Istanbul bans carriage rides to protect the horses

Istanbul authorities announced a three-month ban on the carriage rides following mounting alarm over the welfare of the horses.

Up to 400 are dying on the islands a year from overwork and lack of care, a parliament committee reported in October, and activists say the real number is twice as high.

Citing disease, malnutrition and neglect, activists have called for the industry to be replaced with more humane — if less romantic — electric vehicles.

The Istanbul governor’s office has now taken notice, not only announcing the three-month ban but also saying that “illegal” stables would be demolished and new quarantine areas built to contain diseases.

The authorities were rushing to respond after news that 81 horses were buried in pits this week on the biggest island.

They died from glanders — a fatal respiratory disease — which has killed hundreds of horses since an outbreak began in 2017.

Despite the islands being under quarantine, activists say horses were still being brought by boat.

Via France 24