Horses used in carriage tourism and draft work in urban and agricultural settings face welfare challenges including hard-surface impact on hooves and joints, heat stress, and inadequate rest that require specific management attention.
Carriage and draft horse welfare requires specific attention to the intersection of their work requirements with their physiological needs. Hoof and joint health on hard surfaces is a particular concern: the impact forces on concrete are substantially higher than on natural terrain, accelerating wear and stress injury in horses worked extensively on pavement. Heat stress management in urban environments requires proactive monitoring and access to water and shade during warm conditions. Well-managed carriage operations with regular veterinary oversight, appropriate working schedules, quality nutrition, and genuine rest provide acceptable welfare conditions; poorly managed operations with overwork, inadequate care, and distress from traffic represent genuine welfare failures.