I vacationed in Cozumel, Mexico recently, and was so very distraught to see the carriage horses hauling tourists all over town. While they would wait for their next group, they had to stand on the street, without shade or water. It was very hot and humid, and these horses were lathered and obvioulsy compromised. I cannot imagine how they even survive in the summer? I checked some of them out, while the owners sat in the shade, reading, the horses, baked in the sun. Many of them needed new shoes, and were thin. I could not even enjoy walking through town due to this depressing sight.. Many of the locals said it had been outlawed, yet continues anyway. They also told me that they don't get much water, so they do not have to go to the bathroom in the streets. I came home determined to help in some way. I joined a Facebook page called, No Calesas En Cozumel, and was relieved to find a group of activists commited to help these horses. I fault the tourists, that are vacationing there, many of them getting off the ships, as much as the owners of the horses. Perhaps they just don't realize just how very hard this is on them, day in, day out, traveling on asphalt, and not being able to drink even or even rest in the shade. If you travel to Cozumel, please do NOT make these poor horses haul you around, walk, take a cab or rent a scooter. Please sign this and share.
