In the height of summer in Andalusia, temperatures often exceed 35 degrees, yet tourist horse-drawn carriages continue to circulate through the streets of Sevilla and Málaga. In the shade of orange trees by the Sevilla Cathedral, you can see horses and their owners, exhausted by the heat, waiting for clients even during the hottest hours.
Unlike in Sevilla and Málaga, Córdoba has had a special rule in place since 2018: when a yellow, orange, or red heat warning is issued, carriage operations are banned from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. No such restrictions exist in other cities, despite repeated appeals from animal welfare activists and public organizations.
Authorities in Sevilla have not introduced new requirements to protect animals from high temperatures. Representatives of Pacma note that the municipal regulation in effect since 2008 is outdated and does not reflect modern animal welfare standards. The document details the dress code for carriage drivers but does not mention any temperature restrictions or working conditions for the horses.
The situation in Málaga is developing differently: city authorities have decided to completely phase out horse-drawn carriages by 2026. Until then, there are no temporary restrictions on horses working in the heat.
The coach drivers in Córdoba themselves believe that time restrictions negatively impact their earnings, especially during the low season when there are few clients. They hope the situation will improve with the arrival of autumn. However, Pacma representatives claim that even the existing rules are often violated: there have been cases recorded when carriages were operating during prohibited hours.
Last year, the authorities in Sevilla tried to reach an agreement with the coach drivers for a temporary halt to work during the hottest hours, but no compromise was achieved. The drivers suggested using shade in the María Luisa Park or staying near the stables, where the temperature is significantly lower, but no official decision was made.
The Animal Protection Act, passed in Spain in 2023, does not apply to horses used in commercial activities. The Andalusian regional regulation also does not include specific requirements regarding temperature or working hours, limiting itself to basic provisions prohibiting the exploitation of sick or very young animals.
Pacma insists on the need to update municipal regulations. The organization proposes not only time restrictions but also setting standards for the maximum weight that horses can pull, as well as mandatory provision of water and shade for the animals.
In 2024, Pacma published a report documenting cases where horses worked for more than 13 hours straight without adequate rest or food, while temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. There have already been instances in Sevilla where animals died from heatstroke, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.
Coach drivers and their representatives claim they care for the horses and undergo regular veterinary checks. According to them, each driver must have at least three horses to ensure they are properly rested.
In Mijas (province of Málaga), after incidents of donkeys fainting while transporting tourists, local authorities introduced restrictions on working during periods of extreme heat. However, according to Pacma, even these measures are not always followed.
Animal rights activists believe the future lies with electric carriages, and public opinion is increasingly against the exploitation of animals in extreme heat. The issue of protecting horses in the tourism industry remains unresolved and demands new solutions at the municipal level.
