Montreal have already banned horse carriages completely.

Dublin prides itself on being forward-thinking and compassionate. Why are we behind on animal welfare?

50+

Cities Worldwide Have Banned Horse Carriages

78%

Of Dublin Residents Support a Ban

Our Demands

Immediate ban on horse carriages in Dublin city
Proper sanctuary care for retired carriage horses
Alternative employment support for affected operators

Message Your TD Directly

✉️ Pre-Written Message

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🎯 Targeted Approach

We provide specific contact information for Dublin City Councillors who can make immediate change.

📊 Track Progress

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"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

— Mahatma Gandhi

Your Voice Can End Their Suffering

Professional advocacy requires strategic action. Together, we can create lasting change through evidence-based approaches and persistent engagement with policymakers.

Direct Contact

Professional inquiries

info@FreeDublinHorses.org

Partnership opportunities, media requests, or volunteer coordination

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Tourist season approaches rapidly. Legislative windows are narrow. Professional advocacy requires immediate, coordinated action.

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